Fitting A Cat Flap
It may seem difficult to put up a cat flap however, with the proper guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, decide how high you would like the flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on the door, and use the template as a guideline to drill.
If you have a small kitten, prop the door slightly open and gradually allow it to enter. Reward the kitten every time it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at any time. This can keep your cat in good health as it will ensure that it gets enough exercise and will also allow it to return inside if it is stranded outside during bad weather. It can also reduce the amount of time you'll have to spend letting it out or in. It will also help keep your home safe by letting you be aware of when it went out.
However, it is important that the cat flap is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway of your house in order to make sure that the flap is at the proper height. You can adjust the position of your flap in case your cat is smaller or taller than average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you'll install the flap. Using the marking as a guideline, you can use an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap inside the door. After you've cut the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process can be slightly more complicated in the event that you have to put it into the frame of a uPVC or composite door because these doors come in an array of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. This is the reason we recommend calling a professional to complete the job, particularly if you have never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hours of hearing your pet's cries to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful for those who work most of the day and your cat is stuck in the waiting room until you come home in any weather.
It is crucial to first measure your cat before you begin the installation. Although it might seem like to be a simple task, it is important to measure the right way or your cat flap installer will find it difficult to use.
First of all, make sure that your cat is relaxed and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. 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've figured out the measurements of your cat's body, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where you want to place the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to pass through the door without much effort. This will also avoid the flap making lots of noise when it opens and closes.
You should also think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. Although timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall structure, which can make fitting a cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure that the hole you cut is the correct size for your pet.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the position of the opening on the door. This will help you determine where the hole should be located and ensure that the template is positioned properly on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to make sure that the template is sitting in a straight line against the door can be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap, you'll have to cut the door's panel to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This is a difficult task and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting service for this step in case you don't have the expertise or knowledge to tackle it yourself. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to learn how to do it correctly.
You can take the height of the cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. In general put the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the average height of the belly for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap without difficulty and will make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
The position of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. Next, if your kit includes a paper template, lay this over the door and use the marks to drill holes in each corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap in a door made from wood or uPVC, you are able to do it yourself if are confident enough to use using a Jigsaw. Be careful not to cut through the vertical rails or mullions 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. Remember to take your time and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is made then carefully insert the flap onto its new home and make sure that it is securely fixed. If it has caps on the screws, then place them onto the protruding screws. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop the entry of draughts into your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to walk through by putting a little bit of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat with a stick or your hand. Once your cat flap glass door installation near me is used to walking through the flap it should be able to go in and out as it wants so you can let it in or out without holding the door open for it throughout the day (and possibly in all weathers).
It is possible to put the flap inside the upvc door panel cat flap doors or glass door, but it may not be as simple as putting one on a wooden external door. This is because UPVC doors and some types of glass doors don't have an even 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 been put in place.
Based on the type of cat flap you choose It could include a mounting kit and template that shows precisely where to drill holes for it. If the kit does not include the template you can use a photocopier to make your own. When cutting, it's crucial to not push the jigsaw far enough to create a bigger hole than necessary in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are also some which are circular, and they are typically more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, it's essential to make sure the hole is in the right position on your door because if it's not, your cat won't be able to use it and may be stuck in the open all day (or even night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to control the time your cat can enter and leave. They can be extremely useful when you're worried about your pet going out at night and then coming back in due to the darkness, or you're working all day. Some locks can be used to lock entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for older cats or sick cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.