Questions & Answers
Your questions answered - Click on the question to see the answer you need
I have got Sash Windows, can I have Flat Cats?
Yes, lots of Flat Cats are used on sash windows. You can either:
- Cover the whole window measuring the height and width including the static frames top and bottom or
- Just cover the part that opens (i.e. the bottom) using the bottom frame of the window you slide up as the top edge to attach the Flat cat to... hope that makes sense.
The downside with just covering the part which opens (alone) is that obviously you would need to open the window to the same amount each time for the screen to fit (as it is a fixed size). I would normally suggest that we have a chat about these options as its important that you understand the choice you have. Why not email a picture and we will be happy to mark it up with the measurements that you will need to take. Just use the Whatsapp button at the bottom of the page.
I have got bars that hold the window open and attach at the bottom of the window. Can I use Flat Cats?
We cann these "Stay Bars" and they usually attach to a pin at the bottom of the window to hold the opening window in place.
As you can tell, where the window is held with “Stay Bars” the bar, when in place, will cross through where the screen will be. To cope with this, we need to cut out and machine in a “step” in the bottom border of the mesh that will sit over the bar. This means you will be able to open the window and use the “stay bar” and the screen can remain in place.
Obviously, we need to work out where the step should be so, to do this, we need the following measurements:
- The full width of the window including the static frame around the opening (A)
- The full height of the window including the static frame around the opening (D)
- Open the window and put the bar in place. Then measure from the left- and right-hand sides to the point at which the bar crosses the frame where the screen will sit. Your two measurements, should, when added together be the same as the maximum width figure as detailed in answer 1) above.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us and chat things through or use the WhatsAp button at the bottom of the page to start a conversation.
Once we have the size details, we can create an order quote for you with all the correct sizes. We don’t charge extra for this service.
Velux style windows, are these a problem?
It’s not easy unfortunately. Most Velux style windows don’t have a frame themselves so the only way to solve this issue is to mount the Flat Cat screen on the wall around the opening. You can’t attach directly to the wall surface if it is painted with emulsion paint as the fixings will just pull the paint off. (The fixings are strong but the paint is weak). The only way to do what you want, is for you to purchase flat plastic strip and fix to this to the wall. This then creates a frame around the opening for you to attach the adhesive fixings to. This would normally involve screwing the strip to the wall so would involve making some holes. Then, our fixings are attached to the plastic strip and the Flat Cat screen then attaches to them.
You may be able to purchase this sort of flat plastic strip from your local DIY store but, we are aware, that you can purchase the plastic strip required from Soden Plastics Limited Tel 0116 244 8446 website www.sodenplastics.co.uk (Leicester). It does involve some DIY work, but when completed this solution works very well.
If you have any questions regarding this matter or would like to chat anything through, then please do not hesitate to call on 01526 341186 or start a conversation with Whatsapp using the button buttom right on this page.
I have two windows that share the same frame, can I have separate Flat Cats for each window?
Where there are two adjacent windows that you wish to cover, they will clearly both want to share the same frame (or at least part of the frame). In order to make this possible, you should measure each window in question, measuring the full shared frame (so that the screens will overlap). What we will do here, is to add a strip of “hook” fixing to the front of one of the screens so that the screen attaches to the other when the second is laid on top.
If this is something that you would be interested in, you will need to order directly with us via email or telephone. There is no extra charge for this. If you wanted to send us a photo of the window, we can advise where to measure. Just use the Whatsapp button bottom right to start the conversation or of course, you are welcome to email.
I have trickle vents on the static frame at the top of the window, are these a problem?
This is a very good question and there are two solutions:
- If there is some frame available below the vent you can measure UP TO the bottom edge of the vent... I would suggest having at least 1cm of flat frame available below the vent.
- We can adjust the Flat Cat by cutting and machining a "step" in the mesh so that the screen sits around the vent. This would essentially mean measuring to the top of the window and supplying the measurements from the left and right to the vent (as shown on the enclosed image). We would also need the depth from the very top of the frame to the bottom edge of the vent to know how deep to cut (max of 4cm here).
I hope that all makes sense, I would suggest sending us the sizes you require by email or Whatsapp along with the vent sizes as detailed above and I can work what we need to do and how you should measure. There is no extra charge for the adjustment.
I have a trickle vent on the opening window itself
With reference to the vent on the window, when the window is open the vent will, of course, be outside. When you close the window, the mesh is flexible enough to go over the vent. If the vent was too large, you could always loosen the fixings at that point, as after all, the window will be closed anyway.
If you wanted reassurance that your window was fine, please do not hesitate to get in touch by email, Whatsapp (button bottom right) or phone.
My windows have large handles, will these get in the way?
