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Allowing your cat to enter and go out of the home at its own pace is a good idea to keep it physically and mentally active. Having a flap can also aid in reducing accidents due to toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the house whenever it wants to.

Take a look at the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they'd like without needing to open the door. This makes it perfect to keep them inside when you're home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of the house as well!

It is important to measure the door prior to when you buy a cat flap since there are various sizes available. cat flap installer is then possible to ensure that the cat flap is the proper size for your door made of upvc. In the event that it is not, it could be too large or too small and your cat might have difficulty using it.

Take a ruler, and determine the width at several points along the edge of the door. Also, you should measure the door's height in a couple of places. This is because the door that is too high will cause your cat to do an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they use the flap!

Ask a glazier for help when you're unsure of what to measure for the door. They'll be able assist you in determining whether the door you have is suitable for a cat flap, and advise you on the right size of flap to purchase.

Draw the outline of the hole on the door after you have taken your measurements. This will help you when cutting the hole, and will save you money!

You must also ensure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. If you're fitting an apex flap to the patio door, it is crucial that the hole does not be too close to hinges. This could cause leakage or issues with the seal.

If you have an opening made of glass, it might be best to delegate this task to a professional glazier. It isn't easy to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. It is also possible that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap permits your pet to move around whenever they like without needing to leave them alone. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not good for your cat as well as you.

If you do have a uPVC or composite door, it could be a challenge to put in the cat flap. These doors are made from different materials and the process of installing them is different. Before you decide to install the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible and you have checked with the manufacturer because alterations could invalidate any warranties.

These doors are typically designed to be durable and tough with insulation. This makes them more resistant to elements of the weather than other doors, but they can be difficult to fit a cat flap into. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap onto the uPVC door or composite.

You'll need to determine the height of your child to make sure they fit through the door. This is easiest if they are asleep or calm, so that they don't move around too often. Once you have their height you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine the location of the flap's bottom. This position is marked on the door.





If your composite or uPVC door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium) it is important be extra cautious when cutting it with power tools. The drilling process can make cracks, particularly if the area is made of toughened glass. This is the reason it's advisable to hire a glazier when installing your cat flap into the glass pane. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier will also provide you with a circular hole for the flap for your cat. This is less likely to break and is safer for your kitty to use.

Cut the Hole

A good quality cat flap comes with a template drawing that you can use to mark the location on your door where the hole should go. If it does not then you can make one yourself using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is ideal). Once the shape has been drawn in pencil on the door, you can then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will allow your cat flap to be properly seated in the opening and stop it from being able to slide open or close.

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

Check that there aren't any electric or gas pipes within the door you're planning to cut through. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. You should also be aware of any handles or other fittings in the door, which must be removed to accommodate the cat flap. Be careful not to damage these items in the process.

Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have a standard solid uPVC front door, which means they won't have to deal with these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative part that is not easily removed, this can make the job.

It is always worth seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs because it is important to get the job done correctly to avoid potential problems in the future. If you do it wrong, it could lead to the door being damaged and could make it impossible to honor the warranty.

Fit the Flap

Once you've made your hole, you can place the flap and check if it opens and is able to fit. If you find any points which catch or stick or stick, use a hand-file or sandpaper, to file them down until they are able to fit and can be opened without issue. Make sure the flap is flush with the door.

Some kits include templates for this, however, if it doesn't, 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 will need to place the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, draw four screw holes in each corner of the flap. These will be the screw points you'll use to fit it in the correct position.

Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. If your door is made of GRP or composite however, it could be more difficult. If you're not comfortable with this, it's best to hire an expert. They will also be able to advise you on whether or not your particular door is suitable for cat flap installation.

You can fit the cat flap onto composite doors. However, it's essential to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner first as any alterations to these doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to complete the work yourself, keep in mind that this can be messy and may even be hazardous.

You'll need to use a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors, rather than just the GRP. Be aware that this can be a very hazardous job and you'll need to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself as it is extremely fragile. It's important to remember that cutting a hole in any kind of glass door is far more difficult than making the same changes in the case of a uPVC or solid wood door.