Cat flap into single glazed door

[Topsy Turvey]

lol stupid me.  Its single glazed.  Sorry!! 

[Topsy Turvey]

Depends on the door you have i.e. whether it is double glazed.  They panel should pop out if you remove the beading.   If you manage to get it out - take the unit to a glazier with the cat flap they should be able to sort you out.  Hubby used to be a window fitter so if you need any advice just let me know and he'll help.  Good luck x

[tillywilly]

yes I was just thinking that, just had a look on a web site explaining how to do it, beyond my capabilities.

[blackcat]

Get a competent handyman. Do not do it if you are not experienced at DIY or you will end up with a big pile of broken glass, and potentially cause yourself serious injury!

[tillywilly]

thank you again.

Of course never thought, but yes I would keep the original glass panel and replace it when I move out.

Because always rented never done any DIY - how do you remove a glass panel, and how do you stick a replacement in???

Do not want to put plywood in because it would reduce light coming in.

[Roz]

Hi Tillywilly,

Yes you will need a glass fitting cat flap (or one that says it is suitable for glass on the box) if you intend fitting it to glass.  And this is a professional job.  You should remove the panel of glass that is in the door at the present and put it somewhere safe.  Then you will need to purchase another panel in whichever material you choose (PVC-u or wood or glass) and buy the catflap that is suitable for the panel.  If you are fitting it into wood or PVC-u then you can do this yourself but if you are fitting it to glass, then you will need to have an aperture cut into the glass by a glazier.  Probably the best option would be to buy a Georgian panel of glass that is divided into small square panes.  One of the lower square panes could then be removed and the cat-flap fitted. 

If and when you move, you might wish to take this panel out of the door and replace it wIth the original panel.  Not everyone wants a catflap...

Hope that helps.

Good luck   

Best wishes,

Roz

[Tiggy's Mum]

The plwood panel in my back door is very thin, I did measure it but can't remember the exact measurements - something like 5 or 6mm.  I don't think that is unusual as the flap is designed for 0mm - 13mm.  It's probably less of an issue in a (relatively?) small panel that was glazed than in the entire back door panel.

[Mark]

I wonder if that would be a security issue as you would need really thin plywood?

Ron in Brighton has one going throught the wall that he did himself. Also a man I homechecked a while ago had one he did himself. I asked how it was done. He said it is dead simple and anyone can do it - however he also said he is a builder 

[Tiggy's Mum]

thought it would be easier to have it fitted into the glass panal next to the back door. 

So is the panel not in the door itself?  If that's the case I would buy some plywood from B&Q or similar, get them to cut it to your exact size (they do it for free!) then replace the glass panel with the plywood panel which will be very easy to cut the hole in and install the catflap (paint it with whatever colour is in keeping with the door).  When you move just replace the original glass.  I'd imagine the panel is held in by beading so very easy to replace.

[tillywilly]

thank you.

I am a bit thick, so i would take the measurement to a glazier, who would fit me a new sheet of glass with cat flap hole, do I have to then take out the old glass and fit the new one then fit the cat flap, or do they come to my home and remove and fit for me??

I live in a rented house so I would preferre to have it fitted into the wall next to the door, but thought it would be easier to have it fitted into the glass panal next to the back door.  I will ask the land lord permission first but if he says no then I surpose I have it fitted and then when I leave have the glass panel returned to original state.  What a carry on.

[Tiggy's Mum]

As Mark says, you normally have to get new glass which is cut before being treated.  You can have cat flaps going through brick walls with a tunnel liner, not sure if that would be easier?  I did a bit of flap research and it seems that cat mate (pet mate) ones seem to be more highly thought of than staywell.  I bought a cat mate one but still haven't got round to fitting it 

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

http://www.catflaps.com/en-gb/dept_1.html

http://www.catflaps.co.uk/

These sites might help

[Mark]

Unless the glass is old, it is likely it is toughened glass which can't be cut. The only way would be to reglaze with regular glass or reglaze with toughened glass but they would have to cut the hole before treating it.

[blackcat]

yes, yes and yes. There are cat flaps for most circumstances, but cutting glass is a specialist job, so you will need a glazier. Good luck!

[tillywilly]

I would like a cat flap, however my lounge door which opens onto the garden is a single glazed wood door.
Can a cat flap be fitted into glass, if so do I have to get the professionals in, do I need a special cat flap???