Cat flap in wall or patio door?

[NameChange30]

We need to install a cat flap and we don't want it in the front door, which leaves two options: a tunnel through the wall, or a hole in the patio door (which is double glazed glass). Which option should we go for? In both cases we'll need to pay someone (builder or glazier) and I'm not sure which one will be more expensive. I'm leaning towards the patio door option because I think it will be easier for the cats to get in and out (as opposed to climbing through a tunnel in the wall). Am I right?

FWIW we're getting a SureFlap, not that the type should make a difference - either way we need to make a hole somewhere!

Well our kitten (6 months old) has just started going out. We have fitted a sureflap in the back door and he loves it ! Took him about 30 seconds to learn how to get out but a couple of days before he could get back in without meowing for us to open the door :) Have to say though, when he goes out he does like to have a look out first before he decides to go for it. That said your cat may prefer not to be in a tunnel before he can see if all is well and venturing out, particularly if he is a youngster - so the patio door idea may be best. Reckon it may be cheaper too but not sure, ours is in a wooden door so easy to do our selves.

I'm pretty sure the wall option would be cheaper. The cost of the patio door option depends on the size of the pane of glass. I did it about ten years ago in a huge patio door (photo on my profile) and it cost around £350. If yours is much smaller then there might not be much in it price wise

Maybe have a look at the Sureflap videos and also on Youtube etc. It's as well to know what's involved, especially if you're asking a tradesman to do it. (In my experience, it usually reduces prices by a significant amount if you give at least the appearance of competence!)

We had a similar dilemma and went for the tunnel in the end. It was hundreds of pounds to put it in the patio door but only £60 for the tunnel option to be built. We had to buy 2 cat flaps as well as the £60. The outside one was just a basic cat flap and the inner one was a magnetic one. Can't remember the brand but it could have been sure flap. The cat learned to use it really quickly, even though he has to jump up slightlyto reach the outside flap as there are steps up to the back door.

Thanks for your replies. I got a quote for the patio door option: £200 + VAT. I'll get one or two quotes for the wall option as well.

I do think the patio door would be easier especially as they're kittens and not fully grown yet (nearly 6 months old, which is when the vet said they can go out). But if it's twice as expensive as the wall option they may just have to learn to go in and out of the tunnel!

My very old cat and my little dog both learnt to use a tunnel in the last year. Took a little bribery of treats but after years of not having anything, they took to it like ducks to water so to speak. It cost me two cat flap fronts and a builder to just come and knock out a few bricks and then screw the cat flaps either side. If you look on UTube, you can find how to do it yourself if you or your partner are into DIY.

Go for the patio door one. My skinflint animal neglecting neighbours didn't when they renovated their house to uber swish standards. 8 years on when I hear their now very elderly cats mewing to let in I hate them quite a lot.

We've had an earlier version of this catflap in our kitchen wall for about 6 years (so the cats were 5). It took them a day or 2 to get used to it.

The catflap developed a fault a while back (something electrical we were able to replace) but it did mean that we had to take the inside bit off the wall (which chipped our plaster a bit). It would have been a nightmare to replace the whole unit as the outside was rendered around.

In terms of door vs tunnel, the door option wasn't practical. The tunnel and flap do get dirty (muddy paws and greasy head), so it is probably a bit harder to clean.