Fitting A Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can seem intimidating, but it is fairly easy to do with the right instructions. First, determine the height you would like the flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on your door, and use the template included as a guide when drilling.

If you have a small kitten, prop the door open very slightly and gradually push it to pass through. Reward it when it goes through.

Measure the Door

A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at its convenience. This can help with keeping your cat in good health by ensuring that it is exercising and also being able to get back inside if stuck outside in the rainy weather, especially in winter. This can reduce the time you spend letting your cat in or out and also make your home safer by letting you know when it's gone.

It is crucial that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway of your house so that you can ensure that the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the position of your flap when your cat is taller or smaller than the average.

Next, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Then, using the marks as a guideline, cut out the contour of the flap on the door with the aid of a jigsaw. After cutting the flap then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.

The process of fitting a cat flap isn't as difficult as you may think and it should not take more than two hours for the entire process from beginning to the end. However, the process could be slightly more complicated if you need to fit it inside the frame of a uPVC or composite door as these doors come with various thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. We always suggest that you call an expert when this is your first experience working with glass.

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 if your cat flap installation cost near me is trapped in the house during all seasons when you are at work.

It is crucial to measure your cat flap installer's measurements first before attempting to install. It may appear to be a simple task, but it's essential to get the measurements right. In the event that you don't, your cat may find it difficult to use.

Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not feeling stressed prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not arching in any places. Holding the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the base of their tail will allow you to determine an accurate measurement.

Once you've got your cat flap cost near me's measurement then you can look at the door to determine the best place to place the flap. A good tip is to position the flap at the height of your cat's belly because it will allow them to pass through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making too much noise as it moves back and forth.

You will also need to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This makes the process of putting in a flap for your Cat Flap Bifold Doors [Telegra.Ph] more difficult, as you have to make sure that the hole is of the correct size.

It is also worth reading through the directions that come with the cat flap kit to find an outline of the template that can be used to mark out the position of the hole in 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. Using a spirit level to check that the template is sitting flush against the door will also prove beneficial.

Cut the Flap

You will need to cut an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap prior to you can put it in place. This is a difficult job and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter for this step should you not have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the kit to discover how to do this properly.

To do this, you have to take a measurement of the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as an indicator point. A good guideline is to place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is approximately the average belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap without difficulty and make it more difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to get inside or out.

The position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit has the template, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you should be able to cut out the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.

You can put in your cat flap yourself on a wood or uPVC door when you're confident 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 square or a circle, depending on how you want it. Remember to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.

Once the hole is cut, carefully fit the cat flap into its new home and make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts entering into your home.

Place the Flap

If you have a basic cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to go through by putting a little bit of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap, it is likely to be able into and out as it wishes, so you can let it out or in without keeping the door open to allow it in all day (and likely in all weathers).

You can fit the flap onto the UPVC or glass doors although this may not be as simple as fitting one into a wood external door since UPVC and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This could affect how you cut the hole for the flap and can also affect whether your flap will fit properly once it's installed.

Based on the type of cat flap installer flap you select It may come with its own mounting kit as well as a template that will show precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to make one yourself. When cutting, it's important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too hard so that you don't make a larger hole than you need in your door.

Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are some that are circular and these are generally more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, ensure that the hole is in the right place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able use it, and could be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).

Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to determine when your cat is allowed to enter and leave. These are very helpful in the event that you are worried about your cat going out at night and coming back in due to the darkness, or if you're at work all day. Some locks can be used to lock entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.