Fitting A Cat Flap
Fitting a cat flap can appear daunting but it's simple to install by following the correct instructions. Decide how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's located at the belly height). Then, mark this area on your door, and use the included template to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten that is still a baby then gently prop the door slightly open and invite it to walk through. Reward the kitten as it goes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap is an excellent method to let your pet leave and come into and out of your home whenever it pleases. This will keep your cat healthy since it will ensure that it gets enough exercise and be able to return inside if it is trapped outside in bad weather. It also can reduce the amount of time you'll have to allow it out or in. It can also protect your home by allowing you to know when it's been out.
It is crucial that the flap for your cat is fitted correctly to prevent your pet from being able to escape through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home in order to ensure that the flap is at the right height. If your cat is taller or shorter than average, you can adjust the flap's position by moving it up or down a small amount.
The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the center of the door where you will install the flap. Then, using the marks as an outline, cut the shape of the flap using a Jigsaw. Once you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes needed.
Fitting a cat flap should not take more than two hours. However, the process may be a bit more difficult if you need to fit it inside the frame of a uPVC or composite door because 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 inserted into. We always suggest that you call an expert if this is your first experience working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap in bifold doors flap can spare you from hearing your pet's cries for you to let it out or in. This is especially helpful for those who work most of the day and your cat is in the house waiting for you to get home in any weather.
It is crucial to measure your cat's measurements first before you attempt the installation. It may appear to be a simple task, but it is important to make sure you measure the right measurements. In the event that you don't, your cat flap bifold doors might find it difficult to use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to keep 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. By keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from their head to the base of their tail will enable you to determine an exact measurement.
Once you have the measurement of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where to put the flap. Place the flap at the level of your cat's belly. This will allow them to go through the door without much effort. This will also stop the flap from making quite a lot of noise when it opens and closes.
It is also important to consider the thickness and structure of the upvc door panel with cat flap fitted door or composite. While timber doors are all of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors may differ in their overall design and this can make the installation of a cat flap more difficult since you have to make sure the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile looking through the instructions included with the kit to locate an illustration template that can be used to determine the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you determine where the opening must be and ensure that the template is correctly positioned on the door. Using a spirit-level to make sure that the template is sitting flush against the door will be very helpful.
Cut the Flap
You'll need to cut an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap before you can attach it. This can be a challenging job and it is recommended that you get help from a professional cat flap fitting service for this step if you don't have the knowledge or skills to do it yourself. It is also recommended that you consult the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do it correctly.
You can use the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach as a reference. In general, place the cat flap approximately 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the stomach for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and will make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to get inside or out.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. Next, if your kit includes an outline of paper, place this over the door and use the marks to drill holes into each corner of the template. Then, you should be able cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on an entryway made of wood or uPVC, you can do it yourself if feel confident enough to handle a Jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. 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 force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is made, carefully place the cat flap in its new home. Make sure that it is firmly secured. If the flap has screw caps put them on the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed then sand the rough edges and seal any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.
Place the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can help your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the top of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the double glazing cat flap through with your hands or with a stick. Once your cat is used to walking through the flap, it should be able to go into and out as it pleases and you should be able to let it out and in without having to be there holding the door open to allow it in all day (and potentially in all weathers).
You can fit a cat flap into the UPVC or glass doors but it's not exactly the same as fitting one into a timber external door since UPVC and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could affect how you cut the hole for the flap, and can also affect whether your flap is fitted correctly after it has been installed.
The mounting kit may contain a template that outlines the best places to drill holes. If the kit does not include the template, you can photocopy it to create your own. When cutting, it's important to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too to the point that you 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 these are generally more difficult to place. If you have a round flap, make sure 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 use it, and might be locked outside for the entire day (or night).
Some cat flaps have locks which permit you to manage when your cat comes and goes. They can be extremely useful if you're concerned about your cat going out at night only to come back in due to the darkness, or you're at work for the entire day. The lock can be used for entry or exit and some can be locked in both directions, permitting you to close the door completely. This is particularly beneficial for cats with a chronic illness or older age who aren't keen on going out in rainy weather.