With reference to the handles, when the window is open the handles will, of course, be outside. When you close the window, the mesh is flexible enough to take most handles but even if the handle was too large you could always loosen the fixings around the handle. After all, the window will be closed at this point anyway.
If you wanted reassurance that your window was suitable, please do not hesitate to get in touch by email, Whatsapp (button bottom right) or phone.
I have "Tilt and Turn" windows, can I still use Flat Cats
Unfortunately, Tilt and Turn windows are not compatible with our screens. Sometimes it is possible to fix the screens when the window is in a turn position. We would advise sending us some photos with the window open when it is in the turn position. We would need to see the inside frame around the hinge area and then we will be able to advise whether our screens are going to be suitable for your window. Feel free to use email or Whatsapp to do this (Whatsapp button available bottom right on this page)
My window frames are made of wood (painted or natural) will Flat Cats work?
Our screens will work on wooden frames, we would just advise cleaning and drying the frames thoroughly before attaching the adhesive frames.
Painted frames are fine providing the paint is not emulsion (as the fixings will just pull this type of paint off the frames). Please also check that the paint is not flaking as clearly the fixings, when removed, would pull off any weak paint. Please get in touch if we can be of further help.
I want a screen for a door. Do you supply door screens with Zips?
Yes indeed we do, please see all the details and video on our Door Screen page.
I have inward opening doors, will Flat Cats work?
You can put on the inside of the frame but you would need the following:
- The hinges on both sides, in the reveal, when the door is open should still leave at least 2cm of flat area on the frame to add the fixings to
- The width required must be no more than 168cm (we can do any height)
- There must be a flat area on the frame on all 4 sides of at least 2cm width, where you can attach the fixings, this includes the bottom of the door.
- Obviously, although the fixings will stay in place the Flat Cat must come off each time you open or close the door... not ideal but it only takes a few seconds to remove so this may worth doing.
Hope this makes sense, a little more work to use each time but the hinges are the key. Feel free to send a photo of the door and especially the hinge area if you would like us to have a look at it and make sure the door is suitable.
I have inward opening doors, can I attach Flat Cats to the outside frame?
Outside is not ideal as the screen is open to the elements and does not offer the strength of fit as opposed to inside fitting. As you can guess we have been asked this a great deal. The reason is because you have to be on the side the screen is fitted to secure it properly.
You can put on the inside of the frame but you would need the following (see previous question regarding this matter)
Many people have fitted Flat Cats to the outside and they have been a success. We are promoting this as a solution we can recommend based on the points raised previously but, as I said, it has worked for many people. Feel free to give us a call and chat things through or send us some photos by Whatsapp and we can assess if your door / window is suitable. Obviously, only doors and windows on the ground floor will be suitable as access to the outside is required to fit.
I have Bifold Doors, can I get a door screen to cover these?
It really dependdson the size required. Some bifold doors suit our screen, others do not so it really is down to the individual doors concerned. I would suggest opening a discussion with us on Whatsapp (button below) and enclose some photos so we can assess your doors. Do bear in mind that the widest screen available, with a centre zip would be 330cm and if the zip was anywhere other than the centre this width would be reduced.
I have sliding patio dors, can I use a Flat Cat?
Yes, we do make Flat Cats for sliding doors, they work in exactly the same way as our door screens, so can be purchased with or without a zip.
- The maximum width is 168cm (single screen) up to 330cm (centre zip) (due to the roll size we use)
- For a sliding door, you will likely use the static frame of the non-sliding panel to attach the fixings to, again make sure that the width required does not exceed 168cm.
- Make sure that the sliding part of the door slides to the outside of the static pane, otherwise you may struggle finding a frame to attach the screen to.
- There must be a Flat area on the static frame of at least 2cm wide on all 4 sides (including at the bottom of the door) for the fixings to attach to.
Feel free to send us some images by Whatsapp or email if you are unsure and we will be delighted to advise.
Do you have any other alternatives to a Zip in a door screen?
Yes, we can substitute the zip with a hook and loop joint that provides a very strong seal. Advantages are that it is a lower copst option to a zip and works very well in all situations. Please contact us by Whatsapp if you would like some example pictures
I dont have a frame at the bottom of my door, can I still have a Flat Cat door screen?
If you have no frame at the bottom of your door then there is no way of attaching the fixings at the bottom, therefore we need to find another way of securing the screen at the bottom.
Lets assume you have hard flooring of some sort running up to the door, Tiles, Vinyl or wood etc. If this is the case then we can increase the height of your required screen by 6cm, this would give you the ability to turn the 5cm border on the screen, at the bottom of the door, towards you at 90 degrees and then attach down onto the. The way this works is that you will need an extra 5cm for the border and 1cm for the turn itself. So, after doing this you have created a place for the screen to secure at the bottom.
Obviously, this only works if you have hard floor and you will need to imnitially measure all the way to the floor and THEN add the 6cm to the height.
