Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to install a cat flap but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, decide how high you want the cat flap to be (on average the belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the template provided as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten that is still a baby then gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to go through. Reward it each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to move into and out of your home at any time. This can keep your cat healthy since it ensures that it is getting enough exercise and be able to go back inside if it is trapped in the elements during bad weather. It can also cut down on the amount of time you need to allow it out or in and will also help protect your home by allowing you to be aware of when it went out.
It is important to make sure that the cat flap is set up correctly to stop your pet from being pushed through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the height of the doorway in your home to make sure the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the height of your flap in case your cat is taller or less than the average.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the centre of the door that you will put the flap. Then, using the markings as a guideline, cut out the form of your flap on the door with the help of a Jigsaw. After you've cut the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes needed.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process could be a bit more difficult when you have to install it onto a uPVC or composite door because these doors come in an array of thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. This is the reason we recommend hiring a professional to carry out the task, especially when you've never dealt with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from listening to your pet meow to let it in or out. This is particularly helpful for those who work all day and your cat is stuck in the waiting room until you come home in any weather.
It is essential to first measure your cat before you begin the installation. It might seem like a simple task, but it's essential to make sure you measure the right measurements. In upvc door panel with cat flap fitted that you don't, your cat may find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a position that they are unable to move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their 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 determined your cat's measurement, it's time to examine the door to determine where to place the flap. Place the flap 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 making a lot of noise as it swings open and closed.
You should take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. Although timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall construction, which can make fitting a cat flap more complicated because you must ensure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will help you to see the location where the opening should be and also make sure that the template is placed correctly on the door. It is also a good idea to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you must cut the door panel to make it large enough to accommodate it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended to get help from a professional cat flap fitting service for this step if you don't have the knowledge or skills to complete the task yourself. You can also read the instructions provided in the kit to find out how to do it right.
You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. A good guideline is to set the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters off the ground, as this is roughly the average height of the cat's belly. This will let your cat pass through the flap easily and make it more difficult for other cats and nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit has an outline of paper, place it over the door and use the marks to drill holes in each corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut out the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.
If you are installing your cat flap in the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if are confident enough to use the jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically 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 has been cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new home. Make sure it is firmly secured. If it features caps on the screws, then place them onto the protruding screws. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap you can open it and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a little bit of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hands or a stick. Once your pet has become used to walking through the flap it will be able to come and go at will. This allows you to let it in and out at any time it wishes.
You can fit an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door but it's not exactly the same as fitting one into a timber external door since UPVC and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could have an enormous impact on how you cut the flap's hole and whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
The mounting kit may include a template that shows you the best places to drill holes. If the kit does not include the template you can copy it to create your own. It's important to not push the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't make a larger than needed hole in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are also some which are circular, and are usually more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the correct position on your door, because in the event that it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and may be stuck in the open all day (or even night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that allow you to regulate when your cat enters and leaves. They are helpful for pets who are afraid of leaving in the dark or coming back to the house at night. They are also useful if you work all day. cat flap glass door installation near me can be turned on for entry or exit and some locks can be locked in either direction permitting you to close the door completely, which is especially helpful for cats with a chronic illness or older age who don't want to go out in rainy weather.