Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might be a bit daunting, but it is fairly easy to do by following the correct instructions. First, decide how high you want the cat flap to be (on average, belly height). Note this on the door, and use the template as a guide to drill.
If you have a young kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually push it to pass through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to enter and exit your home at any time. This can help keep your cat in good health as it will ensure that it gets enough exercise and will also allow it to go back inside if it is stranded outside in bad weather. It can also cut down on the amount of time you have to let it out or in and can also protect your home by letting you be aware of when it went out.
However, it is important 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). It is essential to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home to make sure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the average, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. With the markings as a guideline, you can use a jigsaw and cut out the form of the flap in the door. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes required.
The process of fitting a cat flap is not as difficult as you think and it should not take more than two hours to complete the entire process from beginning to finish. The process is slightly more challenging if you need to install it on the form of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which could affect the way that holes are cut. This is why we always recommend calling an expert to do the work, particularly when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from hours of hearing your pet's cries to let it in or out. This is especially helpful if you are at work most of the day and your cat has to stay in the house waiting for you to get home in any weather.
If you're planning to put a cat flap in your door it is important that you measure your cat before attempting the task. It might appear to be a simple task, but it's essential to get the measurements right. In the event that you don't, your cat might find it difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place where they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. You can get a precise 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 take a look at the door and decide where to put the flap. A good tip is to place the flap in the middle of your cat's belly as it will allow them to pass through it with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise as it swings open and closed.
You will need to consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall design, which can make fitting a cat flap more complicated because you must make sure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
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 must be located and make sure that the template is placed precisely on the door. It is also a good idea to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is placed flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make an opening in the door panel for your cat flap before you can attach it. This can be a challenging job, and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter for this step if you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to learn how to do this correctly.
To do this you need to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly. Use this as an indicator point. A good guideline is to set the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is the typical height of the cat's belly. This way, your cat will be able to move through the flap comfortably and also give any other cats or curious neighbours an issue when trying to leave or enter.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. If cat flaps for french doors RepairMyWindowsAndDoors includes an outline put it on top of the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you should be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself on an uPVC or wood door if you are confident with the jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut through any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a circle or square depending on the design of your cat flap. Make sure to take your time and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully fit the flap onto its new location and make sure that it is firmly fixed. If the flap has screws put them on the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed then sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can help your pet to go through it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using a stick or your hand. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap, it will be able to come and go as it pleases. This lets you let it in and out whenever it's wanted.
It is possible to fit an animal flap into the UPVC doors or glass door, but it may not be as simple as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors don't have an even 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 could contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with the template you can use a photocopier to create your own. It's important not to push the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't create a larger than necessary hole in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are some that are circular and these are typically more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure the hole is located in the correct place on the door. If not, your cat might not be able use it, and might be outside all day (or at night).
Some cat flaps have locks that let you control the time your cat is allowed to enter and leave. These are very helpful when you're worried about your pet going out at night and coming back in due to the darkness, or if you're at work for the entire day. Certain locks can be used for access or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.