Fitting A Cat Flap
Installing a cat flap might appear daunting but it's simple by following the correct instructions. Firstly, determine how high you would like the flap to be (on average or belly height). Then, mark this area on the door and use the template included as a guide to drill.
If you have a kitten that is still a newborn and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and encourage it to go through. Reward the kitten every time it moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap insulation flap is an excellent way to let your pet move into and out of your home whenever it wants. This can help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise as well as being able to get back in if stuck outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. It can also reduce the amount of time you have to allow it out or in and will also help protect your home by letting you know when it's been out.
It is crucial that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly and the entrance to your home so that you can ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat flap installation in glass doors near me is a little longer or taller than the normal, you can adjust the flap's height by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the centre of the door, where you will be installing the flap. Then, using the markings as a guideline, cut out the contour of the flap with the aid of a jigsaw. After cutting the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any holes you need to.
The process of installing a cat flap is not as complicated as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire task from start to the end. However, the process can be a bit more difficult when you have to install it into the frame of a uPVC or composite door as these doors have various thicknesses that can affect the way the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. We always recommend to contact an expert if this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can spare you from hours of listening to your pet's meow for you to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful for those who work all day and your cat is stuck in the waiting room until you come home in any weather.
If you are planning to install a cat flap inside your door, it is crucial that you measure your cat flaps for french doors before attempting the task. Although it might seem like an easy task, it is important to measure the right way or your cat may find it very difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to keep them in a manner that they cannot move and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body, not bending in any place. Holding the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the tip of their tail will allow you to determine an precise measurement.
Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where to place the flap. The flap should be placed at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door with minimal effort. This will also stop the flap making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and shut.
It is also important to consider the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all doors made of timber have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors are different in their overall design. This could make the process of the process of putting in a flap for your cat more difficult as you have to make sure that the hole is the right size.
It is also worthwhile reading through the directions included with the cat flap kit to find an illustration template that can be used to determine the location of the hole inside the door. This will help you to see where the opening needs to be and make sure that the template is properly placed on the door. It is also helpful to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template is flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut an opening in the door panel for your cat flap installation cost near me flap prior to you can install it. This is a difficult job and it is recommended that you seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service to complete this task in case you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. It is also recommended that you review the directions that come with the cat flap kit to find out how to do this properly.
You can take the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. A good rule of thumb is to set the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is approximately the average height of the cat's belly. This will let your cat pass through the flap easily and will make it difficult for other cats and nosy neighbors to get in or out.
Once you've determined where the cat flap should be placed, mark this location on the door using a pencil. If your kit has a paper template, lay it over the door and use the markings to drill holes into each corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut the design of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can put in your cat flap yourself inside the door made of wood or uPVC when you're confident with the jigsaw. Ensure that you do not cut into any of the door's mullions or vertical rails. You can use a Jigsaw to cut your panel into a square or a circle, depending on how you'd like to cut it. Be patient and don't try to try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.
After the hole has been cut, carefully place your cat flap in its new home. Make sure it is securely secured. If it features screw caps, then push these caps onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts entering into your home.
Fit the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your pet is used to moving through the flap, it will be able to move into and out as it wants, so you can let it in or out without having to be there keeping the door open for it all day (and likely in all weathers).
You can fit a cat flap into an UPVC or glass door however it's not quite as straightforward as fitting a cat flap in a upvc door one into a wood external door since UPVC and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole and whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
The mounting kit may include a template showing you the best places to drill holes. If the kit doesn't include the template you can use a photocopier to make your own. It's important not to press the jigsaw too in order to cut, so it doesn't create a larger than necessary hole in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular designs, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a round flap, ensure that the hole is in the correct place on your door. In the event that it is not, the cat may not be able to access it, and may be locked outside for the entire day (or at night).
Certain models of cat flaps have locks that permit you to control the time your cat comes and goes. These can be very useful in the event that you are worried about your pet going out at night and coming back in because of the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. Some locks can be used to lock access or exit, and cat flap Fitting others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for sick or older cats who do not want to go outside in bad weather.