Fitting a Cat Flap in a UPVC Door Allowing your cat to go in and out of the house at will is a great method to keep your pet active and mentally engaged. A flap can aid in reducing toilet accidents by making it easier for your cat to leave the house when it needs to.

Measure the Door

A cat flap lets your pet to move around as they please without having to open the door for them. This makes it perfect for keeping them in when you're at home or away and helps keep unwanted pests from the home as well!


It is essential to measure the door to ensure that you get the correct size cat flap. There are many sizes available. You can then ensure that the cat flap is the correct size for your door made of upvc. Otherwise, it may be too big or small and your cat may have difficulty using it.

Before you do anything but use a ruler to take measurements of the length of the door in several locations along its edge. You should also measure the door's height in a couple of places. A door that is too high will cause your cat to do an acrobatics routine each time it uses the flap.

Ask a glazier for help when you're unsure of what to measure for the door. They will be able determine whether your door is suitable for cat flaps and can help you decide on the size of flap to purchase.

Draw the outline of the hole on your door once you have your measurements. This will provide you with a guide when it comes to cutting the hole and will help you avoid making mistakes that could cost you money in the end!

You should also make sure that the hole you're making is placed in the right spot. If you're installing the cat flap onto a patio door it is crucial that the hole doesn't be too close to hinges. This could cause leakage or issues with the seal.

It is best to leave the installation of the cat flap onto the glass door to a professional glazier. It can be very tricky to install a cat flap into an existing glass pane and you could find that the process causes it to crack and lose its weatherproof seal.

Measure the Cat

A cat flap allows your pet to move around whenever they want without having to leave them home to themselves. It can also stop draughts entering your home, which is not healthy for your cat or you.

However, if you own a uPVC or composite door it can seem tricky to fit the cat flap. These types of doors are usually constructed of different materials than standard wooden or uPVC doors and the procedure for installing them is different as well. Make sure to inquire with the manufacturer to see if it is compatible before you install an uPVC cat flap on your uPVC composite or uPVC door. Alterations may invalidate warranties.

Generally speaking, these types of doors are built to be durable and tough, with insulation built in. This makes them more resistant to weather elements than other types of doors, however they can be difficult to fit a cat flap into. If you're unsure about whether your uPVC or composite door will accommodate a cat flap, consult with a professional joiner before beginning.

You'll need to take their height in order to make sure they fit through the door. This is easiest if they are sleeping or calm, so that they aren't moving around too often. Once you've established their height, measure the distance between their stomachs and the floor to determine where the bottom of the cat flap should be. You can then mark this spot on the door.

If your uPVC or composite door is made of metal (either steel or aluminium) it is important be extra cautious when cutting it using power tools. The drilling process can make cracks, especially if the area is composed of toughened glass. This is the reason it's advisable to hire a glazier when installing your cat flap in the glass pane. This will stop the glass from becoming fragile or shattering. A glazier will also be able 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

A good cat flap comes with a template that can be used to mark the area on your door where the hole will be. If it isn't, you can create one by using an uncoated sheet of paper (tracing paper is the best choice). Once the shape has been drawn in pencil on the door you can then use a spirit level to make sure that the shape is completely horizontal. This will ensure that your cat flap is positioned correctly in the opening, and it will not slide open or close.

Then, cat flap cost near me can use your jigsaw and cut the design that was drawn on the door. Make sure that you're using a blade suitable for use on uPVC doors. Usually, it will be marked as such however, if not, ask the staff at the DIY store for guidance. Once you have the hole drilled and the flap section is in place, put it against it and push it out to ensure that the flap's movement is smooth. If it binds on any points then you can use a file or a sandpaper to correct this.

Make sure there aren't any electric or gas pipes in the door you're planning to cut through. The jigsaw may damage them. Additionally, you should be aware of any handles or other fixtures on the door that will have to be removed in order to install the cat flap. Be careful not to harm them during the process.

The majority of people who install a cat flap on their own will have a standard solid uPVC door, and therefore will not be dealing with any of these problems. However, if your door is made from timber or has a decorative panel that cannot be removed then this will add to the complexity of the job.

For these kinds of jobs, it's worth getting expert guidance from a cat-flap fitting expert. It is crucial to perform them correctly to avoid any future issues. If you do it wrong, it could lead to the door being damaged and could make it impossible to honor the warranty.

Install the Flap

After you've made your hole cut, put the flap on to check whether it will fit and opens easily. If you notice any spots that catch or stick, file them down with a hand file or sandpaper until it fits properly and opens without any problems. Make sure that the flap is flush with the door.

If your kit doesn't include templates, you can use thin paper like tracing or Acetate. Place the paper against the door and draw the area where you'll will need to place the flap (this will be your cutting guide). Make four screw holes at each corner of the flap using the pencil marks you made on the door. These are the screw holes you'll need to use to fix the flap in place.

The majority of uPVC doors are solid and therefore easy to cut into. If your door is made of composite or GRP however, it could be more difficult. If you're not experienced with this then it may be advisable to hire a professional to handle the job for you. They can also determine if your door is suitable for the installation of a cat flap.

It is possible to install an opening for a cat flap in composite doors. However, it's essential to consult with the manufacturer or a professional joiner prior to making any changes as any alterations to these types of doors could void the warranty. If you decide to do the work yourself, keep in mind that it could be messy and may even be hazardous.

When you have composite doors, you'll usually need to use a saw or grinder to cut through the door panel itself instead of just cutting through the GRP. Be aware that this can be very dangerous and you'll have to take extreme care not to harm the door or yourself, as it is very fragile. It's important to remember that cutting holes into any kind of glass door is a lot more difficult than making the same modification in the case of a uPVC or solid wooden door.