Fitting A Cat Flap
It might seem daunting to set up the flap for your cat but with the right instructions it's not that hard. Firstly, determine how high you would like the flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on your door and use the template included to guide you 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 encourage it to pass through. Reward the kitten each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap install flap is an excellent method to allow your pet to move into and out of your house as it pleases. This will keep your cat in good health as it will ensure that it is getting enough exercise and also be able to return inside if it gets trapped outside during bad weather. It can also reduce the amount of time you have to allow it in or out and will also help keep your home safe by letting you know when it's been out.
It is important to ensure that the cat flap is installed properly to stop your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's belly and the size of the doorway in your home to make sure the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is taller or shorter than average, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it up or down a small amount.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Then, using the mark as an outline, cut the contour of the flap on the door with a jigsaw. After you have cut the area out then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
The process of fitting a cat flap is not as difficult as you may think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to finish the entire process from beginning to completion. 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 these doors are available in various thicknesses, which could affect the way the holes are cut. We always suggest that you call a professional for your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of listening to the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful if you are at working all day and your cat is inside waiting until you get home in all weathers.
It is essential to measure your cat first before you attempt the installation. While it may seem a simple operation it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will find it difficult to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed before you take the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the 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 have the measurement of your cat's body, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where to place the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to walk through the door without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise when it swings back and back.
You should take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall construction, which can make fitting a cat flap more difficult because you must make sure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile studying the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you to see where the opening needs to be and ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also helpful to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template is in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make an opening in the door panel for your cat flap prior to you can attach it. It can be a difficult job so it's recommended you hire a professional to help you if you lack the expertise or experience. You can also read the instructions that come with the kit to discover how to do it right.
To do this, you have to determine the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as an indicator point. As a rule of thumb you should place the flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the stomach for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit has the template you can place it on the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. After that, you'll be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
You can install the cat flap installation cost flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door If you're comfortable using the use of a jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle, depending on how you'd like to cut it. Be patient and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully fit the cat flap into its new location and make sure that it's securely secured. If it has screw caps, then push these caps onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by putting a little bit of cat food in the front of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your cat is accustomed to moving through the flap, it should be able to go in and out as it pleases so you can let it out or in without to open the door to allow it in all day (and likely in all weather conditions).
You can install an animal flap inside an UPVC or glass door however it's not quite as straightforward as fitting cat flap in upvc door panel one into a timber external door since the upvc door panels cat flap and glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the hole for the flap and will also affect whether the flap is fitted correctly after it has been installed.
The mounting kit might include a template that shows you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to create one yourself. When cutting, it is important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too far enough to create a bigger hole than you need in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are some that are circular, and they are typically more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the right location on your door as in the event that it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and could be stranded in the open all day (or even at night).
Certain models of cat flaps have locks which allow you to control the time your double glazing cat flap comes and goes. These can be very useful when you're worried about your pet going out at night and then coming back in because of the darkness, or if you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be used to allow entry or exit, and Cat Flaps some locks can be locked in both directions, allowing you to shut the door completely. This is particularly beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't keen on going out in rainy weather.