Homebrew baby safety gate






If you are a parent, you know how difficult it is to keep your little one out of trouble. One of those troubles are the stairs. But not to worry... these days, there are a lot of options to close that path using very ugly devices called baby gates. You rather put chicken wire on it and I guarantee it will look better than any of the options that Babies R Us offer. That's why I decided to take matters in my own hands. Using regular 1x2 poplar wood slabs that you can get at the local Home Depot and some nails/screws and a latch from an outside patio door, I was able to fashion a not so hideous device that swings open like a dream due to the fact that the end (opposite to the full size door hinges) is resting on a ball bearing 360 degree caster. I still have to baby proof the latch mechanism, as lab test shows, that small primates can figure it out how to activate the latch... and Isabella at this point (18 months) knows how to pause and play a quicktime movie on a mac.
















44 comments:
Looks nice.
From a 'safety' standpoint however children will tend to climb the horizontal members soon enough making an already dangerous situation worse.
Integrating a clear piece of sheet plastic closing the high side face will create a smooth surface that can't be scaled (at least this they're big enough to pull over the top). It will change the look a bit but you can work around that and will be far safer in the end which is your primary concern.
We are woking on it as we speak. Right know it has a thin layer of plexiglass that is not strong enough by itself but with the framework will do just fine. Clearity is still achieved.
Thanks!
Not good! any baby/toddler can climb the slats. I know your showing it facing the stair side but you just lost half or more of your intended market!
-boot
Hi boot!
See my post above... On the non visible side (opposite to the stairs), it has a thin layer of plexiglass (1/4') clearity is still achieved. The door is not for sale, just my own idea and implementation in my house.
My 2 year old son could easily work out how to undo the latch used in your picutre. Plus he would run regularly into it and hurt his head. Maybe something on the other side of the gate in between some of the tops slats, this would be eaiser to open when coming up the stairs with a little one under your arm.
But it looks lovely! I so hate the off the shelf metal gates.
Regards
Seggy
Hi Seggy!
The latch has a homemade child proof device that make it impossible for a baby to unlatch but it's easy to unlatch coming up the stairs thru a push lever that only has access from the outside. The closing pin attached on the gate is onlu exposed when the door is open... Isabella is scared of the gate/latch thing... but you can never be to careful. Thanks for the comments! JP
that is absolutely brilliant!! you've taken care of all safety concerns and it is gorgeous. why *don't* you market it? bravo!!
Thanks for the kind words hillary08, I was trying to tie the look I like with a device I need. Thanks again!
JP
Your gate is great. Love it.
Stunning piece of work. Shame something like this wasn't around when I needed it (up to 6 months ago!)
I'd like to seee it in the shops someday. Good luck.
D.
Thanks for the kind words.... and the good thing about this gate... is that it's re-usable... not as a gate, but as a top for a very cool table... see my DIY balcony table which uses that top and Prouve-esque legs...
JP
so clever + good looking!
Not everyone uses gates for babies. I use them to contain my dogs so safety issue is not so important to me, but style is, and I am in love with the design.
Thanks for the kind words...
Handpicked: see, that's an untapped niche that I never thought about... pet owners. I'm in the process of developing a same looking gate but expandable... basically the slabs interlock each other without the need of rails since the ride on the gaps created by the other side of the gate. I just have to come with the "reverse-clamp system"... it has to be easy to use and fast to deploy/slide... we'll see.
JP
Hi There - I think this looks great. I use a child gate every day and man I wish I could have bought one of these. I noticed in the photo that there is a wall to the right. How come you didn't have the door slide out of this wall? Then when its open its out of the way. Like a patio door. Just curious.
Cool design.
Beau
Hi Beau! Thanks for the kind words... The gate is not a slider because on the right side, there are some railing (we have some temporary white panels to avoid any accidents. The plan is to replace those vertical railing with steel wire, so is more minimalism with a clear, uninterrupted view.
Can you send a design so we can make our own? Or can we contact you to make one for us? - Justine
Hi Mom!
I can walk you thru the process. Is not that hard. Minimal tools required: Nails, hammer, handsaw and caster from HomeDepot. It will take more measuring and cutting than actually putting it together.
let me know.
joel+maria
Thanks for getting back to me. I actually wanted to post your gate on the blog I write for babygadget.net. Would you be open to providing your design to others? (Might want to charge a small fee.) I think it's the best design I've seen. If not, I'll just review it from a design perspective.
Thanks, Justine
(You can email me at justinehand@hotmail.com)
I know you don't want to read this.. BUT... in case it doesn't work out:
we found the Kiddy Guard retractable babygate... our disapearing design solution!
-two architect parents
hi couple_o_archies....
