Fitting A Cat Flap

It might seem daunting to put up a cat flap, but with the right guidelines, it's not all that difficult. First, determine the height you want the flap to be (on average or belly height). Mark this point on your door and then use the template provided as a guide when drilling.

If you have a kitten that is still a baby, gently prop the door slightly open and allow it to go through. Reward it when it goes through.

Take a measurement of the door

A cat flap lets your pet to move into and out of your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it is exercising regularly and will also allow it to return inside if it is stranded outside in bad weather. It can also reduce the amount of time you need to let it out or in and can protect your home by allowing you to know when it has gone out.

It is essential to make sure that the cat flap is placed correctly to stop your pet from being pushed through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is important to measure the height of your pet's belly as well as the height of the doorway at your home to ensure that the flap is at the proper height. If your cat is a little larger or shorter than the average, you can adjust the position of the flap by moving it up or down a small amount.

The next step is to make use of a spirit level to mark the centre of the door that you will install the flap. Utilizing the marking as a guideline, you can use the jigsaw and cut the form of the flap in the door. Once you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to smooth the surfaces. Then drill any fixing holes that are required.

The process of installing the cat flap isn't as complicated as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire process from beginning to the end. However, the process can be a little more complicated if you need to fit it onto the frame of a uPVC or composite door because these doors come in a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are fixed into. This is why we recommend calling an expert to do the work, particularly if you have 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 especially helpful for those who work all day and your cat has to stay in the waiting room until you come home in any weather.

If you are planning to install a cat flap in your door it is important that you determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. Although it might seem like a simple operation it is important to make sure you measure correctly or your cat may find it very difficult to use.

First, make sure that your cat is calm before you begin taking measurements. You'll need to hold them in a manner that they cannot move and also make sure that the measuring tape or ruler is flat against their body and not bending in any place. You can get a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.

Once you've determined your cat's measurements, it's time to examine the door to determine where to put the flap. It is advisable to place the flap on the highest point of your cat's belly because this will allow them to pass through it without too much effort. This will also stop the flap from making a lot noise when it swings back door with cat flap fitted and back.

It is also important to take into consideration the thickness and structure of the uPVC door or composite. While timber doors are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall construction and this can make the installation of a cat flap more complicated since you have to make sure that the hole you make is the proper size for your pet.

It is also worthwhile reading through the directions included with the kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to mark out the location of the hole in the door. This will help you to determine where the opening must be and also ensure that the template is properly placed on the door. Utilizing a spirit level to make sure that the template is right against the door will also prove beneficial.

Cut the Flap

Before you can install your cat flap you must cut the door panel in order to create a space large enough for it. This can be a tricky task and it is recommended to seek out the assistance of a professional cat flap fitting - fernandez-wall-3.mdwrite.Net, service to complete this task should you not have the skills or experience to do it yourself. You can also refer to the instructions that come with the kit to learn how to do it 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 flap around 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is approximately the average belly height for cats. Your cat will be able to go through the flap with ease and also give other cats or snooping neighbours an issue when trying to enter or leave.

Once you have determined the best location for the cat flap to be placed, mark this position on the door with the help of a pencil. If your kit has a template put it on top of the door. Use the marks on the template to drill holes at every corner. You will then be able to cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap cover for winter flap.

If you are installing your cat flap on the form of a door made of wood or upvc door panels cat flap, you can do this yourself if you feel confident enough to handle a jigsaw. Be sure to not cut through any of the door's mullions, or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or a circle, depending on the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw to cut faster.

Once the hole is cut, carefully place your cat flap cost flap in its new home. Make sure it's solidly secured. If it features caps for screws, then put these caps onto the protruding screws. Once the screws have been installed smooth the edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop drafts from entering your home.

Place the Flap

If you have a simple cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food in the front of the door. You can also try pushing the cat through with your hands or a stick. Once your pet is used to walking through the flap it is likely to be able into and out as it wants so you can let it out and in without having to be there keeping the door open for it all day (and potentially in all weather conditions).

You can install an animal flap inside a UPVC or glass door although this may not be as simple as fitting one into a timber exterior door due to the fact that UPVC and some glass doors aren't a uniform thickness. This could have a dramatic effect on how you cut the opening for the flap and could affect the way your flap is fitted correctly after it has installed.

The mounting kit could include a template showing you where to drill holes. If the kit does not come with a template, you can make one yourself. It is important not to press the jigsaw too hard when cutting, so it doesn't leave a bigger than necessary hole in your door.

The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape, but there are some that are circular, and are usually more difficult to fit. 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).

Some cat flaps have locks that let you control the time your cat can enter and leave. This is useful if your pet is afraid of leaving in the dark, or coming back inside 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 in both directions. This is useful for sick or older cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.