Fitting A Cat Flap

Getting a cat flap fitted into your home could be a major step for any pet owner. No matter if your cat is older and requires additional security, or you have a new kitten that need to be vetted there are plenty of options there for you.

Installing a cat flap could be daunting for non-professionals but with the right instructions, it's not difficult to complete. Preparation, planning and accuracy are the key to success.

Select the Right Door or Windows

There are a myriad of kinds of cat flaps, including some with locks that can be used to keep your pet from leaving or inside, and others that have high tech features like microchip door entry system. It is important to consider the ease of your cat flap insulation to train to use the flap prior to making a buy and install one.

It is best to place the cat flap, depending on the style of your home, in an opening that leads into a garden that is sheltered. This will help your cat feel secure when entering or leaving your home. This will also enable them to return inside in the event of being chased by other animals or human beings who wish to harm them.

You can install an egress flap inside a uPVC door or a glass window, but it's not as straightforward as putting one in wooden doors. This is because uPVC and composite doors come in various thicknesses, which affect how holes are cut and the materials you're fixing them into.

To avoid costly errors It is recommended to consult a professional glazier prior to installing the flap on a door with a glass front. If you're installing the flap to a wooden door you must introduce your cat first to make sure it is familiar with its size and shape.

Find out the size of your cat's belly

You'll need the measurements of your cat to ensure that the cat flap you choose to install is the perfect fit. This will enable you to ensure that your cat flap is placed at the correct height on the door or window, and that it's big enough to allow him to enter and leave easily.

Place your pet on its back and gently move your fingers across their belly. Feel for any fat pads that are squishy which could be visible on their lower back, face or legs. The padding helps protect your pet and allows it to move more freely, particularly when performing feline Acrobatics.

You can also use the weight of your pet to determine how large an opening you need. If your cat weighs up to 5kg, for instance the suggested cat flap size is 14 x 12cm.

Make sure you measure your door or window

Like the name suggests this kind of cat flap is designed to be fixed into an opening and provide a way for your pet to enter or leave at any time it wishes. These flaps are constructed of aluminum or plastic and are located in the middle of the door. They feature a two-way swinging opening that is opened by lightly pushing on either side. There are locking versions of these flaps, which provide added security so your cat won't be able to simply enter the door from the outside.

Cat flaps are also frequently used on windows. They are able to be easily installed, but they have to be set at a high level as cats and dogs have a difficult time to get them. If the window isn't sufficient to accommodate a cat's flap, then you can use steps, ramps or specially designed stairs to aid the animal in getting to it.

A cat flap can be installed to a brick wall, but it is not recommended unless you're experienced in masonry work as it could weaken the wall's structure. It is important to make sure there aren't any cables and pipes in the wall prior to you start. You should always consult a professional if you need to cut a hole in the wall for pipes or cables. It is also recommended to wear safety goggles and a dust protection mask to avoid inhaling any sawdust generated by cutting into the walls of your house.

Select the Right cat flap double glazing Flap

There are many cat flaps available on the market, and come with different features. Some are equipped with security features like magnetic locks or microchip recognition to stop unauthorized entry and prevent your pet from allowing pets or friends into the house. Some seals are weatherproof and insulation to keep out moisture and draughts.

There are also different sizes that are available based on the size and breed of your pet. Cat flaps can be found in rectangular shapes, while others are circular or square. The type of cat flap you pick will depend on the size of the opening and the type of window or door you're fitting it to.

Lastly, think about the mechanism for opening your cat flap will come with. A simple aluminum or plastic swing-out door is a good option and is usually the least expensive. However, it will not prevent other cats or pets from entering and you may let draughts in too.

After you've chosen the right cat flap and measured your door or window, it's time to fit it. Make a mark on the belly of the door with your ruler. Make use of a spirit-level to make sure that the line isn't too low and is straight on the door. Draw a template for the shape of the cat flap using your spirit level as a guide. Then, using your jigsaw, cut out the outline of the door. Once you are happy with the result, sand the edges down and drill through the pencil markings to make holes for screws.

Make the Tools

It's important to have the right tools when performing any DIY project. The most important things you'll require are the cat flap along with a tape measure, a good pencil, a spirit level, a file, drill and an Jigsaw (depending on the window or door type).

Contact the manufacturer prior to making any changes to a door made of composite. This could invalidate the warranty, or cause the weathertight seal to be damaged. In this scenario it's likely that you'll have to replace the glass with a brand new piece of toughened glass.

You'll need to use the jigsaw to cut your cat flap on a wooden or uPVC door. Follow the guidelines that are provided by the manufacturer. If you can, use an outline to help mark out the size of hole you'll have to cut.

After you've made the hole, you should then smooth the edges of the opening to smooth them. This will prevent any rust or water damage from happening in the near future. Finally, you should apply any necessary sealant to the back of the cat flap, and to the holes in the door or window to block the elements of wind and rain. Once the sealant has dried then you can put up your new cat flap!

Install the Flap

fitting a cat flap in a upvc door a flap will allow your cat to go and come whenever it pleases. This is a simple process that most people can complete themselves, although you may require the help of an expert for installing the flap on an unglazed door or any other kind of uPVC door.

Look at the instructions included with the cat flap. You will find a drawing of the template. This will give an idea of the location where the holes will be drilled for the flap on the door. Mark the areas that you'll need to drill with pencil.

After you've marked the area on your door, you can use the jigsaw and cut out the design for the cat flap. It's a relatively easy task however, you'll need to be comfortable with the Jigsaw. If you're worried about doing it yourself, there are a lot of companies that can do this for you at a very low cost.

The next step is to attach the inside of the cat flap installers near me flap to the hole in your door. It may be necessary to seal the flap before you do this to ensure it is weatherproof and watertight. You can then put the outer section of the cat flap fitting near me flap on top of the fixing bolts, and tighten them all together. It is recommended to test the flap using your cat to make sure that it functions properly and that they can get in and out of it.