Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might be a bit daunting, but it is fairly easy to do with the right instructions. Find out how cat flaps for french doors 'd like the flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and use the included template to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door open very slightly and gradually allow it to pass through. Reward the kitten each time it goes through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is an excellent option to allow your pet to move inside and out of your home as it pleases. This will keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it is getting enough exercise and be able to go back inside if it gets trapped outside in bad weather. It can also reduce the amount of time you have to spend letting it out or in. It can also protect your home by letting you know when it's been out.
However, it is important that the flap on your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the width of the doorway at your home to ensure the flap is at the correct height. You can alter the height of your flap when your cat is smaller or taller than average.
Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. Then, using the marks as an outline, cut the shape of your flap using the help of a jigsaw. Once you have cut out the door, sand the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes required.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take more than two hours. However, the process may be a bit more difficult in the event that you have to put it into the door of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come in a wide range of thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed to. We recommend to consult with an expert when this is your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You can avoid hours of listening to the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is especially helpful when you're at working all 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 attempt the installation. While it may seem a simple operation it is essential to make sure you measure correctly or your cat will find it very difficult to use.
Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not stressed before you take the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a place where they cannot move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against the body. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the base of their tail will allow you to make an exact measurement.
Once you've determined your cat's measurement then you can examine the door to decide where to place the flap. It is advisable to position the flap at the height of your cat's stomach as it will allow them to move through it without much effort. This will also stop the flap making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and shut.
You must take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While timber doors are of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall design and can make fitting a cat flap more difficult as you will need to make sure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile reading through the directions that come with the kit to find an outline of the template that can be used to mark the position of the hole in the door. This will allow you determine where the opening must be and also make sure that the template is placed correctly on the door. It is also beneficial to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template sits perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to make an opening in the door panel for your cat flap prior to you can install it. It's a challenging task so it's recommended you hire a professional to help you if you lack the expertise or experience. It is also recommended that you consult the instructions that come with the kit to find out how to do it correctly.
To do this, you have to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as an indicator point. As a general rule, place the cat flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the average height of the stomach for cats. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap with ease and will make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Once you've decided the best location for the cat flap to be placed, mark this location on the door using the help of a pencil. If your kit comes with a paper template, lay it on top of the door and use the marks to drill holes into every corner of the template. You will then be able to cut the template's shape and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap inside an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do this yourself if you are comfortable with a Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut into the vertical rails or mullions of your door. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle according to the way you'd like it. Remember to take your time and don't try to make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new home. Make sure it is securely secured. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop draughts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet through it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through with your hand or a stick. Once your cat has become comfortable walking through the flap, it will be able to come and go at will. This allows you to let it in and out as it wishes.
It is possible to fit a cat flap in a UPVC door or a glass door, however it may not be as simple as putting one in a wooden external door. This is due to the fact that the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. through wall cat flap could have a dramatic effect on the way you cut the hole for the flap and could affect the way your flap is fitted correctly after it has been installed.
Depending on the type of cat flap you choose It may come with its own mounting kit and template that shows exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit does not include a template you can create one by yourself. It's important not to use the jigsaw to hard when cutting, so it doesn't make a larger than necessary hole in your door.
Some cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, ensure that the hole is located in the correct spot on the door. If not, your cat may not be able to access it, and could be locked outside for the entire day (or at night).
Some models of cat flap have locks which let you manage when your cat comes and goes. They can be extremely useful if you're worried about your pet going out at night and then coming back in due to the darkness, or you're at work all day. Certain locks can be used to lock entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for older cats or sick cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.