Fitting A Cat Flap

It may seem difficult to set up a cat flap but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Firstly, determine how high you would like the flap to be (on average, belly height). Mark this point on the door and use the template as a guideline to drill.

If you have a kitten who is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to go through. Reward it each time it goes through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at any time. This will help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise as well as being able to get back in if it is left outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. This will cut down on the time you spend letting your cat out or in and make your home safe by letting you know when it has left.

However, it is essential that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly and the size of the doorway in your home to make sure the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the height of your flap in case your cat flap bifold doors is smaller or taller than average.

Then, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the mark as a guideline, cut out the form of your flap on the door with the aid of a Jigsaw. Once you have cut out the door, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes that are required.

The process of installing a cat flap is not as difficult as you think and it should not take more than two hours to finish the entire task from start to finish. However, the process could be slightly more complicated when you have to install it onto the door of a uPVC or composite door as these doors come in an array of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed into. We recommend to contact a professional when this is your first time working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

A cat flap will save you from hours of hearing your pet's cries to let it in or out. This is especially helpful for cats that are inside in all weathers when you are at work.

If you are planning to install a cat flap on your door, it is essential to determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. It might seem like a straightforward task, but it's important to make sure you measure the right measurements. Otherwise, your pet may find it difficult to use.

Firstly, make sure your cat is relaxed and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they are not able to move, and make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any way. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the base of their tail can allow you to determine an exact measurement.

Once you've determined your cat's measurements, it's time to examine the door to determine where to place the flap. The best option is to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly because it will allow them to pass through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise as it swings open and shut.

You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the replacement upvc door panels with cat flap door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This can make the installation of the flap for your cat more difficult, as you have to make sure that the hole is the right size.

It is also worth studying the instructions included with the kit to find a template drawing that can be used to mark out the location of the hole in the door. This will enable you to determine where the hole should be placed and ensure that the template is positioned correctly on the door. Using a spirit level to make sure that the template is sitting right against the door will also prove beneficial.

Cut the Flap

You will need to cut an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap prior to you can install it. This can be a challenging task and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting cat flap in upvc door panel (on front page) service for this step if you don't have the expertise or knowledge to complete the task yourself. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do this correctly.

To do this, you will need to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use that as an indication point. A good guideline is to place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is the typical belly height for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap without difficulty and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to get inside or out.

Once you have determined the location where the cat flap needs to be placed, mark this position on the door with a pencil. If your kit includes an outline of paper, place it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes into every corner of the template. Then, you'll be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.

You can install the cat flap yourself on an uPVC or wood door when you're confident with the use of a Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient, and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.

Once the hole is made then carefully insert the flap onto its new home and make sure that it is securely secured. If it features caps on the screws, then place these caps onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts entering into your home.

Install the Flap

If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a small amount of cat food in front of the door. You can also push the cat with a stick or your hand. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap, it will be able to move into and out as it wants so you can let it out or in without having to be there to open the door for it throughout the day (and possibly in all weathers).

It is possible to put an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, however it may not be as simple as putting one inside a wooden exterior door. This is due to the fact that the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This can have a major impact on the way you cut the flap's hole, and how well the flap fits after installation.

The mounting kit may include a template that shows you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can make one on your own. It's important to not use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so it doesn't leave a bigger than necessary hole in your door.

The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, however there are some that are circular, and are generally more difficult to place. If you have a circular flap it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the right position on your door, cat flap fitting because in the event that it's not, the cat will not be able to use the flap and could be stranded out in the sun all day (or even at night).

Certain cat flaps have locks that let you determine when your cat can enter and leave. These can be very useful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night and then coming back door with cat flap fitted in due to the darkness, or if you're working all day. The lock can be turned on to allow or deny entry, and some are locked in either direction permitting you to close the door completely. This is especially helpful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go out in bad weather.