Fitting a Cat Flap
It might seem daunting to set up a cat flap but with the right instructions, it's not too difficult. First, decide how high you want the flap to be (on average or 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 newborn, gently prop the door slightly open and allow it to walk through. Reward it each time it goes 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 can help with keeping your cat in good health by ensuring that it is exercising as well as being able to come back in if trapped outside in bad weather, especially in winter. This can reduce the time you allow your cat out or in and also make your home safe by notifying you when it has left. However, it is important that the cat flap is properly fitted to stop your pet from escaping through it or be pushed through by any other animals (e.g. dogs). It is crucial to determine the height of your pet's belly and the doorway of your house to ensure that the flap is at the correct height. If your cat is taller or shorter than normal, you can adjust the position of the flap by moving it upwards or downwards by a small amount. Then, use a spirit-level to mark the middle of the door. This is where you will install the flap. Then, using cat flap installers www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk as a guideline, cut out the form of your flap using a jigsaw. After you've cut the space, sand down the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces and drill any fixing holes needed. The process of fitting a cat flap isn't as difficult as you think and it should not take more than two hours for the entire task from start to finish. However, the process can be a little more complicated in the event that you have to put it inside the door of a uPVC or composite door since these doors come with various thicknesses, which affect how the holes are cut and the type of door they are inserted into. We always recommend to contact an expert if this is your first experience working with glass. Measure Your Cat You can avoid hours of ignoring the pet meow to be let in or out. This is particularly helpful when you're at work most of the day and your cat is stuck in the house waiting for you to get home in all weathers. If you're planning to put a cat flap in your door it is important to determine the size of your cat prior to beginning the task. It might seem like a straightforward task, but it's crucial to measure your cat correctly. In the event that you don't, 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 in which they cannot move. Also, make sure that the measuring tape is flat and not curved against their body. Keeping the ruler or measuring tape against their body from the top of their head to the tip of their tail can allow you to get an exact measurement. Once you've determined your cat's measurements then you can look at the door to decide the best place to place the flap. It is advisable to place the flap in the middle of your cat's belly as it will allow them to move through it without too much effort. This will also prevent the flap making a lot of noise as it swings open and shut. You must take into consideration the thickness of the uPVC or composite door, as well. While all timber doors have a similar thickness to them, uPVC or composite doors may differ in their overall design. This makes the process of putting in the flap for your cat more difficult since you must ensure that the hole is the right size. It is also worth studying the instructions that come with the kit to locate a template drawing that can be used to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you to determine where the opening needs to be and also make sure the template is correctly positioned on the door. It is also beneficial to utilize a spirit-level to make sure that the template sits in a straight line against the door. Cut the Flap Before you can install your cat flap, you'll have to cut the door's panel to make it large enough for it. This is a difficult job and it is recommended that you get help from an expert cat flap fitter for this step in case you don't have the expertise or knowledge to tackle it yourself. It is also recommended that you review the directions that come with the cat flap kit to find out how to do it correctly. To do this, you have to take a measurement of the height of your cat or kitten's belly and use this as an indicator point. A good rule of thumb is to place the cat flap about 10-15 centimeters away from the ground since this is roughly the average height of the cat's belly. This way your cat will be able to move through the flap without difficulty and also give the other cats or neighbours who are snooping an issue when trying to leave or enter. The position of the cat flap on the door with a pencil. If your kit includes an outline put it on top of the door. Use the markings on the template to drill holes in each corner. Then, you'll be able to cut the template shape and replace it with the cat flap. If you are installing your cat flap on a door made from wood or uPVC, it is possible to do it yourself if you are comfortable with the jigsaw. Be careful 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 circle depending on the way you'd like it. Be patient and don't force the jigsaw into cutting faster. After the hole has been cut, carefully place the cat flap into its new place of residence. Make sure that it is securely secured. If the flap has screws, push them onto the protruding bolts. After the screws are installed then sand the rough edges and then apply sealant to any gaps. This will block drafts from entering your home. Fit the Flap If you have a basic cat flap, you can leave it open and encourage your pet to go through by putting a little bit of cat food in front of the door. Alternatively you can try pushing the cat through using your hand or a stick. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap it will be capable of walking through the flap at will. This lets you let it in and out whenever it wishes. It is possible to fit an animal flap inside an UPVC or glass door but it's not quite as straightforward as fitting one into a timber exterior door due to the fact that the UPVC doors and some glass doors don't have the same thickness. This could have a significant impact on how you cut the hole for the flap and could affect the way your flap is fitted correctly after it has been put in place. Depending on the type of cat flap you pick, it may include a mounting kit as well as a template that will show precisely where to drill the holes for it. If the kit does not include a template, you are able to make one on your own. When cutting, it is important to not push the jigsaw to the point that you create a larger hole than is necessary in your door. Certain cat flaps come in circular shapes, which are more difficult to put in. 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 will not be able to use the flap and may be stuck outside all day (or even night). Some cat flaps have locks which allow you to manage when your cat comes in and goes. These are very helpful if you're worried about your pet going out at night and coming back in because of the darkness, or if you're working all day. Certain locks can be used to lock entrance or exit, while others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for sick or elderly cats who aren't keen to venture out in cold weather.