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

Measure the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to move around at their own pace, without opening the door for them. This is a great way to keep your pet inside the house when you are away or at home. It also helps prevent unwanted pests from entering.

It is important to measure the door prior to when you purchase a cat flap since there are a variety of sizes available. This ensures that you get the correct size to fit inside your door made of upvc, otherwise, it could be too small or large, and your cat may have trouble using it.

Get a ruler and determine the width at several points along the edge of the door. Also, you should determine the height of the door in a few places. A door that is too tall will cause your cat to do an exercise routine every time it is tempted to use the flap.

If you're unsure of how to measure the door, it could be best to seek assistance from a glazier, or someone who is familiar with this kind of work regularly. They'll be able help you determine whether or not your door is suitable for a cat flap, and advise you on the right size of flap to buy.

Draw the shape of your hole on the door after you have taken the measurements. This will provide you with an outline to cutting the hole out and will prevent you from making an error that will cost you money in the future!

Make sure to put holes in the right location. If you're fitting a cat Flap in a Upvc door a cat flap to a patio door it is vital that the hole doesn't be too close to hinges. This could result in leakage or issues with the seal.

If you have glass doors it is best to let this job to a glazier. It isn't easy to install a cat-flap in an existing pane. It is also possible that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap installer flap allows your pet to move around as they want, without needing to leave him all by himself. It can also help to stop draughts from entering your house, which aren't bad for you or your cat!

If you own a uPVC door or composite, it may be difficult to install a cat flap in bifold doors flap. These doors are made from different materials and the installation is different. Make sure you check with the manufacturer if it is compatible before installing an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Modifications can cause warranty issues.

These doors are generally designed to be durable and tough and have insulation. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other types of doors, but they can be a challenge to insert an animal flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door can accommodate a cat flap, check with a professional joiner before beginning.

You'll need to determine their height in order to ensure that they can pass through the door. This is easier when they're asleep or calm so that they don't move around too often. Once you know their height you can measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine the position of the flap's bottom. This location is marked on the door.

When you use power tools to cut your composite or uPVC door, you need to be careful. The act of drilling into metal could cause cracks, especially if the area is toughened glass. This is why it's highly advisable to hire a glazier when installing your cat flap in glass. This will stop the glass from becoming brittle or shattering. A glazier can also supply you with a circular hole to use for the flap for your cat. This is less likely to crack and is safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

If not however, you can make one yourself by using a piece of paper (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you can make your own using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). Once the shape has been drawn in pencil on the door, you can then use your spirit level to ensure that the shape is horizontal. This will allow the cat flap to properly fit into the opening and stop it from being able to slide open or close.

Next, use your jigsaw and cut the design that was written on the door. Use a blade designed for uPVC door use. It will usually be marked with this information. If not then ask the staff at your DIY store for help. Once the hole is made and the flap is placed against it and then open it to ensure that the flap moves easily. If it is bound on any points then use a file or rasp to correct this.

Verify that there aren't gas or electric pipes inside the door you plan to cut into. Your jigsaw could damage them. Be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are on the door which must be removed in order to install the cat flaps flap. Be cautious not to scratch these objects while cutting.

Most people who install the cat flap themselves have a standard solid uPVC door and will not have to worry about any of these problems. But, if your door is made of timber or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed then this will add to the complexity of the job.

For these types of jobs, it's worth getting expert advice from a cat-flap fitter. It is crucial to complete the job correctly to avoid future problems. It is crucial to get it right as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and invalidate the warranty.

Place the Flap

After you've made the hole drilled, place the flap on to see if it fits and opens easily. If you spot any areas that stick or catch or stick, you can file them down using the aid of a hand file or sandpaper until it fits correctly and opens with no issues. Make sure the flap is flush with the door too.

Some kits include an example of this, however, even if yours does not 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 in order to indicate where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Make four screw holes at every corner of the flap with the pencil marks you made on the door. These are the screw points that will be used to secure the flap to the door.

Most uPVC door are solid and easy to cut. If your door is constructed of GRP or composite however, it could be more difficult. If you're not comfortable with this, it's best to hire a professional. They will also be able inform you if the door is suitable for the installation of an animal flap.

If you are planning to install a cat flap installation flap into composite doors, it is essential to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any modifications made to these doors may cause the warranty to be void. If you decide to do the work yourself, keep in mind that this can be messy and even dangerous.

When you have composite doors, you'll usually need to use a grinder or saw to cut through the door's panel instead of just cutting through the GRP. Be aware that this could be very dangerous and you'll need to take extreme care not to hurt the door or yourself as it's extremely fragile. It's worth noting that it is much more difficult to create holes in door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood door.