Fitting A Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap in to your home can be a huge step for any pet owner. There are many options available to you, regardless of whether your cat is old and needs extra security or you have kittens that need to be vetted.

Installing a cat flap can be intimidating for people who aren't professionals, however, with the proper instructions, it's not difficult to complete. Preparation, planning and accuracy are the keys.

Select the Right Door or Window

There are many different types of cat flaps, including some with locks that can be used to keep your pet from getting out or in, while others have high tech features like microchip door entry systems. It's important to think about how easy it will be to teach your cat how to use the flap before you purchase and install one.

It's best to place the cat flap, depending on the style of your house, in the form of a window that opens to a sheltered garden area. This will help your cat feel safe when entering or leaving your home. This will also enable them to return inside in the event of being pursued by a pet or human beings who wish to harm them.

You can put the cat flap on a uPVC door or a Glass Cat Flap Installation Near Me window, but it's not as easy as putting one in wooden doors. It's because uPVC or composite doors are available in a variety of thicknesses. This can affect the how holes are cut and the material you put to.

To avoid costly mistakes to avoid costly mistakes, it is recommended to consult an expert glazier before installing the flap on a glass-fronted door. If you are fitting the flap to a wooden door, you should introduce your cat to it first so that it can become familiar with its dimensions and shape.

Measure Your Cat's Belly

In order to put in a cat flap that's suitable for your pet, you'll need to measure your cat's height. This will allow you to ensure that the flap is the correct height on your door or window and that it's wide enough to allow them to get in and glass cat flap installation near me out easily.

Place your pet on its back and gently run your fingers along their belly. Check for any fat pads that are squishy - these could be visible on their lower back, face, and legs. The padding gives your pet with protection and allows them to move more easily, particularly when performing the many acrobatics that felines are known for.

Alternatively, you can also make use of your pet's weight to determine the size of an opening you require. If your cat weighs up to 5kg, for instance, the suggested cat flap size is 14x12cm.

Make sure you measure your door or window

This kind of cat flap, as its name suggests, is made to be fitted into a door. It allows your pet to move in and out at their convenience. They are usually made from aluminum or plastic and rest in the middle of the door with the possibility of a swinging door that is opened by pushing lightly on either side. There are locking versions of these flaps that offer added security so your cat can't simply enter the door from the outside.

Cat flaps are also often used in windows. They are easy to be installed, but they need to be placed at a height where cats and dogs have a difficult time to reach them. If the window is too high for a cat flap glass door installation near me flap then steps, ramps or purpose built stairs can be used to help the animal access it.

A cat flap can be incorporated into a brick wall but it is not recommended unless experienced in masonry work as it could weaken the wall's structure. Before you begin, it is important to make sure that the wall is free of pipes and cables. If there are, there must be a hole made for them. This is something that you should always seek professional advice on. It is also recommended to wear protective goggles and a dust protection mask to avoid breathing in any of the sawdust created by cutting through your home's walls.

Select the Right Cat Flap

There are numerous cat flap cost near me flaps available on the market, and they all offer different features. Some come with security options such as magnetic locks or microchip recognition to prevent unauthorized entry and also restrict your pet from letting pets or friends into the home. Some have insulation as well as weatherproof seals to block the elements of moisture and draughts.

There's also a range of sizes depending on the size and breed of your pet. Certain cat flaps are rectangular, while others are circular or square. Choosing the right type of cat flap is determined by the space available and the type of window or door you want to attach it to.

Last but not least, think about the opening mechanism your cat flap will use. A simple aluminum or plastic swing-out door is a good option and is usually the least expensive. It won't stop other cats and pets from entering the room, and you could let in draughts.

It's time to put in your cat flap. Start by marking the height of the belly on the door with your ruler. Use a spirit level to ensure that the line is straight on the door and not too low. Utilize your spirit level to draw a template of the cat flaps for french doors flap. Then, using a saw, cut out the outline of the door. Once you are satisfied with the result then sand the edges and drill through the pencil lines to make holes for screws.

Prepare the Tools

It's essential to have the right tools available when doing any DIY project. You'll need the cat flap, tape measure and pencil along with a spirit-level, drill and a jigsaw depending on the kind of door or window.

Contact the manufacturer prior to making any modifications to a composite door. This could invalidate the warranty, or cause the weathertight seal to be broken. In this case it's likely you'll have to replace the glass with a new piece of toughened glass.

For wooden or uPVC doors you'll need to cut out the design of your cat flap using a jigsaw and follow the instructions that are provided by the manufacturer. Use a template to mark out the size hole you'll need.

After you've made the hole, you'll need to sand the edges of the opening. This will stop any water damage or rust from happening in the near future. Also, you should apply any sealant you require to the back of the cat flap, and to the holes in the window or door to block the elements of wind and rain. Once the sealant has dried it is time to install your cat flap!

Install the Flap

If you want your cat to be able to move around as it pleases, fitting a flap can help. This is a simple process that most people can accomplish by themselves, though you will likely need to hire an expert if you're installing the flap on a glass door or other kind of uPVC door.

Begin by studying the instructions included with the flap to locate the template. This will give you an idea of the location where the holes are to be made for the flap to be placed in the door. Then, mark the places that you'll need to drill with the pencil.

After you have marked the door on your door, you can use the jigsaw and cut out the the cat flap. This is a relatively simple job however, you'll need to be comfortable using a saw. If you are concerned about doing this yourself, there are many companies that can complete this for you at a very low cost.

Then, attach the outer part of the door to the hole in your door. You may need to seal it prior to doing this to ensure it remains weather-proof and water resistant. Then, you can put the outer section of the flap on top of the fixing bolts and then tighten them all. You should test the flap on your cat to ensure that it is working correctly and that it allows them to exit and enter easily.