Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might be a bit daunting however it's actually quite simple with the proper instructions. Firstly, determine how high you want the cat flap to be (on average, belly height). Then, mark this area on your door and use the included template as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten that is still a newborn and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and allow it to pass through. Reward the kitten each time it moves through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap lets your pet to enter and exit your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat healthy by ensuring that it gets exercise as well as being able to get back in if stuck outside in the rainy weather, especially during the winter. This will reduce the amount of time you have to let your cat in or out, and keep your home safe by notifying you when it has left.
It is essential to ensure that the cat flap is set up correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure your pet's belly height and the entrance to your home to make sure that the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the position of your flap if your cat is smaller or taller than the average.
The next step is to use a spirit level to mark the center of the door. This is where you will put in the flap. With the markings as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap in the door. After you've cut the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make any holes that are required.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process could be a bit more difficult in the event that you have to put it onto the frame of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come in a wide range of thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. This is the reason we recommend calling a professional to carry out the task, especially in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hearing your pet's cries for you to let it in or out. This is particularly useful for those who work all day and your cat is stuck in the house waiting for you to get home in all weathers.
If you want to fit a cat flap inside your door, it is crucial to measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might seem like a simple operation it is essential to get the measurement right or your cat may be unable to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against the body. You can get an accurate 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 got the measurement of your cat, it's 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 without much effort. This will also prevent the flap from making a lot noise as it swings back and forth.
You should 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 may differ in their overall construction and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult because you must make sure the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
You can make use of the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the opening on the door. This will help you to determine where the opening must be, and also to make sure the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also beneficial to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is placed perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap before you can install it. It's a challenging job and it is recommended that you engage a professional to assist you if you do not have the knowledge or skills. It is also recommended that you read the instructions included with the cat flap kit to discover how to do it correctly.
To do this, you have to determine the height of your cat's or kitten's belly. Use this as a reference point. A good guideline is to set the flap around 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is the typical height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat to pass through the flap easily and make it more difficult for other cats and nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
The position of the cat flap on the door using pencil. Then, if your kit has a template for paper, place this over the door and use the markings to drill holes in each corner of the template. Then, cat flap fitting near me RepairMyWindowsAndDoors should be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself in a wood or uPVC door when you're confident using the jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut through any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square depending on the way you'd like to cut it. Be patient and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new place of residence. Make sure that it is firmly secured. If the flap has screw caps then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut and then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by placing a small amount of cat food in front of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or with a stick. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap, it should be able to go into and out as it pleases, so you can let it out or in without having to be there holding the door open to allow it in all day (and possibly in all weathers).
You can install the flap onto the UPVC or glass doors but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a timber external door since the UPVC doors and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have a significant impact on how you cut out the flap's hole, and whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
Depending on the type of cat flap you select It may come with its own mounting kit and template that shows precisely where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include the template you can copy it to create your own. When cutting, it's important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too to the point that you create a bigger hole than is necessary in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are rectangular or square in shape, but there are also some which are circular, and are typically more difficult to fit. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the correct location on your door as in the event that it's not, the cat won't be able to use it and could be left outside all day (or even night).
Some models of cat flap have locks that allow you to control the time your cat comes and goes. This is useful when your cat is scared of leaving in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They are also useful if you work all day. Some locks can be used for either access or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.