Fitting a Cat Flap

The process of installing a cat flap may be a bit daunting however it's actually quite simple with the proper instructions. Decide how high you'd like the flap to be (normally it's at belly height). Note this on your door, and use the template included to guide you when drilling.
If you have a kitten who 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 each time it passes.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap allows your pet to enter and exit your home at any time. This will keep your cat healthy since it will ensure that it gets enough exercise and be able to go back inside if it gets trapped in the elements during bad weather. This can reduce the time you have to let your cat in or out and make your home safe by notifying you when it has left.
It is crucial that the flap for your cat is correctly fitted to prevent your pet from escaping 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 of your house in order to make sure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter 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 use a spirit level to mark the centre of the door that you will be installing the flap. Using the marking as a reference, use an jigsaw to cut the form of the flap within the door. After you've cut the area, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Make upvc door panel cat flap that are required.
Installing a cat flap ought to not take longer than two hours. However, the process may be a bit more difficult when you have to install it into the door of a uPVC or composite door as these doors come with an array of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed into. We always recommend to contact an expert if this is your first experience with glass.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap can save you from hours of listening to your pet meow for you to let it out or in. This is particularly helpful when your cat is inside during the winter months when you are at work.
If you're planning to put a cat flap inside your door, it is crucial to measure your cat before attempting the task. It might seem like a simple task, but it is important to make sure you measure the right measurements. If not, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, ensure that your cat is calm before taking measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against the body. By keeping the measuring tape or ruler against their body from the top of their head to the bottom of their tail will enable you to make an exact measurement.
Once you have the measurement of your cat, it is time to take a look at the door and decide where you want to place the flap. The best option is to position the flap at the height of your cat's belly as it will allow them to move through it with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap making quite a lot of noise when it swings open and closed.
You should consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While timber doors are all of a similar thickness, uPVC and composite doors are different in their overall construction, which can make fitting a cat flap more complicated because you must ensure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
It is also worthwhile studying the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to locate 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 also make sure that the template is placed correctly on the door. Using a spirit-level to check that the template is right against the door will also be extremely helpful.
Cut the Flap
Before you can install your cat flap, you'll need to cut the door panel to make a space big enough for 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 skills or experience to complete the task yourself. You can also refer to the instructions that come with the kit to discover how to do it properly.
To do this, you have to take a measurement of the height of your cat's or kitten's belly and use this as a reference point. A good guideline is to set the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters off the ground, as this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This will allow your cat to move through the flap with ease and make it more difficult for other cats or naughty neighbours to enter or exit.
Draw the location of the cat flap on the door with the pencil. Next, if your kit includes a template for paper, place this over the door and use the markings to drill holes into each corner of the template. After that, you'll be able cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself in the door made of wood or uPVC If you're comfortable with a Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw to cut the panel into a square or circle depending on the design of your cat flap. Make sure to take your time and don't force the jigsaw to cut faster.
After the hole has been cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the flap onto its new location and make sure that it is firmly secured. If it has screw caps, then push these caps onto the screws that protrude. After the screws are installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will block drafts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have an ordinary cat flap, you can help your pet through it by placing a small amount cat food on the top of the door. You can also push the cat using the help of a stick or your hands. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap it is likely to be able in and out as it wants, so you can let it out or in without having to be there holding the door open to allow it in all day (and likely in all weather conditions).
More methods is possible to fit the flap inside the UPVC doors or glass door, but it's not as simple as installing one in a wooden external door. This is because the UPVC doors and certain types of glass doors don't have an even thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut the flap's hole, and how well the flap fits after installation.
Depending on the type of cat flap you pick It may include a mounting kit and template that will show you exactly where to drill holes for it. If the kit doesn't include the template, you can photocopy it to create your own. When cutting, it's important to avoid pushing the jigsaw too far enough to create a bigger hole than necessary in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which can be more difficult to put in. If you have a circular flap, make sure the hole is located in the correct spot on the door. If not, your cat may not be able to use it, and could be stuck outside the whole day (or at night).
Certain models of cat flaps have locks that permit you to manage when your cat comes and goes. These are very helpful in the event that you are worried about your pet going out at night and then coming back in the darkness, or if you're working all day. Some locks can be used for entry or exit, and others can be locked both ways. This is useful for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.