Fitting A Cat Flap

Fitting a cat flap can seem intimidating however it's actually quite simple with the proper instructions. Decide how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and use the included template as a guide when drilling.

If you have a kitten who is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and allow it to pass through. Reward it each time it goes through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise as well as being able to get back in if it is trapped outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. This can reduce the time you allow your cat out or in and also make your home safe by notifying you when it has left.

However, it is essential that the flap on your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly and the width of the doorway in your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the position of your flap if your cat is smaller or taller than the average.

Next, use a spirit-level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the markings as an outline, cut the contour of your flap on the door with the aid of a Jigsaw. After you have cut the area then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.

The process of fitting the cat flap glass door installation near me flap isn't as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours for the entire task from start to completion. The process is slightly more challenging if you need to install it on the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because these doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which can impact the way that holes are cut. We always recommend to contact an expert when this is your first time working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

You can avoid hours of ignoring the cat's meows to be let in or out. This is especially helpful when your cat is inside in all weathers when you are at work.

It is essential to measure your cat's measurements first before attempting to install. Although it might seem like an easy task, it is essential to measure the right way or your cat may find it difficult to use.

First, make sure your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body, not arching in any places. You can get a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.

Once you've determined your cat's measurements then you can examine the door to decide where to place the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise as it moves back and back.

You should consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While timber doors are all of a similar thickness, upvc door panel replacement cat flap and composite doors are different in their overall construction and this can make the installation of a cat flap more complicated as you will need to ensure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.

You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the opening on the door. This will help you determine where the hole should be located and ensure that the template is placed properly on the door. It is also beneficial to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed in a straight line against the door.

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 can be a tricky job, and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting service for this job in case you don't have the skills or experience to tackle it yourself. It is also recommended that you read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to find out how to do this correctly.

You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good guideline is to put the flap of your cat about 10 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 will make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.

Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. If your kit comes with a template for paper, place this over the door and use the markings to drill holes into each corner of the template. Then, you'll be able to cut out the template and replace it with the cat flap installation flap.

If you are installing your cat flap on the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if you feel confident enough to handle a Jigsaw. Be sure to not cut into any of the door mullions or cat flap vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square according to the way you want it. Remember to take your time and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.

Once the hole is cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the cat flap into its new location and make sure that it is firmly fixed. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will block the entry of draughts into your home.

Fit the Flap

If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. You can also push the cat using a stick or your hand. Once your cat is comfortable walking through the flap it will be able to come and go at will. This lets you let it in and out as it wants.

You can install an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door although this may not be exactly the same as fitting one into a timber external door because UPVC and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This can have a significant impact on the way you cut the hole for the flap and can also affect whether your flap will fit properly once it's been installed.

The mounting kit could include a template that shows you the best places to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template you can create one on your own. When cutting, it's crucial to not push the jigsaw hard so that you don't make a larger hole than you need in your door.

The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are also some which are circular and these are typically more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door because if it's not, your cat can't use it and could be left in the open all day (or even night).

Some double glazing cat flap flaps have locks which let you manage when your cat comes and goes. These can be very useful in the event that you are concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in due to the darkness, or you're at work all day. Certain locks can be used for either entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for older cats or sick cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.