Fitting a Cat Flap

replacement upvc door panel with cat flap might seem daunting to put up a cat flap however, with the proper instructions it's not that hard. First, determine the height you would like the flap to be (on average the belly height). Then, mark this area on the door and then use the template as a guideline to drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and allow it to go through. Reward the kitten each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at its convenience. This will help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to come back inside if left outside in bad weather, particularly in winter. It can also reduce the amount of time you'll have to spend letting it out or in and can protect your home by letting you know when it's been out.
However, it is essential that the flap on 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 entrance to your home in order to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the average, you can adjust the position of the flap by moving it up or down by a tiny amount.
how much to install a cat flap is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will install the flap. With the markings as a reference, use a jigsaw and cut out the form of the flap within the door. After you've cut the area out then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
The process of installing the cat flap isn't as complicated as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire task from start to completion. However, the process may be a little more complicated when you have to install it into the door of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come with an array of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. We recommend to consult with a professional when this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of ignoring the cat's meows to be let in or out. This is particularly useful when you're at work all day and your cat is stuck in the house waiting for you to get home in any weather.
It is important to first measure your cat before attempting to install. Although it might appear to be an easy task, it is essential to measure the right way or your cat may find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a position in which 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 the ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've determined your cat's measurements and measurements, you need to look at 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 walk through the door with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise as it moves back and forth.
It is also important to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. Although timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall design and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult because you must make sure the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
You can also use 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. Using a spirit level to make sure that the template is sitting flush against the door will prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you need to cut the door's panel to make a space big enough for it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service for this step in case you don't have the skills or experience to tackle it yourself. You can also consult 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 or kitten's belly and use that as an indicator point. As a general rule put the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the standard height of the stomach for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap easily and will make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
The position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit has the template you can place it on the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at every corner. You will then be able to cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself on a wood or uPVC door If you're comfortable using a Jigsaw. Be sure to not cut into any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle depending on the way you'd like it. Be patient and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole has been made, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure it is firmly secured. If the flap has screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block drafts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the outside of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your pet has become accustomed to moving through the flap, it will be able to come and go as it pleases. This lets you let it in and out at any time it wants.
It is possible to fit a cat flap into the UPVC or glass doors however it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a wood exterior door due to the fact that UPVC and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on how you cut the opening for the flap and could affect the way your flap is fitted correctly after it has been put in place.
The mounting kit could include a template that shows you where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to make one by yourself. When cutting, it's important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too to the point that you create a larger hole than you need in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a round flap, make sure the hole is in the correct place on your door. Otherwise, the cat may not be able to use it, and may be outside all day (or night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to control the time your cat enters and leaves. These are very helpful if you're worried about your pet going out at night and then coming back in due to the darkness, or if you're at work all day. Certain locks can be used for access or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is beneficial for sick or older cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.