Allowing your cat to leave and enter the house whenever it wants is an excellent way to keep your pet physically active and mentally stimulated. Having a flap can also aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to exit the house when it needs to.

Take a look at the Door

A cat flap lets your pet come and go whenever they'd like without needing to open the door. This makes it ideal for keeping them in when you're home or away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of your home as well!

It is essential to measure the door to ensure that you get the correct size cat flap. There are various sizes available. This will ensure that you purchase the right size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it could be too small or large and your cat will have trouble using it.

Before doing anything but use a ruler to determine the width of the door in several places along its edges. You should also measure the door's height in a few places. A door that is too tall will cause your cat to do an acrobatics routine each time it is tempted to use the flap.

Ask a glazier for assistance in case you're not sure what to measure for the door. They'll be able assist you in determining whether or your door is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap you should purchase.

After you've gotten your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark the outline of the hole in the door. This will give you an idea of how to cutting the hole and will prevent you from making mistakes that could cost you money in the future!

Make sure you make the hole in the correct location. For instance, if installing the cat flap on the patio door, it is important that the hole is not too close to hinges, as this could cause leakage and problems with the seal.

It is best to delegate the installation of the cat flap onto the glass door to an experienced glazier. It may be difficult to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. It is also possible that it breaks and loses its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap allows your pet to move around whenever they like without having to leave them home alone. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which isn't healthy for you or your cat.

If you do have a uPVC or composite door, it may be difficult to install a cat flap. These types of doors are typically made with different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is different, too. Before you consider fitting an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible and that you have consulted the manufacturer because alterations could invalidate any warranties.

These doors are typically designed to last and are tough with insulation. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other doors, but they may be a challenge to insert the cat flap. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door will accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional joiner prior to starting.

To make sure that your cat can pass through the door, you'll need to determine their height. This is easier when they're asleep or calm, so that they're not moving around too often. Once you know their height, take a measurement of the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. You can then mark this position on the door.

If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either steel or aluminium) it is important be extra cautious when cutting it with power tools. The drilling process can make it crack, especially when the area is composed of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to employ an experienced glass installer to install the cat flap inside the pane. This will prevent the glass from shattering or becoming fragile. 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

If not then you can create one yourself using a sheet of paper that is thin (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you can make one yourself using a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). After the shape is drawn on the door, you can then use a spirit level to make sure that the shape is horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap sits properly in the door, and it will not slide open or close.

Then, you can use your jigsaw, and cut the shape that has been written on the door. Make sure you are using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked accordingly, if not ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. After the hole has been cut and the flap is placed against it and then open it, making sure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it becomes stuck at any point, you can use a filer or rasp to fix this.

Check that there aren't any electric or gas pipes within the door you plan to cut through. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. You should also be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are in the door, which will need to be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be careful not to scratch these objects while cutting.

cat flaps for french doors who install a cat flap on their own have a standard solid uPVC front door, meaning they won't have to deal with these issues. If composite door cat flap is constructed of wood or has a decorative element that cannot be removed, it will make the task.

For these types of jobs, it is worth getting expert guidance from a cat-flap fitting expert. It is essential to perform them correctly to avoid problems in the future. If you do it wrong, it could cause the door to be damaged and may make it impossible to honor the warranty.

Place the Flap

Once you've made your hole, you can place the flap to see whether it opens and is able to fit. If you spot any areas that stick or catch or stick, you can file them down using an sandpaper or hand file until it fits correctly and opens without any problems. Make sure that the flap sits flush with the door too.

Some kits come with an example of this, however, even if yours does not, you can use a piece of thin paper instead - something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper on the door and draw a line in order to indicate the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as a cutting guide). Then, using the pencil lines you've made on the door, mark out four screw holes in each corner of the flap. These will be the screws you'll use to fit the flap into the correct position.

Most uPVC doors are strong and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite, this can be more complicated. If you're unfamiliar in this area, it might be advisable to hire a professional to handle the work for you. They can also determine if your door is suitable for installing an animal flap.

It is possible to install an opening for a cat flap in composite doors, but it is important to verify with the manufacturer or a professional joiner first as any alterations to these types of doors may invalidate the warranty. If you do decide to complete the task yourself, be aware that this could be messy and hazardous task.

You'll need to use a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors, rather than only the GRP. Be aware that this could be very dangerous and you'll need to take extreme care not to damage the door or yourself as it is very fragile. It's important to remember that it's much more difficult to make holes in door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood door.
cat flaps for french doors