1-2-3 Baby and Pet Gate Buying Guide

This 1-2-3 guide gives you the following tools to help with your selection:

1. Questions that will help you determine which gate is right for you.
2. What To Watch For when making your gate purchase.
3. "Dos and Don'ts" for purchasing and using a baby or pet gate.

Below are photos that show a few examples of the many different gates.

1. Questions

Where will the gate be used?

• Top of Stairs

 Gate shown is North States Stairway Swing Gate. Top of Stairs

Certain gates are designed for use at the top of stairs. A gate that is intended for the top of stairs should be prominently marked on the carton or in the listing. Be sure that the gate you choose is designed for this use and never use a pressure gate at the top of the stairs.

• Bottom of stairs or between rooms

 North States Extra Wide Gate.

Most gates are designed for openings between rooms and at the bottom of stairways.

How wide is the opening?

• Take measurements in inches for best fit.
• Simply measure the width of the opening from one side of the opening to the other whether it is a solid wall, a doorframe, or a post.

Will the gate be used for baby or pet?

• Many gates can be used for either baby or pet, but you will need to read the description or ask your seller.
• For babies and toddlers be sure that the gate does not have horizontal slats that serve as toe-holds for climbing.
• Clear plastic-sheet gates are great for small pets because they have no slats or holes that the pet can squeeze through.
• Tall and extra-tall gates can be helpful for large dogs or for dogs that jump.

 Cardinal Extra Tall Pet Gate available in Tall and Extra-Tall Gates

What material would you prefer?

• Wood - Fits nicely into many decors.
• Metal - Metal is extra sturdy and durable. Steel may be the best for dogs that chew. Aluminum is lighter weight than steel and slightly higher in cost.
• Plastic - A good value, light-weight, durable.

What other features would you like?

• Automatic close - Automatically closes and locks behind you.

 Auto-Close Gate

• One-hand latch - Good if you are carrying packages or baby.

North States Wood Gates Latch

• Color - Gates come in a variety of colors. You can find plastic gates in white, taupe, gray, or primary colors. Metal gates come in colors such as white, taupe, and black. And, wood gates can be found in a natural wood-color or stained finishes.

What special installation issues do you have?

• Angled openings

Pressure gates need to be installed straight across, so won't work on angled openings. Some gates, like the Cardinal Stairway Special, are designed to work at an angle. Ask your seller to recommend gates that install at an angle.

Cardinal Stairway Special

 

• High baseboards

Look for a gate that can be adjusted separately on the bottom and the top.  The North States Auto-Close Gate is an example of a gate that will adjust separately on the bottom and the top.

• Wood or iron railings

Depending on size and stability of the posts, gates may be hardward-installed directly into the posts. With a hardware clamp (sold separately), you can install on a post without screwing directly into the post. Some hardware clamps are made to work with iron. The North States Industries Super Gate III can be used for wrought iron railings - no extra clamps or hardware needed.

North States Super Gate III

• Extra-Wide openings

Several manufacturers offer extra-wide gates. The entire gate may swing open and closed, or it may have a walk-through section. Metal gates, and gates with the walk-through feature, add to the cost but provide extra support, stability, and convenience. Very wide gates may need additional support such as the T-Bar that works with the Cardinal Extendable Gate.

Cardinal Extendable Gate Extra Wide Gates

Choose a gate for your extra-wide area based on use for children or pets. Also, consider a play-yard such as the North States Superyard XT for a large area.

Superyard XT

2. What to watch for...

• Certification - Be sure that the gate you are purchasing is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, JPMA.  JPMA is a trade association that tests products.
• Recalls - You can search for recalled items at the Consumer Products Safety Commission web site.
• Toe-Holds - The gate you purchace for children should not have horizontal bars or slats that could provide a toe-hold for climbing.
• Distance between slats - Choose gates that have a distance of fewer than 3 inches.
• Distance between bottom of gate and floor - Install your gate no more than 3 inches from the floor to the bottom of the gate.
• Age Appropriate - Be sure that the gate you choose is appropriate for your child's age and size. Check with the seller or with the owner's manual.

3. Gate Dos and Don'ts...

• Do purchase and install gate early, before the crawling stage, so that baby becomes accustomed to it.
• Do avoid the old-style accordian-type gates that pose a choking hazard. The newly designed  and manufactured accordian gates such as the North States Expandable Gate, meet JPMA standards.

North States Expandable Gate -  JPMA Certified

• Don't use a pressure-mounted gate for the top of the stairs.
• Don't climb over baby gates.
• Do follow the manufactuer's instructions for mounting and using the gate.
• Do frequently check hardware where it attaches to the wall or the gate to be sure it hasn't loosened.
• Don't leave child unsupervised or rely on gates to keep child safe.

For information on the 4 main types of baby and pet gates, see the guide: Baby and Pet Gate - Types of Gates.

Baby and Pet - Types of Gates 

Please see all gates shown above in our store, Punkin Products

Thanks!