This has been a subject which has cropped up periodically on Purrs and elsewhere - whether or not you can install a cat flap in either a UPV or even a composite door, and it's one which genrerally divides opinion as to whether or not it can be done.
It's a subject which has been very much on my mind of late, as we wanted to get a new front door for our home, and we wanted to get a composite door fitted.
We also needed to be sure we could install a cat flap in any new door we got, as resiting the existing flap would have been more problematic than replacing the door.
I scoured the net, and found various discussions as to whether or not this would be possible. The opinions weren't consistent - some people said a firm "No." Some said "ooo, errrr, possibly, but......" and others said "Yep - it can be done; I've done it."
Manufacturers of these kinds of doros were also split as to whether or not it could/should be done. I approached around 8 altogether - some national suppliers and other, more local door manufacturers/suppliers in the north of England.
So, I thought my findings may prove useful at some point in the future if this question crops up again.
The overwhelming proof I've discovered is that fitting a cat flap in a UPVC or a composite door
can be done, regardless of wisdom to the contrary. I found photographs online of it having been successfully done, and without necessarily damaging or weakening the door. I've attached a link, which I hope will work, but if not just google
Images for "cat flaps in UPVC doors"
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&sugexp=les%3B&gs_rn=4&gs_ri=psy-ab&cp=23&gs_id=1w&xhr=t&q=cat+flaps+in+upvc+doors&rlz=1R2AURU_enGB501&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42768644,d.d2k&biw=1024&bih=544&wrapid=tljp1361690143531024&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=Hr4pUdPQKqeM0AWpsoHAAwSome brave souls attempted it themselves, and very credibly too. Others got someone to do it for them.
More to the point, from personal experience I now have a rather nice composite door,
complete with cat flap, which was fitted for us by a regional door specialist.
There are a number of companies particularly in the south of England, the midlands and home counties, who have gained experience fitting flaps to existing doors, and now advertise as specialist cat flap fitters - a Google search for your area may well turn up one or two of these, some of whom are happy to provide a no-obligation quote if you're within their catchment area.
For those willing to approach fitting themselves, it seems to work better if you have a flat panel in the lower half of the door, but some of the moulded panels can be replaced relatively easily and inexpensively with a plain panel, which can then be cut more easily to accommodate a flap.
Many local glass and glazing companies will offer this service. Be aware if you choose to go down this route, there are many variations on the colour white used in the manufacture of UPVC doors, and therefore if you have a white upvc door and want your door to look as aesthetically pleasing as possible, check with the glazier that they can match the door colour before they replace the panel.
We approached a number of local door companies who were doubtful about fitting a flap to a new door, and some of whom quoted quite high for a UPVC door with a flap. Two of the big main suppliers - E*****t and A*****n will fit flaps to new doors at the point of manufacture, and have some useful info on their sites about this, but the cost of the door with flap was (for us at least) quite offputting.
By shopping around, we managed to get a composite door from a regional supplier who took a template using the flap we had, and the door was then manufactured with the requisite aperture for the flap to be fitted at the point of installation.
When the door arrived, the whole aperture had been properly sealed at the factory to minimise any risk of water ingress. They also fitted the flap for us, drilling the necessary holes etc.
The quote we received for the supply and fit of the door and the flap was less than half that which we were quoted by main national suppliers.
We were guinea pigs in many respects - the company we approached hadn't carried out this procedure before but working on the basis it was no different to cutting apertures for letterboxes and glazing sections, they were willing to take on the job, and to give their usual warranty period with the door (but not on the flap, obviously).
Another local company were also willing to give it a go, for a similar price, but using a UPVC door which wasn't as good quality as the door we eventually ended up with.
So, for anyone speculating whether or not fitting a flap to a UPVC door is something which can be taken on, the answer is a definite yes.
The main questions to ask are:
Am I fitting in an existing door?
a) Yes.
Am I confident in tackling the job myself? If not, get someone in - make enquiries of your local glass and glazing firms if there are no specialist cat flap fitters operating in your area.
Some competent joinery firms will also take this on, although they may not widely advertise the fact. If you decide to undertake the work yourself, prepare thoroughly and realise you accept a degree of risk.
b) No.
Think about the kind of door you want. When we chose our door, we were limited to a particular style of door in the composite material we wanted.
With a UPVC door you will have a greater degree of flexibility. You can even consider a UPVC door with a glazed lower half, when the flap can be installed in the glazed unit at the point of manufacture - this shouldn't add a huge amount to the overall cost.
We paid an additional £30 on top of the price of the door to accommodate the extra aperture and the actual fitting.
I'm not saying it will necessarily be easy, either fitting your own flap to an existing UPVC door, or sourcing a local company to do this for you,
but it is possible.
This information might help if you need to persuade a local manufacturer to give it a go, or are contemplating it on your own account.
