Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might appear daunting but it's easy to do with the right instructions. Decide how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally it's at the belly height). Note this on your door, and use the included template as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten that is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to walk through. Reward the kitten each time it moves through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at any time. This can help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it gets exercise and also being able to come back in if trapped outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. It can also reduce the amount of time you have to allow it out or in. It can ensure your home is secure by letting you know when it's been out.
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 any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the size of the doorway at your home to ensure the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is a little taller or shorter than average, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Then, using the marks as an indication, cut out the contour of your flap using a Jigsaw. After you've cut the area out and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
Fitting a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. The process is slightly more challenging if you need to install it in the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors are available in various thicknesses, which can impact the way that holes are cut. This is why we recommend calling an expert to do the job, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from hours of hearing your pet's cries for you to let it in or out. This is particularly helpful when your cat is inside during the winter months when you are at work.
If you are planning to install a cat flap in your door it is important to determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. It may seem like a simple task, but it is crucial to get the measurements right. Otherwise, your pet may find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. Keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the base of their tail will allow you to get an accurate measurement.
Once you've determined your cat's measurements and measurements, you need to examine the door to determine where to put the flap. It is advisable to place the flap at the height of your cat's belly as this will help them to pass through it without too much effort. This will also stop the flap from making too much noise when it swings back and forward.
You will need to consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While all timber doors have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall structure. This can make the installation of a flap for your cat more difficult since you have to make sure that the hole is of the correct size.
cat flap fitters near me www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is also worthwhile studying the instructions that come with the kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to mark out the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole needs to be located and ensure that the template is placed precisely on the door. It is also a good idea to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template is perfectly 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. This can be a tricky job and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitter for this step in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to tackle it yourself. You can also read the instructions provided 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 place the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is approximately the average belly height for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap with ease and make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbors to get in or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. Then, if your kit includes a template for paper, place it over the door and use the marks to drill holes in every corner of the template. You should then be able to cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install the cat flap yourself in a wood or uPVC door If you're comfortable using a jigsaw. Be sure not to cut into the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or a circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
After the hole has been made, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure that it is securely secured. If it has caps for screws, then put them onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut then seal any gaps to ensure that there are no draughts coming into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to walk through by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with sticks or your hand. Once your cat is used to moving through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap whenever it wants. This allows you to let it in and out whenever it wishes.
You can fit an animal flap inside an UPVC or glass door however it's not exactly the same as fitting one into a timber external door because the UPVC and glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can affect how you cut the opening for the flap and will also affect whether the flap will fit properly once it's been installed.
The mounting kit may include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template you can create one by yourself. When cutting, it's important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too to the point that you create a bigger hole than necessary in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are also some which are circular, and they are usually more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the proper location on your door as if it's not, your cat won't be able to use it and could be stranded outside all day (or even at night).
Some models of cat flap come with locks that let you regulate the time your cat comes and goes. They can be extremely useful if you're worried about your pet going out at night and coming back in due to the darkness, or if you're at work for the entire day. Certain locks can be used for access or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.