Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door The ability of your cat to come and go from the house at its own pace is a great idea to keep it physically and mentally engaged. Having a flap can also aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house whenever it wants to.

Take a look at the Door

A cat flap lets your pet to come and go as they please without opening the door for them. This is a great method to keep your pet safe in the home when you are away or at home. It also helps to keep unwanted pests from getting into your.

It's important to measure the door prior to when you purchase a cat flap as there are various sizes available. This ensures you get the correct size to fit into your upvc door, otherwise, it could be too small or large and your cat will have trouble using it.

Get a ruler and determine the width at several places along the edges of the door. You should also take measurements of the height of the door in a few spots. This is because the door that is too high will cause your cat to perform an exercise routine like a gymnast every time they want to use the flap!

If you're not sure of how to measure the door, it could be a good idea to seek help from a glazier or someone who is familiar with this type of work frequently. They will be able determine if your door is suitable for cat flaps, and will advise you on what size flap to purchase.

Draw the outline of your hole on the door after you have taken the measurements. This will assist you when you cut the hole and save you money!

It is also important to ensure that the hole you're making is in the right place. If you are fitting an apex flap to an outdoor door, it's important that the hole does not be too close to hinges. This could cause leakage or issues with the seal.

If you have a glass door, it might be best to delegate this task to a glazier. It can be difficult to fit the cat flap onto an existing glass pane and you might 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 want, without needing to leave him alone. It can also prevent draughts entering your home, which is not good for your cat as well as you.

However, if you own a uPVC or composite door, it may be difficult to install the cat flap. These kinds of doors are often made with different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors, and the installation process is different as well. Before you decide to install the cat flap on your uPVC or composite door, be sure that it's compatible, and you have checked with the manufacturers as alterations may invalidate any warranties.

Generally speaking, these kinds of doors are designed to be durable and tough with insulation included. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other types of doors, but they may be difficult to fit an animal flap. If you're not sure if your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional joiner prior to beginning.

To ensure that your cat can get through the door, you'll need determine their height. It's easiest to measure their height when they are at peace or asleep, which means they aren't moving around. Once you know their height, you can measure the distance from their stomach to the floor in order to determine the location of the flap's bottom. This position is marked on the door.

If your composite or uPVC door is made from metal (either aluminium or steel), you'll need to be extremely cautious when cutting it with power tools. The act of drilling into metal can cause cracks, especially in the case of toughened glass. It is recommended to hire an experienced glass installer to install an e-cat flap on the pane. This will stop the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A Glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap hole that is less likely to break and safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

If it doesn't however, you can make one yourself using a sheet of paper that is thin (tracing paper is ideal). If it doesn't, you could create your own using a thin piece of paper (tracing papers are ideal). Once the shape has been drawn on the door, utilize your spirit level to make sure that it is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is positioned correctly in the opening and won't slide open or close.

Next, take your jigsaw, and cut the shape that has been drawn on the door. Make sure you are using a blade that is suitable for use on uPVC doors - usually it will be marked as such If not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once you have the hole drilled then place the flap up against it and push it open to ensure that the action of the flap is smooth. If it binds at any point, you can use a filer or rasp to fix this.

You should also check whether there are any electric gas or cable lines within the door you will be cutting through, since they could be damaged by the Jigsaw. Also, be aware of any handles or other door fixtures that will have to be removed to make room for the cat flap and be careful not to damage them during the process.

Most people who fit the cat flap themselves have a standard solid uPVC door, and therefore won't have to deal with any of these problems. However, if your door is made from timber or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed, it will make it more difficult to complete the task.

For these types of jobs, it's important to get guidance from a cat-flap fitting expert. It is crucial to complete the job correctly to avoid problems in the future. It is essential to get it right as doing it wrong can damage the door and void the warranty.

Install the Flap

After you've made the hole drilled, place the flap on to test whether it is able to open easily. If you find any points that catch or stick to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to file them down until they are able to fit and open without difficulty. Make sure the flap is in line with the door.


If your tool doesn't have templates, you can use thin paper like tracing or Acetate. 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). Then using the pencil lines you've drawn on the door, draw four screw holes in each corner of the flap. These will be the screws you'll use to put the flap into the correct position.

Most uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. If the door is made of composite or GRP the process can be more difficult. If you're not experienced with this then it may be beneficial to engage a professional to handle the work for you. They can also determine if your door is suitable for the installation of a cat flap.

If you're planning to install a cat flap in composite doors, it is important to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to these doors could invalidate the warranty. If you decide to tackle the work yourself, keep in mind that it could be messy and even dangerous.

cat flap fitters 'll need a saw or grinder to cut through composite doors, rather than only the GRP. Be aware that this could be a very hazardous job and you'll need to take extreme care not to hurt the door or yourself, as it is extremely fragile. It's worth noting that it is much more difficult to create the door glass than it is for a uPVC door or a solid wood door.