Fitting A Cat Flap
Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting, but it is fairly simple with the right instructions. Find out how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's located at belly height). Mark this point on your door and use the template included to help you drill.
If you have a kitten that is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and encourage it to go through. Reward it as it passes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap cover for winter flap is a great option to let your pet leave and come into and out of your home whenever it wants. This can help with keeping your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise and also being able to get back in if it is trapped outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you need to spend letting it out or in and can protect your home by letting you be aware of when it went out.
It is crucial that the flap for your cat is properly fitted to stop your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine your pet's belly height and the doorway of your house to ensure that the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the position of your flap in case your cat flap step is taller or less than average.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door, where you will put the flap. Then, using the marks as an outline, cut the form of your flap with the aid of a jigsaw. After you've cut the area out and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
The process of fitting a cat flap is not as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours to finish the entire job from start to the end. The process can be slightly more challenging if you need to install it on the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because composite doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which can affect the way holes are cut. This is why we recommend hiring an expert to do the job, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is particularly useful for those who work all day and your cat is in the house waiting for you to get home in all weathers.
It is important to measure your cat's measurements first before you attempt the installation. It might seem like a straightforward task, but it's important to get the measurements right. Otherwise, your pet might find it difficult to use.
First, make sure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a position where they are not able to move, and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any place. By keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail will enable you to get an accurate measurement.
Once you have your cat's measurement and measurements, you need to look at the door to decide the best place to place the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making lots of noise when it swings open and shut.
You will need to consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. Although timber doors are of a similar thickness, upvc door panel cat flap and composite doors are different in their overall construction and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
It is also worth reading through the directions that come with the cat flap kit to locate an illustration template that can be used to determine the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you to see where the opening must be and also ensure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting right against the door will also be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap, you'll have to cut the door's panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This is a difficult job and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service for this step should you not have the skills or experience to complete the task yourself. It is also recommended that you review the directions that come with the cat flap kit to discover how to do this properly.
To do this you need to determine the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as an indicator point. A good rule of thumb is to put the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is approximately the average belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap easily and make it more difficult for other cats and nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using pencil. If your kit includes the template put it on top of the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes in each corner. Then, you'll be able cut out the template and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if you are confident enough to use using a jigsaw. Be careful not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or a circle according to the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new home. Make sure it's firmly secured. If it has screw caps, then push these onto the screws that protrude. After the screws are installed then sand the rough edges and fitting a cat flap apply sealant to any gaps. This will block draughts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap fitters near me flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also push the cat using a stick or your hand. Once your pet has become accustomed to moving through the flap, it will be in a position to move at will. This lets you let it in and out as it wishes.
It is possible to install a cat flap in an UPVC door or glass door, but it may not be as simple as putting one in a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that UPVC doors and Fitting a cat flap some types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This can have a significant impact on how you cut the hole for the flap, and can also affect whether your flap will fit properly once it's installed.
The mounting kit may include a template that shows you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template you can create one yourself. It is important not to use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so that it doesn't leave a bigger than needed hole in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is in the correct spot on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat might not be able to access it, and might be stuck outside the whole day (or night).
Some cat flaps have locks that let you determine when your cat can enter and leave. These are useful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark or returning inside at night. They can also be useful when you are working all day. The lock can be turned on to allow or deny entry, and some are locked in both directions, which allows you to close the door completely. This is particularly beneficial for older or ill cats who aren't willing to go out in the rain.