Cat flap in double glazing

Spadez

Hi.

My girlfriend is dead set on owning a cat but we live in a weird house setup where the bedroom is on the downstairs and some of the windows open onto the neighbours garden who aren't big cat lovers.

The only sensible option I have for putting in a cat flap is the downstairs bathroom window. Here are some pictures:




I could screw a little platform on the outside window to allow the cat to get in, and put a cat flap into the glass window. I'm being quoted around £160 for a local company to do the work, but I saw a similar thread on reddit where people said it wasn't possible.

Is this possible and is it putting the security of my house at risk (since it's very visible from the road). I would really appreciate some input from those that have an understanding of window glazing.

Thank you,

James

iammumtoone

You don't have to have a cat flap to own a cat.

I have owned cats for years and never had a flap, or window access. Its a bit more inconvenient on one hand you have to let them in and out and leave a litter tray out for emergencys, but on the flip side I know people with flaps who have all sorts of wildlife (via cat) and other cats getting in.

Spadez

I appreciate the reply. Each to their own, and it's a fair comment, but I would rather let the cat out if I can, there are plenty of trees to explore around here. I would be looking to get an RFID flap so only my cat can get in.

Hoploz

Why is the bathroom window the only option? A cat flap can be put into a door or even through a wall. Is this really the best choice?

P.s. one of my cats brings small furry things in almost every day. Not always dead. I've taken to locking the flap shut when I'm out so she can't bring anything in, after I spent an hour and a half chasing a vole round the kitchen when I got home a couple of weeks ago. You could say its a bit pointless having it ... Ho hum.

Spadez

The bedroom window opens out onto the neighbours garden and they are not cat lovers and have a small child, so they aren't keen. The other rooms are on the first floor. It's a flat as part of a communal building so I can't put it in the communal door and I don't want to go to the effort of putting one in the wall because it is an old building and a lot of hassle.

Hoploz

Hm I see yes it's a bit tricky then. Why not see how you get on without a flap for a while before you take the plunge? You can just open the window a bit when you're in so it's only a problem when you're out. In which case cat can stay in while it's young or stay out when it's bigger.

phil24_7

The cat will go into your neighbours garden regardless of where you put the cat flap!

ManuelG

If it's a flat, does your lease permit pets?

If the neighbour isn't keen and it doesn't, you could be in trouble.

Head_The_Ball

Spadez wrote: »

Hi.

My girlfriend is dead set on owning a cat but we live in a weird house setup where the bedroom is on the downstairs and some of the windows open onto the neighbours garden who aren't big cat lovers.

How many people read those four words and for a fraction of a second misunderstood the nature of the post? :eek:

Reminds me of a Facebook post a female friend of mine made last week about the birds in her garden.

'I have great tits nesting in the garden.......'

She got some interesting comments about her opening four words.

Spelunthus

We have a catflap through a double glazing panel (in a conservatory). It was done at the time of installation of the conservatory, and a special sheet of double glazing was made, with an aperture to take a standard sized catflap. Not a cheap solution, but it works. I guess you may need a new glass panel in the bathroom window with similar aperture. Just cutting a hole in double glazing will not work as you will bust the sealed unit.

Money Savers would just leave the window open for the cat..........

peachyprice

Is that window double glazed? It doesn't look it, just looks like single glazed sash to me.

If it is single glazed you could remove the bottom pane and replace with wood with an aperture for the cat flap.