Fitting a Cat Flap

Installing a cat flap your home is a fantastic option for any pet owner. There are numerous options for you, whether your cat is older and requires additional security or you have kittens that need to be checked.

It can be a bit daunting for non-professionals to install the cat flap, but with right instructions it's easy. The crucial factor is preparation, planning and accuracy.

Choose the Right Door, or Window

There are a wide variety of cat flaps available including some with locks (which can be used to prevent your pet from leaving or coming in) and others with advanced features such as microchips for door entry systems. But, it's important to consider how easy it is for your cat to teach to use the flap prior to making a buy and install one.

Depending on the design of your home It is recommended to place the cat flap near an opening or window with cat flap that opens out into an area that is protected from the garden so your cat will feel secure leaving and entering the home. This will also allow them to go back inside if they are pursued by a pet or human beings who wish to harm them.

You can put a cat flap in a uPVC door or glass window, but it's not as easy as fitting one into the door made of wood. This is because uPVC or composite doors are available in a variety of thicknesses. This can impact the how holes are cut and the type of door you can fix to.

To avoid costly errors It is recommended to consult a professional glazier prior to installing the flap on a glass-fronted doors. If you're installing the flap onto an existing wooden door, you should introduce your cat to it at first to ensure that it becomes familiar with its size and shape.

Measure Your Cat's Belly

You'll need the measurements of your cat to make sure that the cat flap you put in is a good fit. This will ensure that the flap is the right height on your door or window, and that it's large enough to allow them to enter and exit with ease.

Place your pet on its back and gently move your fingers over their belly. Look for any fat pads that are squishy - these might be visible around their lower back, face or limbs. The extra padding shields 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 the size of an opening you require. If your cat weighs up to 5Kg, for example, the suggested cat flap opening size is 14x12cm.

Take a measurement of your door or window

The name implies the cat flap is designed to be affixed to an opening and provide the pet with a way to leave or enter at any time it wishes. They are usually made from plastic or aluminium and simply rest in the middle of the door with an open door that opens by pressing lightly on either side. The flaps can be locked that provide additional security so that your cat is not able to enter the door from outside.

Cat flaps (www.longisland.Com) are also frequently used in windows. They can be easily installed, but they have to be placed at a height where cats and dogs find it difficult to get them. If the window is too high to use a cat flap then steps, ramps or purpose built stairs can be used to assist the animal get access to it.

Cat flaps can be incorporated into a brick wall, however it is not recommended unless you're experienced in masonry work as it could weaken the wall's structure. Before you begin, it's important to ensure that the wall is free of cables and pipes. If there are, then a hole needs to be created for them and this is something that you should always seek professional advice on. It is also recommended to wear goggles with a protective lens and a dust-proof mask to avoid inhaling any sawdust that is created by cutting into the walls of your house.

Choose the right cat flap

There are numerous cat flaps on the market and all of them offer different features. Some cat flaps have security features like magnetic locks or microchip recognition that block entry by anyone who isn't authorized. They also stop your pet from letting guests or animals to enter the home. Some have weatherproof seals and insulation to keep out the elements and keep out drafts.

There is also a choice of sizes, based on the size and breed of your pet. Certain cat flaps are rectangular whereas others are square or circular. The kind of cat flap you pick will depend on the size of the opening and the kind of door or window you're fitting cat flap in upvc door panel it to.

Also think about the opening mechanism that your cat flap is likely to have. A simple aluminium or plastic swing-out door is a good alternative and is usually the cheapest. However, it won't stop other pets or cats from gaining access and you could be letting draughts in as well.

It's time to put in your cat flap. Begin by marking the belly's height on the door with your ruler. Make use of a spirit-level to ensure that the line is not too low and is straight on the door. Utilize your spirit level to draw a sketch of the flap for cats. Then, you can use your Jigsaw to cut the outline of the door. Once you are satisfied with the result then sand the edges and drill through the pencil lines to create holes for screws.

Make sure you have the tools ready

It is essential to have the right tools available when undertaking any DIY project. The most important things you'll require are the cat flap itself as well as a tape measure, a decent pencil, a spirit level, a file, drill and a jigsaw (depending on your door or window type).

Consult the manufacturer before making any changes to a composite door. This could invalidate the warranty or cause the weathertight seal to be broken. In this case you'll likely have to install an entirely new pane of toughened glass instead.

You'll need to use a jigsaw to cut out your cat flap from a wooden or uPVC door. Follow the guidelines provided by the manufacture. If you can, use an example to determine the size of the hole you have to cut.

After you've cut the required hole, you'll need to sand the edges of the opening to smooth them. This will prevent any water damage or rust from occurring in the future. You should also seal the holes in your window or door and the back of the flap to keep out wind and rain. After the sealant has dried it is time to install your new cat flap!

Install the Flap

If you want your cat to move around at will, installing a flap can help. Most people can put in the flap themselves. However, if you want to install it on the form of a glass or upvc cat flap door panels type door, you may need a professional.

Begin by reading the instructions included with the flap to locate the template. This will provide you with an idea of where holes for the flap need to be made in the door. Then, mark the areas in which you will need to drill with the pencil.

After you have marked the door on your door, use the jigsaw and cut out the the cat flap. This is a relatively simple job, but you'll need to be comfortable using a Jigsaw. If you are concerned about doing it yourself, there are plenty of companies that can do this for you at a low cost.

Next, you will need to screw the inner part of the flap onto the door's hole. It may be necessary to seal the flap prior to you do this in order to keep it waterproof and weatherproof. You can then place the outer section of the cat flap on the top of the fixing bolts, and tighten them all together. It is recommended to test the flap with your cat to make sure that it is working properly and that they can enter and leave easily through it.