The freedom to let your cat leave and enter the house whenever it wants is a great way to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. A flap can aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it needs to.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap allows your pet to come and go whenever they want without opening the door for them. This is a great way to keep your pet in the house when you are away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests out of your.

You should measure the door to ensure you get the correct size cat flap. There are various sizes available. This ensures that you get the right size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it could be too small or large for your cat and he will be unable to use it.

Before you take any action but take a ruler and take measurements of the width of the door in various locations along its edge. Also, you should measure the height of the door in a few spots. This is because the door that is too high will cause your cat to do the gymnast's routine each time they want to use the flap!

Get help from a glazier if you aren't sure what to measure for the door. They'll be able to determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps and can advise you on what size flap to purchase.

After you've gotten your measurements, the next step to do is to mark the shape of the hole on the door. This will provide you with a guide when it comes to cutting the hole out and will help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you money in the end!

Make sure you make the hole in the correct location. If you're fitting a cat flap in a upvc door (Womans Days published an article) an apex flap to an outdoor door, it's important that the hole does not be too close to hinges. This could cause leakage or issues with the seal.

If you have glass doors it is best to leave this task to a professional glazier. It can be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. You may also find that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they please without you needing to leave them to themselves. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not healthy for your cat as well as you.

However, if you own a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These kinds of doors are often made with different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the process of installing them is quite different too. Be sure to check with the manufacturer if it is compatible before you install the cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could be detrimental to warranties.

Generally speaking, these types of doors are made to be tough and durable with insulation included. They are more resistant to elements than other kinds of doors, but it isn't easy to install the cat flap. If you're uncertain about whether your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional jointer prior to beginning.

To make sure that your cat can get through the door, you'll need take a measurement of their height. This is easiest if they are asleep or calm, so that they aren't moving around too much. Once you've established their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap bifold doors flap needs to go. Then, you can mark this spot on the door.

If your replacement upvc door panel with cat flap or composite door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium) it is important be extra cautious when cutting it using power tools. Drilling into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's advisable to hire an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap into the glass pane. This will stop the glass from breaking or becoming hard. A glazier will also be able to provide you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

A good quality cat flap comes with a template drawing that you can use to mark the spot on your door where the hole will go. If it doesn't, you can make one using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is the best choice). After the shape has been penciled on the door, use your spirit level to make sure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is properly positioned in the opening and won't slide open or close.

Then, you can use your jigsaw and cut the design that was written on the door. Make sure you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked as such, if not ask the staff at your DIY store for advice. Once the hole is cut then place the flap against it and then open it, making sure that the flap moves smoothly. If it binds at any point, use a filer or rasp to correct this.

Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you're going to cut through. The jigsaw may damage them. Also, be aware of any handles or other fittings on the door that must be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be cautious not to scratch these objects while cutting.

The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own have an ordinary solid uPVC front door, so they won't have to deal with these issues. If your door is made of timber or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed, it will add to the complexity of the task.

For these kinds of jobs, it's important to get advice from a cat flap fitter. It is essential to complete the job correctly to avoid future problems. Getting it wrong can result in the door becoming damaged and could cause the warranty to be invalidated.

Place the Flap

After you've made your hole drilled, put the flap on to check if it fits and opens easily. If you notice any spots that catch or stick, file them down with the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it fits properly and opens without issue. Make sure that the flap is flush with the door.

Some kits include an example of this, however, if it doesn't have a template, you can use a piece of thin paper instead - something similar to tracing paper. Lay the paper against the door and draw a line where you want to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, draw four screw holes in the corners of the flap - these will be the screws you'll use to put it in the right position.

The majority of uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. If your door is made of GRP or composite however, it could be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this then it may be advisable to hire an expert to complete the job for you. They will also be able to advise you on whether or not your particular door is suitable for installation of a cat flap cost flap.

You can install the cat flap onto composite doors. However, it's essential to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner before you do so as any alterations to these types of doors may invalidate the warranty. If you choose to do the work yourself, be aware that it can be messy and possibly dangerous task.

With composite doors, you'll usually require the aid of a saw or grinder to cut through the door's frame rather than simply through the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you'll have to be extra careful to not damage the door. It is important to note that it's more difficult to make holes in door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood door.