Fitting a Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to set up a cat flap, but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. Firstly, determine how high you want the flap to be (on average the belly height). Then, mark this area on your door, and use the template provided to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and invite it to pass through. Reward the kitten each time it moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is an excellent option to let your pet leave and come inside and out of your home as it pleases. This will help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it gets exercise as well as being able to get back in if it is trapped outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat in or out and make your home secure by letting you know when it has left.
However, it is important that the cat flap is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's stomach and the height of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is a little longer or taller than the average, you can alter the flap's position by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Then, using the mark as an outline, cut the contour of your flap on the door with the aid of a Jigsaw. After cutting the area then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
The process of installing a cat flap isn't as complicated as you believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to finish the entire job from start to finish. However, the process could be a little more complicated if you need to fit it onto a uPVC or composite door as these doors have various thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and what they are fixed to. We always recommend to contact a professional if this is your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from hearing your pet's cries to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful for those who working all day and your cat is stuck in the house waiting for you to get home regardless of the weather.
If you are planning to install a cat flap on your door it is important that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. Although it might seem like an easy task, it is essential to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will be unable to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. Holding the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the base of their tail can allow you to get an accurate measurement.
Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it's time to look at the door and decide where to place the flap. cat flap installation near me is advisable to place the flap at the height of your cat's belly as this will help them to move through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making too much noise as it swings back and forward.
You will also need to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall structure. This makes fitting an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you must ensure that the hole is the proper size.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the hole must be located and make sure that the template is set 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
You will need to cut an opening in the door panel for your cat flap before you can attach it. It's a challenging task and it is recommended that you hire a professional to assist you if you don't have the knowledge or skills. It is also recommended to review the directions that come with the kit to learn how to do this properly.
You can use the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. A good guideline is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters off the ground, as this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. This way your cat can move through the flap without difficulty and it will also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping an issue when trying to enter or leave.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door using pencil. Then, if your kit comes with a paper template, lay it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes into each corner of the template. Then, you'll be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.
If you are installing your cat flap in an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do this yourself if you are confident enough to use a jigsaw. Be careful not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. 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 try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure it's securely secured. If it features screw caps, then push these caps onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut and then seal any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap you can leave it open and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a little bit of cat food in front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your cat is accustomed to moving through the flap, it will be able to move in and out as it pleases so you can let it out and in without having to be there to open the door for it throughout the day (and likely in all weather conditions).
It is possible to install the flap inside an UPVC door or glass door, but it's not as easy as installing one on a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that UPVC doors and some types of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This could have an enormous impact on how you cut the flap's hole and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
Based on the type of cat flap you select, it may include a mounting kit and a template that will show precisely where to drill holes for it. If the kit does not come with a template, you can make one yourself. It's important not to push the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't create a larger than needed hole in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure the hole is in the correct place on the door. Otherwise, the cat may not be able to use it, and may be outside all day (or at night).
Certain cat flaps come with locks that allow you to determine when your cat enters and leaves. These are very helpful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in because of the darkness, or if you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be turned on to allow entry or exit, and some locks can be locked in both directions, permitting you to close the door completely, which is particularly beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who don't want to go out in bad weather.