The process of installing a cat flap may be a bit daunting however it's actually quite easy to do with the right instructions. Firstly, determine how high you would like the flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the template provided as a guide 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 encourage it to pass through. Reward the kitten each time it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent way to let your pet move inside and out of your home as it wants. This will help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise and also being able to get back inside if trapped outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. This can reduce the time you spend letting your cat in or out and also make your home safer by notifying you when it has left.
It is crucial that the cat flap is properly fitted to stop your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). You should determine the height of your pet's belly and the height of the doorway in your home to ensure the flap is at the right height. You can adjust the height of your flap in case your cat is taller or less than average.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the centre of the door, where you will be installing the flap. Then, using the marks as an outline, cut the shape of the flap on the door with the aid of a jigsaw. After you've cut the area and sanded the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
The process of installing a cat flap isn't as difficult as you think and it should not take more than two hours for the entire job from start to the end. However, the process may be slightly more complicated in the event that you have to put it onto the frame of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come in various thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. We always suggest to consult with a professional for your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of hearing your pet's cries to let it out or in. This is especially helpful when your cat is inside in all weathers while you work.
If you're planning to put a cat flap in your door, it is crucial that you take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. While it may seem to be a simple task, it is essential to get the measurement right or your pet will find it difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You will need to hold them in a way that they cannot move and also ensure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not arching in any places. cat flap install repairmywindowsanddoors can take 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 and measurements, you need to examine the door to decide where to put the flap. It is advisable to position the flap in the middle of your cat's stomach as this will help them to get through it without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise when it swings back and back.
It is also important to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall structure. This can make the installation of a flap for your cat more difficult as you must ensure that the hole is of the correct size.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will help you determine where the hole should be located and ensure that the template is set precisely on the door. It is also a good idea to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is placed in a straight line against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap prior to you can attach it. It's a challenging task, so it's recommended that you hire a professional to assist you if you don't have the expertise or experience. It is also recommended to consult the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do it correctly.
To do this, you will need to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as a reference point. A good guideline is to set the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters from the ground as this is the typical height of the cat's belly. This way your cat can move through the flap with ease and will also make the other cats or neighbours who are snooping an issue when trying to leave or enter.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit has an outline, place it over the door. Utilize the markings on the template to drill holes at every corner. Then, you'll be able to cut out the template and replace it with the cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself on an uPVC or wood door if you are confident with the Jigsaw. Be sure not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully place the cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure it's firmly secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will block the entry of draughts into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount cat food on the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with a stick or your hand. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap, it should be able to go into and out as it pleases so you can let it in or out without having to be there keeping the door open to allow it in all day (and potentially in all weather conditions).
It is possible to fit an animal flap into an UPVC door or glass door, but it's not as easy as installing one on a wooden external door. This is because the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors don't have a uniform thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on how you cut the hole for the flap and will also affect whether the flap will fit properly once it's installed.
The mounting kit might contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template, you are able to make one by yourself. It's important to not use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so it doesn't leave a bigger than needed hole in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape but there are some that are circular, and they are typically more difficult to place. If you have a circular flap it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the right position on your door because if it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and could be left in the open all day (or even night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you control the time your cat can enter and leave. They can be extremely useful if you're concerned about your cat going out at night and coming back in because of the darkness, or you're working all day. Certain locks can be used for either access or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is useful for sick or older cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.