The freedom to let your cat leave and enter the house as it pleases is a great method to keep your pet physically active and mentally engaged. A flap can help reduce toileting incidents by making it easier for cats to leave the home when necessary.

Measure the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they'd like without needing to open the door. This is ideal to keep them inside when you're at home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests from the home too!

It is essential to measure the door before you purchase a cat flap since there are different sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the proper size for your upvc doors. In the event that it is not, it could be too big or small, and your cat could have trouble using it.

Before you take any action however, you should take a ruler and take measurements of the length of the door in a variety of places along its edge. Also, you should determine the door's height in a few places. A door that is too high will cause your cat to do a gymnast routine every time it is tempted to use the flap.

Get help from a glazier if you aren't sure what to measure for the door. They will be able determine if your door is suitable for cat flap fitting flaps, and will give you advice on the right size flap you should purchase.

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

Make sure that you put holes in the right place. For example, if you're fitting a cat flap in a upvc door the cat flap in a patio door, it's important that the hole isn't too close to hinges, as this can cause leakage and problems with the seal.

It is recommended to leave the task of installing the cat flap onto the glass door to an experienced 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 leave and come back whenever they want, without needing to leave him all by himself. It can also stop draughts from entering your home, which isn't good for either you or your cat flap installer near me!

If you own a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install the cat flap. These doors are made of different materials and the process of installing them is different. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer if the door is compatible before installing a cat flap installer near me flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Changes to the door could cause warranty issues.

Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are designed to be durable and tough with insulation included. They are more resistant to the weather than other kinds of doors, however it isn't easy to install a cat flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap onto a uPVC door or composite.

You'll need to determine their height in order to ensure that they can fit through the door. This will be easiest if they are asleep or calm, so that they don't move around too often. Once you've determined their height, you can measure the distance between their stomach 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) you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it using power tools. The process of drilling into metal could cause cracks, particularly when the area is made of toughened glass. This is why it's recommended to engage an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap inside the glass pane. This will prevent the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole for the cat flap, which is less likely to break and is more secure for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

If it does not then you can create one yourself with a sheet of thin paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, you could create your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are perfect). After the shape is drawn on the door you can then use your spirit level to ensure that the design is horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to be properly seated in the opening and prevent it being capable of sliding open or closed.

Next, use your jigsaw, and cut the shape that has been written on the door. Use a blade designed specifically for uPVC door use. It is usually marked with this information. If not you can ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is made then place the flap against it and then open it, making sure that the flap is moving smoothly. If it binds at any point, you can use the filer or the rasp to fix this.

It is also important to ensure whether there are any electric gas or cable lines within the door you will be cutting through as they could be damaged by the jigsaw. Additionally, you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that will have to be removed to fit the cat flap. You should be cautious not to scratch them during the process.

The majority of people who install a cat flap themselves will have an ordinary solid uPVC door and so won't have to deal with any of these issues. If your door is made of wood or has a decorative piece that cannot be removed, this will complicate the job.

It is always worth seeking expert help from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs because it is important to get them right to avoid any potential problems in the future. It is essential to get it right as getting it wrong could damage the door and invalidate the warranty.

Fit the Flap

Once you've got the hole drilled, place the flap on to check whether it is able to open easily. If you notice any spots that stick or catch, file them down with an sandpaper or hand file until it fits correctly and opens with no issues. Be sure that the flap is flush with the door.

Some kits include a template for 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 to indicate the location where the flap is placed (this will serve as your 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 are the screw holes that you'll use to secure it in the correct position.

The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore simple to cut into. However, if your door is made of GRP or a composite, this may be more difficult. If you're not comfortable with this, it is recommended that you hire a professional. They will also be able determine if your door is suitable for installing an animal flap.

If you're planning to install a cat flap in composite doors, it is important to first check 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 tackle the work yourself, keep in mind that it could be a messy job and may even be hazardous.

With composite doors, you'll generally need to use a grinder or saw to cut through wall cat flap the door's frame rather than simply through the GRP. This is a potentially dangerous job, and you will have to be extra careful to ensure that the door is not damaged. It's also worth noting that cutting a hole into any kind of glass door is much more difficult than making the same changes in the case of a uPVC or solid timber door.