Installing a cat flap might be a bit daunting, but it is fairly simple to install with the right instructions. Find out how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at the belly height). Then, mark this area on the door, and use the template included as a guideline to drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to walk through. Reward it when it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to enter and exit your home at any time. cat flap installers repairmywindowsanddoors can keep your cat healthy since it will ensure it gets enough exercise and will also allow it to go back inside if it is stranded outside in bad weather. This can reduce the time you allow your cat go in and out, and keep your home safer by letting you know when it's gone.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is set up correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the width of the doorway in your home to ensure the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the position of your flap if your cat is taller or less than the average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Using the marking as a guide, take a jigsaw and cut out the form of the flap within the door. After you've cut the flap and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
Fitting a cat flap should not take longer than two hours. However, the process may be a little more complicated when you have to install it into a uPVC or composite door as these doors have a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are inserted into. We always recommend to contact an expert when this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of listening to the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is particularly useful when you're at work most of the day and your cat is stuck in the house waiting for you to get home regardless of the weather.
If you want to fit a cat flap in your door it is important to take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. While it may seem to be a simple task, it is crucial to measure the right way or your cat will find it difficult to use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not feeling 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 the body. By keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the bottom of their tail will allow you to get an exact measurement.
Once you've determined your cat's measurements and measurements, you need to examine the door to determine where to place the flap. A good tip is to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly as this will help them to get through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making too much noise when it swings back and forth.
You should take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This makes the process of putting in an enclosure for your cat more difficult, as you must ensure that the hole is the right size.
It is also worthwhile reading through the directions included with the cat flap kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark out the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you determine where the opening must be, and also to ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to ensure that the template is sitting in a straight line against the door will also be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap, you'll have to cut the door panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of an expert cat flap fitter to complete this task if you don't have the expertise or knowledge to complete the task yourself. You can also refer to the instructions included in the kit to find out how to do it right.
You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. A good guideline is to put the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters away from the ground since this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to move through the flap easily and will make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to get inside or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. If your kit comes with an outline of paper, place it over the door and use the markings to drill holes into every corner of the template. Then, you'll be able to cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself in a wood or uPVC door if you are confident with a jigsaw. Be sure not to cut into the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle depending on the way you'd like it. Remember to take your time and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new home. Make sure it is securely secured. If it has caps for screws, then put these caps onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to go through it by placing a small amount cat food on the front of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your cat has become used to walking through the flap, it will be able to come and go at will. This will allow you to let it in and out whenever it's wanted.
It is possible to fit a cat flap in an UPVC door or glass door, however it might not be as easy as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is because the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut the opening for the flap and will also affect whether the flap is fitted correctly after it has been put in place.
Depending on the type of cat flap you choose It may be equipped with a mounting kit and a template that will tell exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to make one on your own. When cutting, it is important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too far enough to create a larger hole than is necessary in your door.
Most cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, but there are some that are circular, and they are usually more difficult to place. If you have a round flap, make sure the hole is in the correct spot on your door. If not, your cat may not be able use it, and might be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Some cat flaps have locks which let you control the time your cat comes and goes. These are very helpful if you're worried about your cat going out at night and 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 older cats or sick cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.