Allowing your cat to go in and out of the house as it pleases is an excellent way to keep your pet active and mentally stimulated. Having cat flap install can also aid in reducing accidents due to toilets by making it easier for your cat to exit the house whenever it wants to.

Take a look at the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they want without you having to open the door. This makes it ideal to keep them inside when you're at home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests out of your home too!

It is essential to measure the door to ensure that you get the correct size cat flap. There are a variety of sizes available. This ensures that you get the correct size to fit into your upvc door, otherwise, it could be too small or large for your cat and he will struggle to use it.

Use a ruler to take measurements of the width at various points along the edge of the door. Also, determine the door's height in a few spots. A door that is too high will make your cat do a gymnast routine every time it wants to use the flap.

Ask a glazier for help if you aren't sure what to measure for the door. They will be able determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and can help you decide on the size of flap to buy.

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

Make sure that you put holes in the right location. If you are fitting an apex flap to an outdoor door, it's crucial that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could cause leakage or problems with the seal.

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

Measure the Cat

A cat flap lets your pet to move around as they please without you needing to leave them to themselves. It also helps stop the draughts from entering your house, which aren't good for either you or your cat!

If you do have a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. These doors are made of different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Before you think about installing a cat flap in your uPVC or composite door, be sure that it's compatible, and that you've checked with the manufacturer as any modifications could cause the warranty to be invalidated.

They are designed to be tough and durable and have insulation. They are more resistant to the weather than other kinds of doors, but it can be difficult to install a cat flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on the uPVC door or composite.

To ensure that your cat is able to get through the door, you'll need measure their height. This is easier when they're asleep or calm, so that they aren't moving around too much. Once you have their height you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor in order to determine the location of the flap's bottom. This position can be marked on the door.

When you use power tools to cut your uPVC or composite door, you will need to be careful. Drilling into metal can cause cracks, especially if the area is composed of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire a glass installer when installing a cat flap in a pane. This will prevent the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat, which will be less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

A good cat flap will come with a template that you can use to mark the location on your door where the hole needs to go. If it doesn't, you could create your own using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). Once the shape has been penciled on the door, you can use your spirit level and make sure it's horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to be properly seated in the opening and prevent it being able to slide open or closed.

Then, you can make use of a jigsaw to cut out the shape marked on the door. Make cat flap install that you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked as such however, if not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once you have the hole drilled and the flap section is in place, put it against it and then push it open to ensure that the flap's action is smooth. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or rasp to fix this.

Verify that there aren't electric or gas pipes in the door you plan to cut through. Your jigsaw could cause damage to them. Additionally, you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that will have to be removed to install the cat flap. Be careful not to damage them during this process.

Most people who install the cat flap themselves have the standard solid uPVC door and will not be dealing with any of these problems. But, if your door is made from timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, it will add to the complexity of the task.

It is always worthwhile seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kinds of jobs because it is essential to do them done right to avoid possible issues in the future. It is important to do it right because getting it wrong could damage the door and void the warranty.

Fit the Flap

After you've made your hole drilled, put the flap in place to test whether it can be opened easily. If you find any points that stick or catch to the door, smooth them out using the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it is a perfect fit and opens without any problems. Make sure the flap sits flush with the door too.

Some kits include an example of this, however, if it doesn't have a template, you can use a piece or thin paper instead, something similar to tracing paper. Place the paper on the door and draw a line to show the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Then using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, mark four screw holes in each corner of the flap. These will be the screw points that you'll use to secure it in place.

The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore quite straightforward to cut into. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP however, it could be more difficult. If you're not familiar with this, it is recommended that you hire an expert. They should also be able to help you determine whether or not your specific door is suitable for installation of a cat flap.

If you want to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is essential to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors may invalidate the warranty. If you decide to complete the work yourself, bear in mind that this can be a messy job and could be dangerous.

When you have composite doors, you'll typically require a saw or grinder to cut through the door's frame rather than simply through the GRP. This is a risky job, and you will need to take extra care to avoid damaging the door. It's important to remember that cutting holes into any type of door glass is a lot more difficult than making the same modification in a uPVC or solid timber door.
cat flap install