Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might be a bit daunting however it's actually quite simple by following the correct instructions. First, determine the height you would like the flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on the door, and use the template as a guideline to drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to pass through. Reward the kitten each time it moves through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at any time. This will help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to get back in if trapped outside in bad weather, particularly during the winter. This will cut down on the time you have to let your cat in or out and also make your home safe by letting you know when it's left.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is installed correctly to stop your pet from being pushed through it or escaping by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly and the doorway of your house to make sure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is longer or taller than the average, you can alter the position of the flap by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the centre of the door, where you will install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap within the door. Once you have cut out the area, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes required.
The process of installing a cat flap isn't as complicated as you believe and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire job from start to the end. The process is slightly more difficult if you have to install it in the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because composite doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which can impact the way holes are cut. We always suggest that you call a professional when this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can save yourself hours of ignoring the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is particularly useful when you're at work all day and your cat has to stay in the waiting room until you come home regardless of the weather.
It is important to measure your cat first before you attempt the installation. Although it might appear to be an easy task, it is crucial to make sure you measure correctly or your cat may be unable to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is calm and not feeling stressed prior to taking the measurements. You will need to hold them in a position where they are not able to move, and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not arching in any places. You can get an accurate measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you have your cat's measurements then you can examine the door to decide where to place the flap. The best option is to position the flap on the highest point of your cat's stomach as this will help them to get through it with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap from making too much noise when it swings back and back.
You must take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While all timber doors have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This could make the process of the process of putting in a flap for your cat more difficult, as you need to ensure the hole is of the correct size.
It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions 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 determine where the opening needs to be and also make sure the template is placed correctly on the door. Using a spirit level to check that the template is sitting flush against the door will also be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap, you'll must cut the door's panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitter to complete this task should you not have the expertise or knowledge to complete the task yourself. cat flap in bifold doors can also refer to the instructions included in the kit to find out how to do it properly.
To do this, you have to measure the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use that as an indicator point. As a rule of thumb you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap with ease and make it more difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you've determined the location where the cat flap needs to be located, mark the position on the door with a pencil. If your kit includes an outline put it on top of the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes in each corner. After that, you'll be able to cut the template and replace it with the flap for cats.
You can install the cat flap yourself inside a wood or uPVC door If you're comfortable using the use of a jigsaw. Be careful not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or circle depending on the way you want it. Make sure to take your time and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place the cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure it is solidly secured. If it features caps for screws, then put them onto the screws that protrude. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will prevent the entry of draughts into your home.
Place upvc door panel with cat 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 top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with a stick or your hand. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap it will be able to move into and out as it wants so you can let it out and in without having to be there to open the door for it all day (and likely in all weathers).
It is possible to fit a cat flap into the UPVC or glass doors however it's not as simple as fitting one into a wood external door since the UPVC doors and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This can have a major impact on how you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap fits correctly after installation.
Based on the type of cat flap you choose, it may come with its own mounting kit and a template that shows precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include a template you can copy it to create your own. It is important not to push the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't create a larger than needed hole in your door.
Most cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, however there are also some which are circular, and are typically more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the correct position on your door, because if it's not, your cat won't be able to use it and could be stranded in the open all day (or even night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to determine when your cat is allowed to enter and leave. These are useful when your cat is scared of going out in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They are also useful if you work all day. Certain locks can be used for entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to venture out in cold weather.