Fitting a Cat Flap

Fitting a Cat Flap

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Installing a cat flap in your home is an excellent step for any pet owner. No matter if your cat is older and requires additional security, or you have new kittens that require a thorough screening there are plenty of options there to choose from.

Installing a cat flap can be daunting for non-professionals but with the right instructions, it's not difficult to complete. Planning, preparation and precision are the keys.

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 entering) and others with advanced features such as microchips for door entry systems. It is important to consider how it is easy to train your cat to use the flap, before you buy and install one.

Depending on the design of your home, it's usually best to put the cat flap in the form of a door or window that opens out into an area that is protected from the garden so your cat will feel secure leaving and entering the home. If possible it will also provide them a way back should they get chased by a cat or by a human intent to harm them.

You can put the cat flap on the form of a uPVC door or glass window however it's not as easy as fitting one into wooden doors. This is due to the fact that uPVC and composite doors are available in various thicknesses, which can affect the way holes are cut and the material you're fixing it to.

To avoid costly mistakes It is recommended that you consult an expert glazier prior to installing the flap on a door with a glass front. If you're fitting the flap to a 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 ensure that the cat flap you choose to install is a good fit. This will help you ensure that the flap is at the correct height on your window or door and that it's wide enough for them to enter and exit with ease.

To do this, place your pet on their back and gently rub your fingers along their belly. Look for squishy fat pad around the lower back, face or limbs. The extra padding offers your pet safety and allows them to move more easily, particularly when performing the acrobatics cats are famous for.

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

Take a measurement of your window or door

This type of cat flap, as the name suggests, is designed to be installed into a door. It lets your pet enter and exit at its convenience. These flaps are constructed of aluminum or plastic and are placed in the middle of the door. They have a two-way swinging opening that is opened by gently pushing on either side. There are locks on some of these flaps that offer extra security, so your cat can't simply enter the door from the outside.

A window is another common location for a cat's flap and these are easy enough to put in, but they often need to be set up high as it is difficult for dogs and cats to access them. If the window is too high to use a cat flap then ramps, steps, or specially built stairs can be utilized to aid the animal in accessing it.

It is possible to install a cat flap into a brickwall, but it is not recommended for those who are not experienced in brickwork. This could weaken the structure of the wall. It is important to make sure there aren't any cables and pipes in the wall prior to you start. If there are, then a hole needs to be made for them. This is something that you should always seek website professional advice click here on. It is also recommended to wear safety goggles and a dust protection mask to avoid breathing in any sawdust that is created by cutting through your home's walls.

Choose the right cat flap

There are many different cat flaps check here available and they all have different features. Some come with security options like magnetic locks or microchip recognition to block entry by unauthorized persons and prevent your pet from allowing friends or other animals into the house. Some have weatherproof seals and insulation to keep out the elements and keep out drafts.

There's also a variety of sizes based on the size and breed of your pet. Cat flaps can be found in rectangular shapes, whereas others are square or circular. The type of cat flap you choose will depend on the dimensions of the opening as well as the type of window or door you're fixing it to.

Finally think about the mechanism for opening your cat flap is get more info likely to have. The cheapest option is to use a simple swing-out aluminium or plastic door. It won't stop other pets and cats from entering however, and you could be letting in draughts.

It's time to put in your cat flap. Mark the belly height of the door using a ruler. Use a spirit level to make sure that the line is exactly on the door and not too low. Use your spirit level to draw a template of the flap for cats. Then, using the jigsaw, cut out the outline of the door. Once you're happy with the results sand down the edges and then drill through the pencil marks to create holes for the screws.

Make sure you have the tools ready

It's essential to have the right tools when doing any DIY project. You'll need a cat flap along with an eraser and tape measure, a spirit-level, a drill, and a jigsaw, depending on the type of window or door.

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 become broken. In this instance it's likely that you'll need to replace the glass with a fresh piece of toughened glass.

For wooden or uPVC doors will require cutting out the shape of your cat flap using a jigsaw and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. read more If you can, use an outline to help mark out the dimensions of the hole you need to cut.

After you've cut the required hole, you must smooth the edges of the opening to smooth them. This will stop the possibility of water damage and rust. You should also seal the holes in your door or window and the back of the flap to keep out wind and rain. After the sealant has dried, you can install your new cat-flap!

Install the Flap

If you want your cat to come and go at will, installing flaps can be helpful. Most people can put in the flap themselves. However, if you want to put it in the form of a glass or uPVC type door, you may require a professional.

Take a look at the instructions included with the cat flap. There is an illustration of the template. This will give you an idea of where the holes are to be drilled for the flap on the door. Then, mark the places that you'll need to drill with pencil.

Once you have marked out the door's opening, use a jigsaw to cut out the shape of the cat flap. This is a relatively easy task, but you will need to be comfortable using a jigsaw. Numerous companies will perform this for you at a reasonable price if you are hesitant to tackle it yourself.

The next step is to attach the inside of the flap onto the hole in your door. It might be necessary to seal the flap before you do this, in order to ensure it is weatherproof and watertight. The outer part of your cat flap could be placed on top of the bolts, and then tacked together. It is recommended to test the flap with your cat to make sure that it functions properly and that they are able to move easily through it.