The ability of your cat to come and go out of the home at their own pace is a great idea to keep it physically and mentally active. A flap can aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it is required to.

Measure the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to come and go as they please without having to open the door for them. This makes it perfect for keeping them in when you're home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests out of the house as well!

It is important to measure the door prior to when you purchase the cat flap installation bristol flap, as there are different sizes available. This ensures you get the right size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it might be too small or large and your cat will be unable to use it.

Before you take any action however, you should take a ruler and determine the length of the door in several locations along its edge. Also, you should determine the height of the door in a few places. This is because a door that is too high will cause your fitting cat flap in upvc door panel to perform the gymnast's routine each time they need to use the flap!

If you're not sure of how to measure the door, it may be best to ask for assistance from a glazier, or someone who is familiar with this type of work regularly. They should be able to help you determine whether or not your door is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap to buy.

When you've got your measurements, the next step to do is to mark the shape of the hole in the door. This will aid you when cutting the hole and will save you money!

It is also important to ensure that the hole you're making is in the correct place. If you are Fitting a cat flap In A upvc door an apex flap to an outdoor door, it's vital that the hole doesn't reach too close to the hinges. This could result in leakage or problems with the seal.

It is best to delegate the job of installing a cat flap on glass doors to an experienced glazier. It can be difficult to fit the cat flap onto an existing pane of glass, and you may find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they wish without having to leave him home alone. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not good for your cat as well as you.

If you have a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made of different materials and the installation is different. Before you decide to install the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible, and that you have consulted the manufacturer as any modifications could affect any warranties.

Generally speaking, these types of doors are built to be tough and durable, with insulation built in. They are more resistant to elements than other kinds of doors, however it can be difficult to install an animal flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap onto a uPVC door or fitting a cat flap in a Upvc door composite.

You'll need to determine their height in order to make sure they pass through the door. This is easiest if they are asleep or calm, so that they're not moving around too much. Once you've established their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should be. This location is marked on the door.

When you use power tools to cut your uPVC or composite door, you have be extra cautious. Drilling into metal can cause it crack, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to employ an experienced glass installer to install the cat flap inside the pane. This will stop the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A Glazier will also be able to provide you with a cat flap hole that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

A good cat flap will come with a drawing template that can be used to mark the location on your door where the hole will go. If it does not then you can create one by using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is a good choice). After the shape is drawn in pencil on the door, then use your spirit level to make sure that the design is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap sits properly in the opening, and it will not slide open or close.

Next, use your jigsaw and cut the shape drawn on the door. Make sure that you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked as such, if not ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once you have the hole cut out and the flap section is in place, put it up against it and push it open to make sure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it binds at any point, make use of a file or a rasp to correct this.

You should also check that there are no electric cables or gas pipes within the door that you will be cutting through, because they could be damaged by the Jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that need to be removed to fit the cat flap and be cautious not to scratch them in the process.

The majority of people who install the cat flap themselves have the standard solid uPVC door and so will not be dealing with any of these issues. However, if your door is constructed of timber or has decorative panels that cannot be removed then this will make it more difficult to complete the task.

It is always worth seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs because it is crucial to get the job done correctly to avoid possible issues in the future. It is important to get it right, as getting it wrong could damage the door and void the warranty.

Fit the Flap

After you've made your hole cut, put the flap on to check whether it will fit and can be opened easily. If you notice any points that stick or catch or stick, use a hand-file or sandpaper to file them down until they fit properly and open without any problems. Make sure that the flap is in line with the door.

Some kits include templates for this, however, even if yours does not have a template, you can use a piece of thin paper instead - something like tracing paper ideally. Lay the paper against the door and mark a line where you need to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've made on the door, draw four screw holes in the corners of the flap - these will be the screw points you'll use to put the flap into place.

Most replacement upvc door panels with cat flap doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP the process can be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it's recommended that you hire an expert. They can also provide you with advice on whether or not your particular door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.

If you are planning to install a cat flap in composite doors, you need to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any alterations made to the doors could cause the warranty to be void. If you do decide to carry out the work yourself, be aware that it can be messy and hazardous task.

You'll require a grinder or saw to cut through composite doors rather than just the GRP. Be aware that this could be extremely dangerous work and you'll need to take great care not to harm the door or yourself, as it's extremely fragile. It's worth noting that it's more difficult to create a hole in a door glass than a uPVC door or solid wood door.