Notes

Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door
Allowing your cat to come and go out of the house at its own pace is a good idea to keep it physically and mentally active. A flap can help reduce accidents with toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the home when needed.

Take a look at the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to come and go at their own pace, without opening the door for them. This is ideal for keeping them in when you're at home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests out of your home too!

It is essential to take measurements of 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 right size for the door you have. In the event that it is not, it could be too large or too small and your cat might have trouble using it.

Get a ruler and determine the width at several locations along the edge of the door. Also, you should take measurements of the door's height in a few places. This is because the door that is too high could cause your cat to do an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they need to use the flap!

Ask a glazier for assistance if you aren't sure how to measure the door. They can determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and help you decide on the size of flap to purchase.

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

Make sure you make the hole in the right place. For instance, if installing the cat flap on a patio door, it is important that the hole doesn't sit too close to hinges, as this can cause leakage and problems with the seal.

It is best to delegate the job of installing a cat flap on glass doors to an experienced glazier. It may be difficult to fit a cat-flap into an existing pane. You might also discover that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap lets your pet to come and go as they please without you having to leave them alone. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not beneficial for your cat or you.

If you do have a uPVC or composite door it could be a challenge to put in the cat flap. These doors are made of different materials, and the way they are installed is different. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer if it is compatible before installing a cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Modifications can invalidate warranties.

Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are built to be durable and tough and have insulation built-in. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other doors, but they can be a challenge to insert the cat flap. Get advice from a professional before installing a cat flap on a uPVC door or composite.

You'll need to determine the height of your child to ensure they fit through the door. This will be easiest 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 to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should be. This position is marked on the door.

When you use power tools to cut your uPVC door or composite door, you will need be extra cautious. The act of drilling into metal can cause cracks, especially in the case of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire a glass installer when installing a cat flap in the pane. This will prevent the glass from shattering or becoming hard. A glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

If not then you can create one yourself by using a piece of paper (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you can make one using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is a good choice). After the shape is pencilled in on the door, then use a spirit level to make sure that the design is horizontal. This will allow your cat's flap to properly fit into the door and prevent it from being in a position to slide open or closed.

Then, you can use your jigsaw and cut out the shape marked on the door. Make sure you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked accordingly If not, ask the staff at your DIY store for assistance. Once the hole is cut, place the flap section against it and then open it to ensure that the flap moves easily. If it binds on any points then you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix it.

Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you plan to cut through. Your jigsaw could damage them. You should also be aware of any handles or other fixtures that are on the door which must be removed to fit the cat flap. Be careful not to cause damage to these items in the process.

The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own have a standard solid uPVC front door, so they will not have to face these problems. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed then this will make it more difficult to complete the task.

It is always worthwhile seeking professional assistance from a cat flap fitter for these kind of jobs as it is important to get the job done correctly to avoid potential issues in the future. It is important to get it right, as making the wrong choice could cause damage to the door and invalidate the warranty.

Place the Flap

Once you've got the hole drilled, place the flap in place to test whether it can be opened easily. If you spot any areas that catch or stick to the door, smooth them out using a hand file or sandpaper until it is a perfect fit and opens with no issues. Make sure that the flap is in a flush position with the door.

If your kit doesn't have an example, you could use thin paper like tracing or Acetate. Place the paper against the door and mark an area on which you'll need to position the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Draw four screw holes on every corner of the flap using the pencil marks you traced on the door. These are the screws you'll need to fix the flap to the door.

Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore simple to cut into. If your door is constructed of composite or GRP however, it could be more difficult. If you're not familiar in this area, it might be advisable to hire an expert to complete the work for you. They can also determine if your door is suitable to install an animal flap.


If you are planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, it is important to first check with the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to these doors may make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, bear in mind that this can be a messy job and may even be hazardous.

You'll need a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors more than only the GRP. Be aware that this can be a very hazardous job and you'll have to take extreme care not to hurt the door or yourself since it's extremely fragile. It is important to note that it's much more difficult to create holes in door glass than a uPVC door or a solid wood door.

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