It might seem daunting to put up the flap for your cat however, with the proper instructions it's not that hard. Find out how high you'd like the cat flap (normally it's located at the belly height). Note this on your door, and use the included template to help you drill.
If you have a young kitten you can prop the door open very slightly and gradually encourage it to pass through. Reward it as it passes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a wonderful way to let your pet leave and come into and out of your house as it wants. This can help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is exercising and also being able to get back in if stuck outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. This will cut down on the time you spend letting your cat in or out and also make your home secure by letting you know when it's gone.
It is important to ensure that the cat flap is placed properly to stop your pet from being pushed through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway of your house so that you can make sure that the flap is at the correct height. You can alter the height of your flap when your cat is smaller or taller than average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door that you will be installing the flap. Then, using the mark as a guideline, cut out the form of your flap using the help of a jigsaw. After you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes that are needed.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take longer than two hours. The process is a bit more complicated if you are required to put it in the form of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors are available in a variety of thicknesses, which can impact the way that holes are cut. This is why we recommend calling a professional to carry out the task, especially if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of ignoring the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful for cats that are in the house during all seasons when you are at work.
It is essential to measure your cat's measurements first before attempting to install. Although it might seem like an easy task, it is crucial to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will find it very difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is relaxed and not stressed before you take the measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a position where they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against their body. You can get 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 figured out the measurements of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide on where to place the flap. Position the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to walk through the door with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap making quite a lot of noise when it opens and closes.
You must think about the thickness of the uPVC or composite door as well. While all timber doors have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall structure. This could make the process of the installation of a flap for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is the proper size.
It is also worth studying the instructions that come with the kit to find an outline of the template that can be used to mark out the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine the location where the opening should be, and also to make sure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to ensure that the template is right against the door will be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap you need to cut the door panel in order to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This can be a tricky job, and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitter for this step if you don't have the expertise or knowledge to tackle it yourself. You can also read the instructions provided in the kit to find out how to do it correctly.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. As a rule of thumb put the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the belly for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to get inside or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door with pencil. If your kit includes a template for paper, place it on top of the door and use the markings to drill holes into every corner of the template. cat flap in upvc door panel will then be able to cut the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if you are confident enough to use 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 your panel into a square or a circle, depending on how you'd like it. Be patient and don't try to try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is made and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap onto its new home and make sure that it is firmly secured. If the flap has screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by placing a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your cat is accustomed 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 as it wishes.
It is possible to fit a cat flap in an UPVC door or glass door, however it's not as simple as installing one inside a wooden exterior door. This is due to the fact that the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole, and whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
The mounting kit might include a template showing you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include a template you can copy it to create your own. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw far enough to 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 are typically more difficult to place. If you have a circular flap, it is essential to ensure that the hole is in the proper position on your door, because in the event that it's not, the cat will not be able to use the flap and may be stuck in the open all day (or even night).
Certain models of cat flaps have locks which allow you to regulate the time your cat comes and goes. They can be extremely useful if you're worried about your pet going out at night only to come back in because of the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. cat flap fitters near me can be engaged to allow or deny entry, and some locks can be locked in both directions, permitting you to close the door completely. This is especially helpful for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen on going out in bad weather.