Hopefully this all makes sense but if you wanted us to confirm with you or advise on your particular situation then please do not hesitate to send us a Whatsapp with photos (button below right) or alternatively by email to info@flatcats.co.uk.
How strong are Flat Cats?
This is an very interesting point and a common question.... I will try and clarify.
As far as strength on the window is concerned, if the screen was on your window now and YOU gripped both sides and pulled straight down as hard as you could then you will not be able to pull it off the window. Now of course you don't have claws so that's a different matter. If your cat will not leave the Flat Cat alone and insists on clawing at it, then yes of course eventually he/she will get through it. So, what can we offer?
In 99.9% of cases cats get bored of the screens after a couple of days and we always tell owners to try and keep them off the screens until they have got bored, after this you will be fine, and they will just ignore the screens.
If by chance you have the 0.01% of cats who will not leave it alone, irrespective of which screen you have from us, just send it back within 30 days in whatever state it is in and we will give you a 100% refund as we don't want you to have the product unless you can use it and we don't, of course, carry out a psychological assessment on your cat before selling you one :).
If you want to add a layer of security and are concerned with you cat scratching at the screens, then some Citronella spray (one that is cat safe) may help keep them off for at least a while until they get used to it. Hopefully, that puts you at your ease. Feel free to call or whatsapp us if you need any clarification or clarification.
How do I remove the fixings from the window frames?
The fixings are removable... If you have UPVC windows then once you remove the fixings you may find that a sticky residue is left behind, this is best removed with some white spirit on a rag and the frames will be good as new.
Sometimes, if the residue is lumpy its best to press the old fixings back on and then peel away slowly and straight down as this will bring a lot of the gummy residue away with it easier than scraping. A plastic scraper can help also or of the glue has solidified just chip it away and use white spirit to remove any left.
If the sticky residue had hardened then a plastic scraper can chip the bulk away and then, again, use the white spirit to remove any residue.
If you have painted frames, then again, they may be fine but if the paint is weak then it is possible that some paint may be lifted when the fixings are removed.
In a case where it is very stubborn we would use one of the following product……
"Just the Tonic" by Autobrite (available on Amazon) combined with a plastic scraper is absolute dynamite.
"Goo Gone" - Again available on Amazon
Can I wash my Flat Cats?
We would NOT recommend washing your flat cats with anything other than a sponge and a tiny amount of washing up liquid and warm water. If you put the screens in the washing machine then yes they will come up werll butthe pvc coating will get damaged and you will find that a lot of the strength has gone so, we dont recommend this.
We usually find that a brush with a soft brush will clear most debris from the screen. Grey screens will look better for longer as the white screens will discolour somewhat with air polution.
How do I fit my Flat Cats?
No problem at all, we have a fitting guide which is sent out with every order but suffice to say it is very easy and we have yet to have a customer unable to fit the screens (since 2008). If you need the guide then you can download the pdf copy here.
Which colour should I have? (Grey or White)
Colour choice is obviously down to the individual but in short the advantages and disadvantages are as follows:
- There is absolutely no difference in the amount of light that comes through the screen
- The Grey screens give a slightly clearer view through when compared to the white as your eyes see the white strands more than they see the grey strands.
- White screens will discolour slightly over time due to air polution whereas they grey will look the same (although they will still get slightly grubby)
- You will see the grey border on white frames (Grey mesh screens) but if my experience you get used to it over time.
- We dont advise washing the screens so the Grey mesh looks better in ther long term, but the white looks very nice when new and merges well against white frames.
Overall there are pros and cons for both colours. A larger number of customers purchase White however I (Dominic) always prefer Grey. The choice is really down to personal preference, both do the job as well as each other.
Example images below, larger images open in new window
I have less than 2cm of flat area on my window frames, can I still use Flat Cats?
As you will know, we do ask that you have 2cm of flat area on your frames to use a Flat Cat. This is because the fixings we supply are 2cm wide. However, if you come up a little short you may still be able to use Flat Cats. The fixings for the window frame are, as stated, 2cm wide... however, if you were sat looking at the fixing tape you would see that on each edge of the tape, within the 2cm overall width, there is a 2-3mm "lead in" strip on both sides which is blank / bald. This means that if you trim this off carefully on BOTH sides with a pair of scissors, that you fixings will be down to around 1.5cm with no loss of grip. Therefore, should you have slightly under 2cm, say down to 1.5cm, with a little adjustment to the fixing tape, you should be fine. If you are in any doubt please do not hesitate to contact us as we can give you more clarity on this matter which is one of the most common questions we are asked.
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If you have any questions that are not answered here please get in touch by Whatsapp (button bottom right on this page), Telephone 01526 341186 or by email at info@flatcats.co.uk and we will do everything we can to help you.