The best baby gate for stairs is one that is safe and durable. When you are choosing the best safety gate, you may want to consider how it will be mounted and what type of opening latch it has. It is important to measure the space for the gate to be sure it will fit properly. Once you find the features you want in a baby gate for stairs, you may also want to compare cost.
All home stairways are different, so you should measure the space where the gate will go before buying a baby gate for stairs. Some gates are not large enough to fit for stairs, but extra parts of the gate can be purchased to make it wide enough. If this is the case, be sure to include the cost of the main gate and the cost of the extra pieces when you are comparing overall cost for safety gates.
After determining how much space you have for your gate, you can choose from two popular types--a pressure-mounted or a hardware-mounted baby gate for stairs. The first type secures to the wall by applying pressure to the ends. Pressure-mounted gates are often recommended for rooms but may not be the best choice for stairs. The idea is that a strong or eager child may be able to knock down this type of baby gate for stairs.
A hardware-mounted baby gate for stairs may be the safest choice. The gate will stay in place using hardware that is screwed into the walls or stair banister. These types of gates do require more assembly and can make holes in the house drywall. They are much harder to push down than a pressure-mounted gate and may be a safer choice when protecting a baby from stairs.
A baby gate for stairs is often left in place all the time. Most safety gates for stairs have a door that opens and closes with an adult-friendly latch. You may want to compare the different latches to be sure that your baby or toddler will not be able to open the latch on his own. Most toddlers do not have the motor skills to open a baby gate latch, but there are a few different styles.
Baby-proof gates are often made from wood or metal. Each of these materials is safe; it is more of a preference on which one to choose. A metal or wooden gate should have vertical slats that are close together. If a baby can put his foot in between the slats, he may be able to climb up the gate.