Fitting A Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap might be fitting a cat flap in a upvc door bit daunting however it's actually quite easy to do with the right instructions. Decide how high you'd like your cat flap to be (normally, it is at belly height). Note this on the door and use the template as a guide to drill.

If you have a small kitten hold the door slightly open and gradually encourage it to pass through. Reward the kitten as it goes through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap is a wonderful method to let your pet come and go in and out of your home whenever it likes. This can help keep your cat in good health by ensuring that it is getting exercise and also being able to go back in if it is trapped outside in bad weather, especially during the winter. It can also cut down on the amount of time you have to spend letting it in or out and will also help keep your home safe by allowing you to know when it's been out.

However, it is important that the cat flap step flap is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly as well as the doorway to your home so that you can make sure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is a little longer or taller than the average, you can alter the flap's height by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount.

The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the center of the door, where you will install the flap. Using the marking as a reference, use an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap within the door. After you've cut the area, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes that are needed.

The installation of a cat flap should not take more than two hours. The process can be slightly more challenging if you need to install it on the case of a uPVC door or composite one. This is because these doors with cat flap are available in a variety of thicknesses, which can affect the way that holes are cut. We always recommend to contact a professional for your first experience working with glass.

Measure Your Cat

You can avoid hours of listening to the pet's meow to be let in or out. This is especially helpful for cats that are in the house during all seasons while you are at work.

It is crucial to measure your cat's measurements first before you attempt the installation. It may seem like a straightforward task, but it is important to make sure you measure the right measurements. Otherwise, your pet may find it difficult to use.

Firstly, make sure your cat is calm and not anxious prior to taking the measurements. You'll need to keep your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the tip of their tail will allow you to get an accurate measurement.

Once you've figured out the measurements of your cat, it is time to look at the door and decide on where you want to place the flap. A good tip is to position the flap in the middle of your cat's belly 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 closed.

You will also need to think about the thickness and the structure of the uPVC door or composite. While all timber doors have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall design. This makes the process of putting in an enclosure for your cat flap in upvc door panel more difficult, as you have to make sure that the hole is the proper size.

It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions included with the cat flap kit to locate an outline of the template that can be used to mark the location of the hole inside the door. This will allow you determine where the opening needs to be and ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also a good idea to use a spirit-level to ensure that the template is perfectly against the door.

Cut the Flap

You'll need to cut an opening in the door panel for your cat flap before you can put it in place. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting service for this step if you don't have the skills or experience to do it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions that come in the kit to find out how to do it properly.

To do this, you have to measure the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as an indication point. A good rule of thumb is to set the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters from the ground as this is the typical belly height for cats. Your cat can move through the flap without difficulty and will also make the other cats or neighbours who are snooping difficult time trying to enter or leave.

Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with the pencil. If your kit comes with an outline, place it over the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at each corner. Then, you should be able to cut out the shape of the template 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 you are comfortable with the Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut your panel into a circle or square according to the way you'd like it. Take your time, and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster.

Once the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure it is securely secured. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand any rough edges of the cut and then apply sealant around any gaps to ensure that there aren't any draughts getting into your home.

Fit the Flap

If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can try to encourage your pet to go through it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. Alternately, you can push the cat through with your hands or with a stick. Once your cat is comfortable walking through the flap, it will be capable of walking through the flap whenever it wants. This lets you let it in and out whenever it wants.

It is possible to fit the flap inside the UPVC doors or glass door, but it might not be as simple as putting one inside a wooden exterior door. This is because the doors made of UPVC and some kinds of glass doors do not have a uniform thickness. This could affect how you cut the opening for the flap and can also affect whether your flap fits correctly once it's installed.

The mounting kit might 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 create your own. When cutting, it's important to not push the jigsaw hard so that you don't create a bigger hole than is necessary in your door.

Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which are more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap it's essential to make sure the hole is in the proper position on your door because if it's not, the cat can't use it and could be left outside all day (or even night).

Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to control the time your cat is allowed to enter and leave. These are useful for pets who are afraid of going out in the dark, or coming back to the house at night. They can also be helpful if you work all day. Some locks can be used for entry or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is beneficial for sick or older cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.