Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might be a bit daunting but it's easy to do with the right instructions. Firstly, determine how high you want the flap to be (on average the belly height). Mark this point on the door, and use the template included as a guide to drill.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten hold the door open a bit and gradually allow it to enter. Reward it when it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is an excellent method to let your pet move inside and out of your home as it likes. This can help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is exercising and also being able to come back in if it is trapped outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. It also can reduce the amount of time you need to let it out or in. It can keep your home safe by allowing you to know when it's been out.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is placed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's belly as well as the width of the doorway at your home to make sure the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is taller or shorter than average, you can adjust the position of the flap by moving it up or down a small amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door that you will put the flap. With the markings as a guide, take a jigsaw and cut out the form of the flap within the door. After cutting the area, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as difficult as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire task from start to the end. The process is a bit more challenging if you need to install it in the form of a uPVC door or composite one. cat flap installation bristol is because these doors are available in different thicknesses, which could affect the way the holes are cut. upvc door panel replacement cat flap suggest that you call an expert when this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful if you are at work all day and your cat is in the house waiting for you to get home in all weathers.
It is essential to measure your cat first before you attempt the installation. Although it might seem like to be a simple task, it is crucial to measure the right way or your cat may find it very difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a position where they are not able to move, and make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any way. You can take 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 got the measurement of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide where you want 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 without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise as it swings back and forward.
You must consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall design and this can make the installation of a cat flap more complicated as you will need to ensure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole on the door. This will allow you to determine where the opening must be and also make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit-level to check that the template is sitting flush against the door will be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you have to cut the door panel in order to make a space big enough for it. It can be a difficult job and it is recommended that you get a professional assist you if you don't have the skills or experience. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to learn how to do it correctly.
You can use the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a guide. In general put the flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the belly for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap with ease and will make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. If your kit includes a paper template, lay it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes in every corner of the template. Then, you should be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the flap for cats.
You can put in your cat flap yourself inside the door made of wood or uPVC if you are confident with the use of a 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 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 made and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the cat flap into its new location and make sure that it is firmly secured. If it has caps for screws, then put these onto the protruding screws. After the screws are installed smooth the edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will prevent draughts from entering your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a simple 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 cat is accustomed to walking through the flap it will be able to move in and out as it wishes so you can let it in or out without having to be there to open the door for it all day (and potentially in all weathers).
It is possible to fit a cat flap into the UPVC or glass doors but it's not exactly the same as fitting one into a timber external door since the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the opening for the flap and can also affect whether your flap fits correctly once it's been put in place.
The mounting kit could include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to create one yourself. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw to the point that you create a larger hole than necessary in your door.
Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are some that are circular, and they are generally more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is located in the correct place on the door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to use it, and may be stuck outside the whole day (or night).
Some models of cat flap have locks which permit you to control when your cat comes in and goes. This is useful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark or returning in the dark. They can also be useful if you work all day. The lock can be engaged to allow or deny entry, and some can be locked in both directions, allowing you to shut the door completely, which is especially helpful for sick or elderly cats who aren't willing to go out in the rain.