Fitting a cat flap to bifold double-glazed panel

[C70R]

Wasn't quite sure whether to put this here or "Homes...", but I figure you guys are probably a better audience.
Mrs70R and I have a lovely house with a beautiful bifolding door into the rear garden. However, because we're bringing a previously indoor cat into the environment, the current indoor/outdoor feline tenant will have to learn to use a cat flap until we feel comfortable with letting the new cat out.

I want to put a collar-controlled catflap in the double-glazed panel of one of the bifold doors, but am a bit worried about shonky fitting/tradesmen. Does anyone have any experience they can share?

[KAgantua]

Not sure its possible. It might be better to either get a new DG panel for that individual door with the hole already formed in (assuming that is possible), OR get a blank UPVC panel made up that you can cut the hole into, and replace the pane with that. You can then reinstate the DG panel after and throw the UPVC with the lfap in away. Its what i have done (Latter) on my mums house.

[springfan62]

It wont be possible to fit it to the existing glass.

The bifold will be toughened glass and if you cut it it will shatter.

The only possible way is with a new glazing panel made with a suitable hole and then toughened.

[Pagey]

springfan62 said:

It wont be possible to fit it to the existing glass.

The bifold will be toughened glass and if you cut it it will shatter.

The only possible way is with a new glazing panel made with a suitable hole and then toughened.

You need to choose the cat flap before the glazing panel is made - different sized holes for different brands

[Mothersruin]

Yup - also note that collars will come off once cats are going through hedges etc..

Get a chip reading one - we've a sureflap now, still in the training process... stupid buggers will happily go out, won't come back in.

[theboss]

Mothersruin said:

Yup - also note that collars will come off once cats are going through hedges etc..

Get a chip reading one - we've a sureflap now, still in the training process... stupid buggers will happily go out, won't come back in.

I have one too and think it works brilliantly. It took my cat about a month to properly figure it out and now she’s in/out constantly. I work away from home for 3-4 days at a time so it’s ideal. When I put it in training mode initially I just grabbed the cat and shoved her head in the tunnel - job done in seconds rather than waiting for the cat to learn to approach it. Mine did start chewing threw batteries and it turns out bits of cat hair were obscuring the sensor - make sure you keep it clean.

[CardinalFang]

some friends added a big extension with bifolds few years ago & it was cheaper/easier/quicker to put the pet flap through the side return wall than in the bifolds. Works perfectly, although it's more of a short tunnel, going through the brickwork, so might not suit an elderly pet.

Don't know if this would be an option for you OP, but just a thought...

Chs, CF

[Dr_Rick]

We did this to the full height double glazed extension at the back of our house.

We put out a Rated People request for a glazer to replace one unit with one suitable for a cat flap. Like others have suggested: we replaced the unit, we chose / purchased / supplied the catflap to the glazer so he could template from it, and we chose a chip activated catflap.

We've kept the original unit in the basement just in case we need to replace one of the others due to a broken pane or seal.