Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might be a bit daunting however it's actually quite simple with the right instructions. Find out how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's at belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the template provided as a guide when drilling.
If you have a small kitten hold the door open a bit and gradually encourage it to go through. Reward it when it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a wonderful way to allow your pet to move inside and out of your home as it wants. This can help with keeping your cat in good health by ensuring that it is exercising as well as being able to get back inside if stuck outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. cat flap fitters near me can reduce the amount of time you need to spend letting it out or in. It can ensure your home is secure by letting you know when it's been out.
It is crucial that the flap for your cat is correctly fitted 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 as well as the width of the doorway in your home to make sure the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is longer or taller than the average, you can alter the flap's height by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Then, using the markings as an indication, cut out the contour of the flap on the door with the help of a jigsaw. After you have cut the area and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as complicated as you believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire job from start to the end. 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 come with an array of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. window cat flap is why we always recommend calling a professional to complete the work, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from hearing your pet's cries to let it in or out. This is particularly helpful for cats that are inside in all weathers when you are at work.
If you want to fit a cat flap inside your door it is important that you 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 find it very difficult to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a place in which they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. By keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the tip of their tail can allow you to make an precise measurement.
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. Position 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 avoid the flap making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and shut.
It is also important to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall design and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult because you must make sure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole on the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole should be located and ensure that the template is placed properly 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
Before you can put in your cat flap you must cut the door panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended that you get help from a professional cat flap fitter to complete this task in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to complete the task yourself. You can also consult the instructions included with the kit to discover how to do it correctly.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. As a general rule put the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average height of the belly for cats. This way your cat can move through the flap without difficulty and will also make the other cats or neighbours who are snooping a tough time trying to leave or enter.
Once you've determined the location where the cat flap needs to be positioned, mark this location on the door using the help of a pencil. If your kit comes with an outline of paper, place it over the door and use the marks to drill holes into every corner of the template. Then, you should be able cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself inside a wood or uPVC door If you're comfortable with the Jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut through any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure it's solidly secured. If the flap has screw caps then push them into the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed then sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by putting a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your pet has become comfortable moving through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap whenever it wants. This lets you let it in and out at any time it wants.
You can fit a cat flap into a UPVC or glass door but it's not exactly the same as fitting it into a wooden external door since the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could have a significant impact on how you cut the opening for the flap and will also affect whether the flap fits correctly once it's installed.
The mounting kit may include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template you can use a photocopier to create your own. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw far enough to create a larger hole than necessary in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are also some which are circular, and they are generally more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the correct location on your door as if it's not, your cat will not be able to use the flap and may be stuck outside all day (or even at night).
Some models of cat flap come with locks that allow you to control the time your cat comes and goes. They are helpful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark or coming back in the dark. They are also useful if you work all day. The lock can be engaged to allow entry or exit, and some can be locked in either direction allowing you to shut the door completely, which is especially beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't keen on going out in the rain.