Will love to see it! ; )
regards,
This gate is awesome! I would love to get directions on how to make this gate. I am going to do two, one for toddler and one for dogs!
I LOVE this gate and I have looked high and low for something just like it. I know you said you aren't selling these, but are you SURE you don't want to? I am not too handy and I would gladly "hire" you to build me a couple! If not, how can I get the plans... Nice work. There isn't nearly enough good design in the child safety realm.
Hi Casey! The gate is not that difficult to make. Home Depot even sells the pre cut 1x2 poplar wood in 4 ft length. It's just a matter of nailing them together and as for space between them, I use one additional slab for even spacing. I decided not to make universal plans for everybody as every condition is different and some decisions need to be taken on the site as you install them... Please let me know if you need anything else... regards, joel+maria
Very nice gate.
I actually would like to make a similar one except for my dog. However, the smallest space between the walls in my kitchen is 70" which is basically 6'. It is hard enough finding a decent looking gate, now try finding one that can cover 6'.
You mentioned developing a similar looking gate but expandable. Any progress or recommendations?
I have a nearly five foot opening and am thinking of trying to build something like this. How did you babyproof the latch?
The latch as a spring loaded pin that avoids the kid to actual operate it. but I guess I was safe a couple months ago. Isabella is few days shy of 2 years and she can figure it out by looking at us doing it. (the latch)
regards,
joel
i love how this looks. however, i'm concerned about the horizontal slats. do you have a photograph you can post with the clear plexi layer? i'd like to see how it looks.
Is this gate for sale? What are the dimensions again? I am looking for a nice wood gate like yours for my dogs actually. I don't want them to go up the stairs to the second floor.
Not for sale... The dimensions will differ from need to need and depending on the opening you are going to be using it....
-joel
Hi, I also love your gate and wish we'd seen the design before we made our own. We went with vertical slats and are quite happy with it, but we are really struggling with the latch. Can you provide more details on the type of latch you are using? Our daughter is 9 months and just starting to explore.
Thanks!
J+M, thanks for posting!!! The lack of attractive gates is so frustrating for so many of us!
We're working on a vertical design similar to yours with painted slats, right now. We also considered using strips of laminated plywood but decided to go with the 1x2s to save time and energy. Also, "select pine" is a little less expensive at our Home Depot and quite a bit smoother.
I'm curious whether you've considered posting pics or links to other people's designs? I'd love to see where people went with the help of your inspirational post!
By the way, why didn't you do a vertical design?
J+M, thanks for posting!!! The lack of attractive gates is so frustrating for so many of us!
We're working on a vertical design similar to yours with painted slats, right now. We also considered using strips of laminated plywood but decided to go with the 1x2s to save time and energy. Also, "select pine" is a little less expensive at our Home Depot and quite a bit smoother.
I'm curious whether you've considered posting pics or links to other people's designs? I'd love to see where people went with the help of your inspirational post!
By the way, why didn't you do a vertical design?
Hi Eve!
Thanks for the kind words...
We went for the horizontal slats because of a design issue. trying to mimic the Nelson bench we have.
I will love to have other's people design photos sent to me, so I can post the different applications and solutions.
Thanks again!
Joel Pirela
I loved the picture of your gate so much, I convinced my husband to build 2 of them. Thanks! They are working great to keep our dog safe and happy, while we are away from home.
Thanks again!
Can you please email me what I need to make design? Or a close pic of the gate. What kind of wood did you use.. redzalez@yahoo.com
Fred
So, my husband and I were just at home depot looking for baby gates for our stairs. I was walking through the lumber section b/c we need some patio work done. We have pretty much the same stair case as you and have had an extremely hard time finding a gate that will work at the top and bottom of our stairs (because of all the uneven measurements). As I was walking down the aisle I noticed a sample fence gate with a latch and showed my husband stating that we could make our own gate using door hinges and a latch. We got home and I googled homemade baby gates and came across your gate - exactly what I was looking for!!! Is there any way you could send a picture of the back of the gate so I can get a better idea how to make it or if you could send me a design??? Thanks for any input!
Hally
Hi Hally!
Please email me at; memi(at)bellsouth(dot)net.
We don't have the gate anymore but I can send you a drawing we did.
joel
I think it is just beautiful. I too have a really modern house and abhor those baby gates but we need some. Since I don't plan on just leaving my child unattended, I am not worried about the points that a few brought up about climbing. It is a baby gate, not a baby sitter...lol
Thanks so much for posting this. you didn't have to, but you did. It is perfect!
lynn Howard
Thank you for the great idea. I also love that you took the time to respond to people on here. We are going to build a similar gate for our house.
This is a beautiful gate, can you give me instructions (or are you selling the plan) We need an over sized one for our front porch. Really great work!
Updated with drawings: Thanks for the comments... joel
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