Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can be a bit daunting however it's actually quite easy to do by following the correct instructions. Determine how high you would like the flap to be (normally it's located at the belly height). Then, mark More about the author on the door and use the template included as a reference to drill.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door slightly open and gradually encourage it to go through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a great method to allow your pet to come and go inside and out of your home whenever it wants. This can help keep your cat in good health as it will ensure that it gets enough exercise and be able to go back inside when it gets trapped in the elements during bad weather. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat in or out and make your home safe by letting you know when it's gone.
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). You should determine the height of your pet's stomach and the width of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the height of your flap when your cat is smaller or taller than the average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Using the marking as a guide, take a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap within the door. After you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill replacement upvc door panel with cat flap fixing holes that are required.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process is slightly more complicated if you are required to install it on a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because composite doors are available in various thicknesses, which could affect the way that holes are cut. This is why we always recommend calling a professional to carry out the task, especially when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of listening to the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. see this website is especially useful if your cat is trapped inside in all weathers when you are at work.
It is important to first measure your cat before attempting to install. It may seem like a straightforward task, but it is essential to get the measurements right. Otherwise, your pet may have difficulty putting it in use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not feeling anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a place in which they cannot move. Also, ensure 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 bottom of their tail can allow you to determine an precise measurement.
Once you've determined your cat's measurement then you can look at the door to determine where to place the flap. The best option is to place the flap at the height of your cat's belly as it will allow them to pass through it with minimal effort. This will also avoid the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and shut.
You must think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While all timber doors have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall design. This makes fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult since you have to make sure that the hole is the proper size.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole on the door. This will allow you to determine where the hole needs to be located and ensure that the template is set properly on the door. It is also beneficial to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you have to cut the door's panel to make it large enough for it. This can be a challenging job and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter for this job should you not have the knowledge or skills to tackle it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do it properly.
To do this you need to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as an indicator point. As a general rule you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the typical height of the cat's belly. Your cat will be able to go through the flap without difficulty and also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping difficult time trying to leave or enter.
The position of the cat flap on the door using pencil. If your kit includes a paper template, lay it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes in each corner of the template. After that, you'll be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in a door made from wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if you feel confident enough to handle using a Jigsaw. Be sure 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 circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is cut then carefully insert the flap onto its new location and make sure that it's securely fixed. If it features screw caps, then push these onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent draughts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to go through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap it should be able to go in and out as it wishes, so you can let it in or out without to open the door for it throughout the day (and potentially in all weathers).
It is possible to put a cat flap in a UPVC door or a glass door, but it may not be as simple as putting one inside a wooden exterior door. This is because the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
Based on the type of cat flap you select It may be equipped with a mounting kit and a template that will show precisely where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include an example you can use a photocopier to create your own. It's important not to press the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't create a larger than needed hole in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, make sure the hole is located in the right place on your door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able to use it, and may be outside all day (or night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that let you control the time your cat enters and leaves. These are useful for pets who are afraid of going out in the dark or coming back to the house at night. They can also be helpful when you are working all day. Certain locks can be used for entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is useful for older cats or sick cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.