Fitting A Cat Flap
Installing a cat flap might seem intimidating, but it is fairly easy to do by following the correct instructions. First, decide how high you would like the flap to be (on average the belly height). Mark this point on your door, and use the template included as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten that is still a baby and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and invite it to walk through. Reward the kitten each time it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to enter and exit your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is exercising and also being able to get back in if it is trapped outside in the rainy weather, Cat Flap Fitting especially during the winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you have to let it out or in. It can keep your home safe by letting you be aware of when it went out.
It is crucial that the cat flap 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 height of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is taller or shorter than average, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Then, using the markings as a guideline, cut out the form of the flap using the help of a jigsaw. After cutting the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
The installation of a cat flap installers near me flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process may be a little more complicated when you have to install it onto the door of a uPVC or composite door since these doors with cat flap have a wide range of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. We recommend to contact a professional for your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is especially useful when your cat is inside in all weathers while you are at work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap in your door, it is essential that you take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. Although it might appear to be to be a simple task, it is important to measure the right way or your cat will find it very difficult to use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not feeling anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a place in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. You can take a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've determined your cat's measurement, it's time to look at the door to decide where to put the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap making lots of noise when it opens and closes.
You should also consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have the same thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall structure. This can make the installation of the flap for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is the right size.
It is also worth reading through the directions included with the cat flap kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to determine the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole must be placed and ensure that the template is positioned correctly on the door. Using a spirit level to check that the template is right against the door will be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you need to cut the door panel to make it large enough for it. This can be a challenging job, and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting service to complete this task should you not have the expertise or knowledge to tackle it yourself. You can also read the instructions that come with the kit to discover how to do it properly.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good rule of thumb is to put the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is the typical belly height for cats. Your cat will be able to move through the flap comfortably and will also make the other cats or neighbours who are snooping difficult time trying to get in or out.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit comes with the template, place it over the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. You will then be able to cut the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself inside a wood or uPVC door If you're comfortable with the use of a Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square depending on the way you'd like it. Make sure to take your time and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully fit the flap onto its new location and make sure that it's securely secured. If the flap has screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through with your hand or a stick. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap, it should be able to go in and out as it wants so you can let it in or out without to open the door for it throughout the day (and likely in all weathers).
It is possible to fit a cat flap into a upvc door panels with cat flap or glass door although this may not be as simple as fitting one into a timber exterior door due to the fact that UPVC and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut the hole for the flap, and can also affect whether your flap fits correctly once it's installed.
Based on the type of cat flap you select It may come with its own mounting kit as well as a template that will show exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to create one by yourself. When cutting, it's crucial to avoid pushing the jigsaw too to the point that you make a larger hole than you need in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are some that are circular and these are usually more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the right position on your door, because if it's not, your cat won't be able to use it and may be stuck in the open all day (or even at night).
Some cat flaps have locks that permit you to control the time your cat comes and goes. They are helpful for pets who are afraid of leaving in the dark or returning in the dark. They are also useful for those who work all day. Certain locks can be used for entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.