Allowing your cat to enter and go out of the house at their own pace is a great idea to keep it physically and mentally active. A flap can help reduce the frequency of accidents due to toilets, making it easier for your cat to leave the house if needed.

Measure the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to come and go as they please without having to open the door for them. This is a great method to keep your pet inside the house when you're away or at home. It also helps keep unwanted pests from entering.

It is important to measure the door to ensure that you have the right size cat flap. There are many sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the proper size for the door you have. Otherwise, it could be too large or small, and your cat could be unable to use it.

Before you take any action however, you should use a ruler to determine the width of the door in a variety of locations along its edge. Also, you should measure the door's height in a few places. This is because doors that are too high can cause your cat to perform an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they need to use the flap!

Get help from a glazier in case you're not sure how much to install a cat flap to measure the door. They can determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps, and will help you decide on the size of flap you should purchase.

Once you've got your measurements, the next thing to do is to mark the outline of the hole on the door. This will give you an outline to cutting the hole and will prevent you from making mistakes that could cost you money in the end!

Make sure to put holes in the right place. If you're fitting a cat flap to an outdoor door, it's important that the hole does not get too close to the hinges. This could lead to leakage or problems with the seal.

If you have a glass door, it might be best to let this job to a glazier. It can be very tricky to fit a cat flap into an existing pane of glass and you could be surprised to find that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap lets your pet move around as they want without you needing to leave him all by himself. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which isn't healthy for your cat as well as you.

However, if you own a uPVC or composite door, it can seem tricky to fit a cat flap. These doors are constructed of different materials and the process of installing them is different. Before you think about installing the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible and you have checked with the manufacturer because alterations could cause the warranty to be invalidated.

These doors are typically designed to last and are tough and have insulation. They are more resistant to the weather than other types of doors, but it isn't always easy to install an animal flap. Consult a professional before installing a cat flap installation cost near me flap onto a uPVC door or composite.

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

If your composite or uPVC door is made of metal (either aluminium or steel), you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it with power tools. The drilling process can make it crack, especially when the area is composed of toughened glass. This is the reason it's recommended to employ an experienced glazier when putting your cat flap inside the glass pane. This will prevent the glass from shattering or becoming fragile. A Glazier is also capable of providing you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

If it does not however, you can make one yourself using a sheet of paper (tracing paper is the best choice). If it doesn't, you could make your own using a thin sheet of paper (tracing papers are great). After the shape has been penciled in on the door, you can use your spirit level and ensure that it is horizontal. This will allow your cat flap to be properly seated in the opening and stop it from being in a position to slide open or close.

Then, you can use your jigsaw and cut the design that was marked on the door. Use a blade designed for uPVC door use. It will usually be marked with this information. If not you can ask the staff at your DIY store for help. Once you have the hole cut out then place the flap up against it and push it out to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it is bound at any point, use a filer or rasp to remove it.

Also, make sure whether there are any electric cables or gas pipes within the door you will be cutting into because they could be damaged by your Jigsaw. Similarly you should be aware of any handles or other door fixtures which will need to be removed to fit the cat flap. You should be careful not to damage them during this process.

Most people who install a cat flap on their own will have a standard solid uPVC front door, which means they will not have to face these issues. If your door is made of wood or has an ornamental panel that can't be removed, this could add to the complexity of the job.

It is always advisable to seek expert help from a cat flap fitter when it comes to these types of jobs as it is important to get the job done correctly to avoid potential issues in the future. It is crucial to get it right as getting it wrong could damage the door and void the warranty.

Fit the Flap

After you've made your hole cut, put the flap in place to test if it fits and is able to open easily. If you notice any points which catch or stick, use a hand file or sandpaper, to file them down until they are able to fit and can be opened without issue. Make sure that the flap is flush with the door too.

Some kits come with a template for this however, even if yours does not have a template, 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 where the flap should be placed (this will serve as your cutting guide). Make four screw holes on each corner of the flap with the pencil marks you made on the door. These are the screws you'll need to fix the flap to the door.

Most uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. However, if the door is made from GRP or a composite then this may be more difficult. If you're not experienced with this then it may be beneficial to engage a professional to handle the job for you. They will also be able to help you determine whether or not your door is suitable for cat flap installation.

You can install a cat flap into composite doors. However, it's essential to check with the manufacturers or a professional joiner prior to making any changes because any changes to these doors may invalidate the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, keep in mind that it could be a messy job and even dangerous.

You'll require a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors rather than just the GRP. This can be a dangerous job, and you will have to be extra careful to ensure that the door is not damaged. It's worth noting that it's much more difficult to cut holes in door glass than it is for a uPVC door or a solid wood doors.