Fitting a cat flap can seem intimidating however it's actually quite simple to install with the right instructions. Firstly, determine how high you would like the flap to be (on average the belly height). Mark this point on the door, and use the template provided as a guide to drill.
If you have a young kitten hold the door open very slightly and gradually encourage it to pass through wall cat flap. Reward the kitten as it goes through.
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A cat flap bifold doors flap allows your pet to go in and out of your home at its convenience. This can help keep your cat healthy as it ensures that it gets enough exercise and will also allow it to go back inside if it is trapped outside during bad weather. This will cut down on the time you spend letting your cat out or in and make your home safe by letting you know when it's left.
It is important to make sure that the cat flap is placed correctly in order to prevent your pet from being pushed through or escaping through it by other animals (e.g. dogs). You should measure the height of your pet's belly and the width of the doorway at your home to ensure the flap is at the correct height. You can alter the height of your flap in case your cat is smaller or taller than average.
The next step is to utilize a spirit level mark the center of the door that you will be installing the flap. With the markings as a reference, use the jigsaw and cut the shape of the flap within the door. Once you have cut out the door, sand the edges of the door to create smooth surfaces. You can then drill any fixing holes required.
The process of fitting a cat flap is not as complicated as you think, and it shouldn't take more than two hours for the entire task from start to completion. The process is slightly more complicated if you are required to put it in the case of a uPVC door or a composite one. This is because composite doors come in different thicknesses, which can affect the way the holes are cut. This is the reason we recommend calling a professional to carry out the work, particularly in the event that you've never worked with glass before.
Measure Your Cat
A cat flap will save you from hours of listening to your pet's meow to let it in or out. This is particularly helpful if your cat is trapped inside in all weathers while you are at work.
It is essential to measure your cat's measurements first before attempting to install. It might appear to be a simple task, but it's essential to measure your cat correctly. In the event that you don't, your cat may have difficulty putting it in use.
First, make sure your cat is calm before taking measurements. You will have to hold your cat in a place that they are unable to move. Also, ensure that the measuring tape is straight and not bent against the body. You can take a precise measurement by keeping the measuring tape or ruler flat against the body of the animal from the top to the bottom.
Once you've got the measurement of your cat, it's time to take a look at the door and decide on where you want to place the flap. The best option is to position the flap at the height of your cat's stomach as it will allow them to get through it window with cat flap minimal effort. This will also prevent the flap from making too much noise as it moves back and forth.
You should consider the thickness of the uPVC or composite door too. While all timber doors with cat flap have the same thickness, uPVC or composite doors can differ greatly in their overall structure. This could make the process of the installation of a flap for your cat more difficult as you have to make sure that the hole is the proper size.
You can also use the template included in the instructions to mark the location of the hole in the door. This will allow you to see where the opening needs to be and make sure the template is placed correctly on the door. It is also helpful to employ a spirit-level to ensure that the template is flush against the door.
Cut the Flap
Before you can put in your cat flap you must cut the door panel in order to make a space big enough to accommodate it. This is a difficult job and it is recommended to get help from a professional cat flap fitting (head to the Willysforsale site) service to complete this task in case you don't have the skills or experience to do it yourself. It is also recommended that you consult the instructions that come with the cat flap kit to find out how to do this properly.
To do this you need to determine the height of your cat or kitten's belly. Use this as an indication point. A good guideline is to place the flap of your cat about 10 centimeters off the ground, as this is roughly the average belly height for cats. This will let your cat pass through the flap without difficulty and make it difficult for other cats or naughty neighbors to get in or out.
The position of the cat flap on the door using a pencil. Next, if your kit includes a template for paper, place it over the door and use the marks to drill holes into every corner of the template. You should then be able to cut out the shape of the template and replace it with your cat flap.
You can install your cat flap yourself inside an uPVC or wood door when you're confident using the Jigsaw. Be sure 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 how you'd like it. Be patient and don't make the jigsaw cut faster.
Once the hole is cut and the flap is firmly positioned, carefully place the cat flap into its new home and make sure that it is securely fixed. If the flap has screw caps, push them onto the protruding bolts. Once the screws have been installed, sand the rough edges and apply sealant to any gaps. This will stop draughts from entering your home.
Install the Flap
If you have a basic cat flap, you can open it and encourage your pet to go through by placing a small amount of cat food on the outside of the door. You can also try pushing the cat using sticks or your hand. Once your cat is accustomed to walking through the flap, it will be able to move in and out as it wishes, so you can let it out and in without holding the door open to allow it in all day (and potentially in all weather conditions).
You can fit an animal flap inside the UPVC or glass doors 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 can affect how you cut the hole for the flap, and will also affect whether the flap will fit properly once it's been installed.
The mounting kit might contain a template that outlines where to drill holes. If the kit does not come with a template, you can create one yourself. When cutting, it's crucial to keep the jigsaw from being pushed too to the point that you make a larger hole than you need in your door.
The majority of cat flaps are square or rectangular in shape but there are also some which are circular, and are generally more difficult to install. If you have a circular flap, it's important to make sure the hole is in the proper location on your door as in the event that it's not, the cat can't use it and may be stuck outside all day (or even night).
Certain cat flaps have locks that let you control the time your cat can enter and leave. These can be very useful in the event that you are concerned about your cat going out at night and coming back in due to the darkness, or if you're at work for the entire day. Some locks can be used for access or exit, and others can be locked in both directions. This is helpful for older cats or sick cats who aren't keen to go outside in bad weather.