Fitting a Cat Flap

It can be difficult to set up a cat flap but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, determine the height you want the cat flap to be (on average, belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the template provided to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten, prop the door open very slightly and gradually encourage it to go through. Reward the kitten as it moves through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is a wonderful way to allow your pet to come and go inside and out of your home as it pleases. This can help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to come back in if it is stuck outside in bad weather, particularly during the winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you'll have to let it out or in. It can also protect your home by allowing you to know when it's been out.
It is important to make sure that the cat flap is installed properly to stop your pet from being pushed through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure the height of your pet's belly and the entrance to your home to make sure that the flap is at the proper height. You can alter the height of your flap when your cat is taller or smaller than average.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door, where you will put the flap. With the markings as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap in the door. After cutting the area, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
The process of installing a cat flap isn't as difficult as you may believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire process from beginning to the end. However, the process can be slightly more complicated when you have to install it onto a uPVC or composite door as these doors come in an array of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed to. cat flap installer near me repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk suggest to consult with an expert if this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the pet meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful for cats that are inside in all weathers while you are at work.
It is crucial to measure your cat first before attempting to install. Although it might appear to be a simple operation it is crucial to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will find it difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a position that they are unable to move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. By keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail will enable you to determine an precise measurement.
Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where you want to place the flap. The best option is to position the flap in the middle of your cat's belly because it will allow them to get through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot of noise as it moves back and forth.
You will also need to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. Although timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall design and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile reading through the directions included with the kit to locate an illustration template that can be used to mark out the location of the hole in the door. This will help you to see where the opening must be and make sure the template is placed correctly on the door. Using a spirit level to make sure that the template is sitting flush against the door can be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you must cut the door's panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This can be a challenging job, and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service for this job should you not have the expertise or knowledge to do it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions provided with the kit to discover how to do it properly.
You can take the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. As a general rule put the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap easily and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. Then, if your kit has a template for paper, place it over the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. You will then be able to cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on a door made from wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if you are comfortable with using a jigsaw. Be sure to not cut into any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or a circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is cut then carefully insert the flap onto its new location and make sure that it is firmly secured. If it has screw caps, then push these onto the protruding screws. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut, and then seal any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also push the cat with the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat has become comfortable moving through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap as it pleases. This will allow you to let it in and out as it's wanted.
It is possible to install an animal flap into the UPVC doors or glass door, but it may not be as simple as putting one on a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors do not have an even thickness. This can have a major impact on how you cut out the flap's hole and how well the flap fits after installation.
The mounting kit may include a template that shows you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't come with a template you can use a photocopier to make your own. It is important not to push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't create a larger than necessary hole in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door because in the event that it's not, the cat can't use it and may be stuck outside all day (or even night).
Some cat flaps have locks that let you determine when your cat enters and leaves. These can be very useful when you're concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in because of the darkness, or you're working all 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. This is especially beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't willing to go out in bad weather.