Allowing your cat to leave and enter the house whenever it wants is an excellent way to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. 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 measurement of the door

A cat flap lets your pet to move around whenever they want without opening the door for them. This is ideal to keep them in the house the home when you're away and helps to keep unwanted pests out of the home as well!

It's important to measure the door prior to when you buy a cat flap since there are different sizes available. This ensures that you get the right size to fit into your upvc door, otherwise, it might be too small or large for your cat and he will struggle to use it.

Before you take any action however, you should use a ruler to measure the length of the door in a variety of places along its edge. You should also take measurements of the door's height in a few places. A door that is too high will make your cat do an exercise routine every time it uses the flap.

Get help from a glazier 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 help you decide on the size of flap to purchase.

Draw the outline of your hole on the door once you have your measurements. This will give you an outline to cutting the hole and will stop you from making an error that will cost you money in the long run!

You must also ensure that the hole you're making is in the correct place. For instance, if installing the cat flap on a patio door, it's important that the hole is not too close to hinges, as this can cause leakage and damage to the seal.

If you have glass doors, it might be best to let this job to a glazier. It can be very tricky to install a cat flap inside the glass pane and you could be surprised to find that the process causes it to break and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap allows your pet to move around as they wish without having to leave him home alone. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which isn't beneficial for your cat or you.

If you have a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made from different materials and the installation is different. Be sure to check with the manufacturer if the door is compatible prior to installing an uPVC cat flap on your upvc door panels with cat flap composite or uPVC door. Modifications can invalidate warranties.

These doors are generally designed to be durable and tough and have insulation. They are more resistant to weather than other types of doors, however it isn't easy to install a cat flap. If you're uncertain about whether your replacement upvc door panels with cat flap or composite door can accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional joiner prior to beginning.

You'll need to take the height of your child to ensure that they can fit through the door. This is easier if they are sleeping or calm, so that they aren't moving around too much. Once you've established their height, you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. This location is marked on the door.

When using power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you will need be cautious. The process of drilling into metal could cause cracks, especially when the area is made of toughened glass. This is the reason it's recommended to employ an expert glazier to install your cat flap inside a pane of glass. This will prevent the glass from breaking or becoming brittle. A glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a 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 area on your door where the hole will go. If it doesn't, make your own with a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are perfect). After the shape is pencilled in on the door, then use a spirit level to ensure that the design is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap sits properly in the door, and it will not open or close.

Next, take your jigsaw, and cut the shape written on the door. Make sure you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors with cat flap - usually it will be marked accordingly If not, ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. After the hole has been cut and the flap is placed against it and then open it to make sure the flap moves easily. If it binds on any points then use a file or rasp to fix it.

You should also check whether there are any electric cables or gas pipes within the door you'll be cutting through, because they could be damaged by the jigsaw. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that need to be removed to install the cat flap and be careful not to harm them during the process.

The majority of people who install a cat flap themselves will have the standard solid uPVC door, and therefore won't have to deal with any of these problems. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative part that cannot be removed, it will make the job.

For these types of jobs, it's worth getting expert guidance from a cat-flap fitting A Cat flap in a upvc Door expert. It is important to complete the job correctly to avoid any future issues. It is important to do it right because getting it wrong could damage the door and void the warranty.

Place the Flap

Once you've made your hole, you can place the flap to check whether it opens and is able to fit. If you spot any areas that stick or catch to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to file them down until they fit perfectly and open without difficulty. Make sure that the flap is flush with the door too.

Some kits include templates for this, however, if it doesn't provide a template, you could use a piece of thin paper instead, something like tracing paper ideally. Lay the paper against the door and draw a line where you need to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Draw four screw holes at every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you created on the door. These are the screw holes you'll need to fix the flap in place.

Most uPVC doors are strong and therefore simple to cut into. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite, this can be more complicated. If you're not familiar with this, it is recommended to consult a professional. They will also be able to advise you on whether or not your specific door is suitable for cat flap installation.

If you're planning to install a cat flap on composite doors, you need to first consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors may make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to complete the work yourself, bear in mind that this can be messy and could be dangerous.

For composite doors, you'll usually require a grinder or saw to cut through the door's panel rather than just through the GRP. This is a risky job, and you will need to take extra care to avoid damaging the door. It's also important to note that cutting a hole in any kind of glass door is far more difficult than making the same change in the case of a uPVC or solid wooden door.