Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door Allowing your cat to enter and go from the house at its own pace is a good idea to keep it physically and mentally stimulated. A flap can aid in reducing accidents with toilets by making it easier for your cat to leave the home when required.

Take a look at the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to leave and come back whenever they want without you having to open the door. This is ideal to keep them inside when you're at home or away, and helps keep unwanted pests out of your home as well!

It is important to measure the door before you purchase a cat flap as there are a variety of sizes available. It is then possible to ensure that the cat flap is the right size for your upvc doors. Otherwise, it could be too large or small, and your cat could have trouble using it.

Take a ruler, and determine the width at several points along the edge of the door. You should also measure the door's height in a few places. A door that is too high will cause your cat to do an acrobatics routine each time it wants to use the flap.

Get help from a glazier if you aren't sure how to measure the door. They will be able to assist you in determining whether the door you have is suitable for a cat flap, and help you decide on the best size of flap to buy.

After you've gotten 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 out and will stop you from making an error that will cost you money in the end!

It is also important to ensure that the hole you're creating is in the right place. If you're installing the cat flap onto the patio door, it is vital that the hole doesn't get too close to the hinges. This could result in leakage or problems with the seal.

It is recommended to leave the task of installing a cat flap on a glass door to an experienced glazier. It may be difficult to install a cat-flap within an existing pane. It is also possible that it cracks and loses its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap permits your pet to go and come whenever they want without having to leave them on their own. It can also help to stop draughts from entering your home, which isn't good for either you or your cat!

If you own a uPVC door or composite, it might be difficult to install a cat flap. These kinds of doors are usually constructed from different materials than traditional wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different, too. Before you think about installing an egress flap to your uPVC or composite door, ensure that it's compatible, and you have checked with the manufacturers as alterations may invalidate any warranties.

These doors are generally designed to be durable and tough with insulation. This makes them more resistant to the elements of weather than other types of doors, but they may be a challenge to insert a cat flap into. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door is able to accommodate the cat flap, make sure you consult with a professional joiner prior to beginning.

You'll need to take their height in order to make sure they fit through the door. It's easiest to measure their height when they're calm or asleep, so that they aren't moving around. Once you've established their height, you can measure the distance between their stomach and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should go. 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 using power tools. The process of drilling into the metal may cause cracks, especially in the case of toughened glass. It is highly recommended to hire an experienced glass installer to install a cat flap in a pane. This will stop the glass from breaking and becoming brittle. A Glazier will also be in a position to provide you with a circular cat flap hole that is less likely to break and is safer for your cat to use.

Cut the Hole

A high-quality cat flap should come with a template that can be used to mark the spot on your door where the hole will be. If it doesn't, you can create one by using the thin paper (tracing paper is ideal). Once the shape has been pencilled in on the door you can then use your spirit level to make sure that the design is horizontal. This will ensure that the cat flap is properly positioned in the door, and it will not open or close.

Then, you can use your jigsaw and cut out the design that was written 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 the hole is made then place the flap against it and open it, making sure that the flap moves smoothly. If it is bound on any points then you can use a file or a sandpaper to fix it.

Check that there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you're planning to cut through. Your jigsaw could damage them. Be aware of any handles, or other fixtures that are on the door that must be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be cautious not to damage these items in the process.

The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have an ordinary solid uPVC door and so will not have to worry about any of these issues. If your door is constructed of wood or has a decorative element that is not easily removed, it will make the job.

For these kinds of jobs, it's recommended to seek out expert advice from a cat flap fitter. It is crucial to do them correctly to avoid future problems. Making the wrong choice could cause the door to be damaged and could invalidate the warranty.

Install this website

Once you've got your hole drilled, put the flap in place to check whether it is able to open easily. If you find any points that stick or catch to the wall, use a hand file or sandpaper to smooth them down until they fit properly and open without difficulty. Make sure the flap is in line with the door.

If your kit doesn't have a template, you can use thin paper like tracing or acetate. Place the paper on the door and draw an area on which you'll want to position the flap (this will serve as your cutting guide). Mark four screw holes at each corner of the flap with the pencil marks you created on the door. These are the screw points that you'll need to fix the flap in place.

The majority of uPVC doors are sturdy and easy to cut. However, if your door is made from GRP or a composite, this may be more difficult. If you're not experienced in this area, it might be beneficial to engage an expert to complete the job for you. They can also determine if your door is suitable for installing a cat flap.

If you are planning to install a cat flap into composite doors, you need to first confirm the manufacturer or a professional joiner. Any changes made to the doors could make it impossible to honor the warranty. If you decide to complete the work yourself, keep in mind that this can be messy and may even be hazardous.


With composite doors, you'll typically require the aid of a saw or grinder to cut through the door's panel instead of just cutting through the GRP. Be aware that this can be extremely dangerous work and you'll have to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself since it is extremely fragile. It's worth noting that it's much more difficult to make a hole in a door glass than it is for a uPVC door or solid wood door.