Tips on Attaching a Baby Gate to a Banister

Tension Gates

• Tension gates are sometimes preferred by parents because no hardware is needed to install the gates. A spring-loaded tension bar stabilizes the gate between the wall and the banister. But tension gates should never be used at the top of a stairwell because they will not hold the weight of your child if he presses against the gate. Use hardware-mounted gates at the top of the stairs and tension gates at the bottom or in the doorways of rooms you do not want your child to leave or enter.

Banister Kits

• Banister installation kits are good alternatives to drilling holes in your banister and help preserve your stairway woodwork while protecting your child. You can get a kit that wraps around a cylindrical banister with a strap or that comes with a bracket assembly for square banisters or between railing supports. For proper safety, mount the latch into the wall opposite the banister.

Size

• To be sure you get the right size banister, measure the area you will be covering before making your purchase. Measure from the wall to the opposite side of your banister for the width of your gate and from the floor to the top of the banister for the height. If you will be getting a banister kit, measure the outer perimeter of your banister as well. Some baby gates come with extensions that will allow the gate to fit between your wall and banister.

Wall Installation

• When installing a baby gate into the wall opposite your banister, you will need to secure the mounting screws. Screwing the mounting screws into a wood wall stud is ideal. If you cannot use a wall stud, use drywall mounts for screws that can secure up to 50 pounds. Drywall mounts will provide the necessary stability for your stairway baby gate when a wall stud isn't available.