Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting but it's simple to install with the right instructions. First, determine the height you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on your door and then use the template included to guide you when drilling.
If you have a small kitten, prop the door open a bit and gradually push it to enter. Reward the kitten each time it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at any time. This will keep your cat healthy since it ensures that it is exercising regularly and also be able to return inside if it gets trapped in the elements during bad weather. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat go in and out and also make your home safe by letting you know when it's gone.
However, it is important that the cat flap is properly fitted to stop your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the entrance to your home so that you can ensure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is a little longer or taller than the normal, you can adjust the position of the flap by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door, where you will be installing the flap. With the markings as a guide, take the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap within the door. After cutting the flap and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
The process of installing a cat flap isn't as difficult as you may believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to finish the entire process from beginning to completion. The process is 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 different thicknesses, which can affect the way holes are cut. We recommend to contact a professional for your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from listening to your pet meow to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful if you are at working all day and your cat is stuck inside waiting until you get home in all weathers.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on your door, it is essential to measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might seem like a simple operation it is important to measure the right way or your cat may be unable to use.
First of cat flap fitting near me , make sure that your cat is calm and not feeling stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position where they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. You can get an accurate measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat, it is time to look at the door and decide on where to place the flap. It is advisable to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly as this will help them to pass through it without too much effort. This will also avoid the flap from making lots of noise when it opens and closes.
You should also take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are all of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall construction and this can make the installation of a cat flap more difficult as you will need to ensure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
It is also worth looking through the instructions included with the kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark the location of the hole inside the door. This will help you determine where the hole needs to be located and ensure that the template is placed properly on the door. It is also helpful to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you must cut the door panel to make it large enough for it. It's a challenging job and it is recommended that you get a professional help you if you lack the knowledge or skills. You can also refer to the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do it correctly.
To do this you need to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use that as an indication point. A good guideline is to put 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 with ease 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 with pencil. If your kit comes with the template you can place it on the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. You will then be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if are comfortable with using a jigsaw. Be careful not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square according to the way you want it. Make sure to take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully fit the flap onto its new home and make sure that it is securely secured. If it features caps for screws, then put these caps onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will block the entry of draughts into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through using your hand or a stick. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap it should be able to go in and out as it pleases and you should be able to let it out and in without having to be there to open the door for it throughout the day (and likely in any weather).
It is possible to fit a cat flap into an UPVC or glass door however it's not as simple as fitting it into a wooden external door because the UPVC doors and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on how you cut the flap's hole and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
The mounting kit might contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with a template, you can create one on your own. 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.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are some that are circular, and are generally more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door, because in the event that it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and may be stuck in the open all day (or even night).
Some cat flaps have locks that allow you to determine when your cat can enter and leave. These can be very useful when you're worried about your pet going out at night only to come back in because of the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be engaged to allow or deny entry, and some can be locked in both directions, permitting you to close the door completely, which is especially helpful for sick or elderly cats who aren't willing to go out in bad weather.