New front door

CarolTheExtra

My son is desperate to be able to replace his wooden door and side panel (which has his cat flap in) with new upvc. The double glazing company say there is no room for the cat flap and say the only place for it to go is the bottom of the front door.

He suggested, because his door is slightly wider than average, he would like it replaced with a slightly smaller one but the company say that it is not possible because of building regulations. Could someone in the know please confirm this as I think people are always trying to palm you off these days. They are probably right but we just need to know from someone else.

By the way it is not possible to put cat flap in the back of the house.

keith969

Why not put the cat flap to the side of the door through the brickwork? You end up with 2 cat flaps, one on the inside and one on the outside, like a sort of a tunnel, but cats don't seem to mind, at least mine didn't.

Barneysmom

Yes, I think there are new laws regarding disabled access/wheelchairs. Though thinking about it I'm sure that only applies to new builds?
It might be an idea to get a few quotes.

Doozergirl

Building Regulations for access shouldn't apply to changes to an existing property if the property itself is older than the regulations. So question is - how old is the house?

CarolTheExtra

We have just had a new extension on our house and our front door is smaller than our sons. We were told it had to be a certain size for disabled access.

He does not have room either side of the door for a catflap in the brickwork. We have thought about this option. The washing machine would be in the way in the kitchen.

What really annoys us is that the chap sold us the windows one evening and didn't mention the problem and the surveyor who came out did not forsee a problem and this has only just come to light. No one will explain why it can't be made just like the wooden one.

SatanicHare

Is the side panel a glass panel.

MrYorke

My friends called a local odd-job man as none of the uPVC companies would go near it. Didn't cost them a great deal either to be honest. The uPVC companies wouldn't do it because the white uPVC they use may be a different colour