Fitting A Cat Flap
It can be difficult to install a cat flap but with the right instructions, it's not too difficult. Firstly, determine how high you want the cat flap to be (on average or belly height). Note this on your door and then use the included template as a guide when drilling.
If you have a kitten, or a young kitten you can prop the door open a bit and gradually allow it to pass through. Reward it as it passes through.
Measure the Door
A cat flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at the time that is convenient for you. This will keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it is exercising regularly and also be able to go back inside when it is trapped outside in bad weather. It can also cut down on the amount of time you have to allow it out or in. It can also keep your home safe by allowing you to know when it has gone out.
It is crucial to ensure that the cat flap is set up correctly in order to prevent your pet from being forced 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 entrance to your home to ensure that the flap is at the correct height. You can adjust the height of your flap if your cat is smaller or taller than average.
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 guideline, you can use an jigsaw to cut the shape of the flap inside the door. After you've cut the area out, sand down the edges to create smooth surfaces. Drill any necessary holes.
The process of fitting the cat flap isn't as complicated as you think and it should not take more than two hours for the entire job from start to the end. The process is slightly more challenging if you need to install it in the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is due to the fact that these doors come in a variety of thicknesses, which can affect the way that holes are cut. We always recommend that you call an expert when this is your first time working with glass.
Measure Your Cat
You will not have to spend hours of listening to the cat's meows to be allowed in or out. This is particularly helpful if your cat is trapped in the house during all seasons while you work.
If you're planning to put a cat flap in your door it is important to take measurements of your cat prior to attempting the task. It might seem like a straightforward task, but it's important to get the measurements right. Otherwise, your pet may find it difficult to use.
First, make sure your cat is calm prior to taking measurements. You'll need to put your cat in a position in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved 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 get an exact measurement.
Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide where to put the flap. A good tip is to position the flap in the middle of your cat flap in upvc door panel's belly as this will help them to pass through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap making lots of noise when it swings open and closed.
You should take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While timber doors with cat flap are of the same thickness, uPVC and composite doors can be very different in their overall construction and can make fitting the cat flap more difficult since you have to ensure that the hole you cut is the right size for your pet.
You can also use the template drawing included in the instructions to mark the position of the hole on the door. This will help you determine where the opening must be, and also to ensure that the template is properly placed on the door. Using a spirit level to ensure that the template is right against the door will also prove beneficial.
Cut the Flap
You will need to cut an opening in the door to accommodate your cat flap prior to you can attach it. This is a difficult job and it is recommended that you seek the help of a professional cat flap fitting (Going In this article) service for this step should you not have the expertise or knowledge to tackle it yourself. It is also recommended to read the instructions included with the kit to learn how to do this properly.
To do this, you have to measure the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use that as an indicator point. In general you should place the flap around 10-15 centimeters higher than the ground. This is the standard height of the cat's belly. This will allow your cat flap in upvc door cost to move through the flap with ease and make it difficult for other cats or nosy neighbours to enter or exit.
Once you've decided the location where the cat flap needs to be located, mark the position on the door with the help of a pencil. If your kit has a template for paper, place it over the door and use the marks to drill holes in each corner of the template. Then, you should be able to cut out the template shape and replace it with the cat flap.
If you are installing your cat flap on the form of a door made of wood or uPVC, you are able to do this yourself if you are confident enough to use using a jigsaw. Be cautious not to cut through the mullions or rails that run vertically of your door. You can use a jigsaw cut the panel into a square or circle according to the design of your cat flap. Be patient and don't try to force the jigsaw into cutting faster.
After the hole has been cut then carefully insert the flap of cat food into its new location and make sure that it's securely secured. If it features caps for screws, then put these onto the screws that protrude. Once the screws are in place, you can sand any rough edges of the cut, and then apply sealant to any gaps to ensure there are no draughts coming into your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap you can leave it open and encourage your pet to walk through by placing a small amount of cat food in front of the door. You can also push the cat using sticks or your hand. 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 or in without holding the door open for it throughout the day (and potentially in all weathers).
You can install the flap onto a UPVC or glass door but it's not exactly the same as fitting one into a timber external door because the UPVC and glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could have an enormous impact on the way you cut out the flap's hole, and how well the flap fits after installation.
Based on the type of cat flap you pick It may include a mounting kit as well as a template that shows you exactly where to drill the holes for it. If the kit doesn't come with the template you can use a photocopier to create your own. When cutting, it is important to not push the jigsaw to the point that you make a larger hole than necessary in your door.
Some cat flaps are available in circular shapes, which are more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, make sure that the hole is located in the correct place on your door. If not, your cat might not be able to use it, and could be locked outside for the entire day (or night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that allow you to control the time your cat can enter and leave. They can be extremely useful when you're worried about your pet going out at night and coming back in the darkness, or you're at work all day. Certain locks can be used for either entrance or exit, while others can be locked both ways. This is beneficial for sick or elderly cats who don't want to go outside in bad weather.