Fitting A Cat Flap
It can be difficult to put up a cat flap but with the right instructions it's not that hard. First, decide how high you would like the flap to be (on average, belly height). Note this on your door, and use the template included to help you drill.
If you have a kitten who is still a baby and you want to keep the door open, gently prop it slightly open and invite it to walk through. Reward the kitten as it moves through.
Take a measurement of the door
A cat flap is a great way to let your pet leave and come in and out of your home whenever it likes. This will help keep your cat healthy by making sure that it is getting exercise as well as being able to come back in if it is trapped outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This will reduce the amount of time you spend letting your cat go in and out, and keep your home secure by letting you know when it has left.
It is important to make sure that the cat flap is installed correctly to stop your pet from being forced through through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). It is essential to measure your pet's belly height and the doorway to your home so that you can make sure that the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the height of your flap when your cat is smaller or taller than average.
Next, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will install the flap. With the markings as a guideline, you can use a jigsaw and cut out the shape of the flap within the door. After you've cut the area out then sand the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
The process of installing the cat flap isn't as difficult as you may think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours to complete the entire job from start to finish. However, the process may be a bit more difficult when you have to install it inside the frame of a uPVC or composite door because these doors have a wide range of thicknesses which can affect how the holes are cut and what they are fixed into. We always recommend that you call a professional when this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of ignoring the cat's meows to be let in or out. This is particularly useful when you're at working all day and your cat has to stay in the waiting room until you come home regardless of the weather.
If you are planning to install a cat flap in your door it is important that you measure your cat before attempting the task. Although it might appear to be an easy task, it is crucial to make sure you measure correctly or your cat may be unable to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to hold them in a way that they are not able to move, and make sure that the ruler or measuring tape is flat against their body and not bending in any way. Holding the ruler or measuring tape against their body from their head to the base of their tail will allow you to get an accurate measurement.
Once you've got your cat's measurement then you can examine the door to decide the best place to place the flap. A good tip is to position the flap at the height of your cat's stomach as this will allow them to pass through it with minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap making a lot of noise as it swings open and shut.
It is also important to think about the thickness and the structure of the upvc door panel with cat flap fitted door or composite. While all timber doors have a similar thickness, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall design. This can make the process of putting in a flap for your cat more difficult since you need to ensure the hole is the proper size.
It is also worth studying the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to find a template drawing that can be used to mark out the location of the hole inside the door. This will help you to determine the location where the opening should be, and also to make sure the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also helpful to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template is placed perfectly against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you must cut the door panel in order to make a space big enough for it. This can be a daunting task, so it's recommended that you get a professional assist you if you do not have the skills or experience. You can also read the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do it properly.
You can consider the height of your cat's or kitten's stomach to guide you. In general put the flap about 10-15 centimeters above the ground. This is the standard height of the belly for cats. This way, your cat can move through the flap with ease and it will also give any other cats or curious neighbours difficult time trying to enter or leave.
Mark the position of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. If your kit has the template put it on top of the door. Utilize the markings 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 installation bristol flap.
You can install your cat flap fitting flap yourself inside a wood or uPVC door If you're comfortable with the Jigsaw. Make sure you don't cut into any of the door mullions or vertical rails. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a circle or square, depending on the design of your cat flap cover for winter flap. Make sure to take your time and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
Once the hole is cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new home. Make sure it is firmly secured. If the flap is fitted with screw caps then push them into the protruding bolts. Once the screws are in place, sand the rough edges of the cut, and then seal any gaps to ensure there aren't any draughts getting into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a standard cat flap, you can encourage your pet to use it by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hands or a stick. Once your cat has become accustomed to walking through the flap it will be in a position to move whenever it wants. This will allow you to let it in and out at any time it wants.
You can fit a cat flap into an UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a wood external door because the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have a consistent thickness. This could have a significant impact on the way you cut out the flap hole and also whether the flap will fit correctly after installation.
The mounting kit might include a template that shows you where to drill holes. If the kit does not come with a template, you can make one on 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 you need in your door.
Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. If you have a round flap, make sure that the hole is located in the correct place on your door. Otherwise, the cat might not be able to use it, and could be outside all day (or at night).
Some cat flaps have locks that allow you to regulate when your cat enters and leaves. This is useful if your pet is afraid of going out in the dark, or coming back in the dark. They can also be useful if you work all day. Certain locks can be used for entry or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is beneficial for older cats or sick cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.