Baby and Pet Gates
Buying Guide
With a dizzying array of gates on the market, choosing the right gate can be confusing. This Buying Guide can help you make your selection.
Questions
What type of gate is best?
This depends on where and how it will be used.
The list below gives features of different gate types.
Pressure Mount
Pressure rather than screws hold these gates in place.
- Install without tools
- Needs no screw holes in walls or woodwork
- Not for use at the top of stairs.
- Must be removed each time someone goes through the gated opening unless the gate is designed with a walk-through feature such as the Cardinal Walk-Through Pressure Gate and the North States Auto-Close Gate
Installed Pressure Gates
- Some gates, such as the North States Auto-Close Gate and the Cardinal Pressure Gate, combine Velcro or adhesive with pressure. These allow you to install a gate without putting holes into walls or woodwork and to have the walk-through feature.
- Some touch-up of the wall may be needed when Velcro or adhesive is removed. (A little spackle or wood putty, and a touch of stain or paint will usually do the trick.)
- As with all gates, be sure to follow manufacturer instructions regarding whether the gate you choose can be used at the top of the stairs. Screws are added for top-of-stair installation.
Hardware Mount
Screws hold these gates in place.
- Requires permanent hardware to be installed into solid door frame or stud.
- Hardware mounted gates swing open and closed for passing.
- Many, but not all, hardware mounted gates can be used at the top of the stairs. Be sure that the gate you choose for the top of the stairs is designed for this use.
- Needs tools for installation.
Hardware Mount Walk-Through
With hardware mounted walk-through gates, a section of the gate, rather than the entire gate, swings open and closed. These gates have the walk-through feature:
- Plastic - North States Supergate V
- Metal - North States Auto-Close, Cardinal Auto-Lock, Cardinal Dura Gate, Cardinal Stairway Special.
Where will the gate be used?
Top of stairs
Certain gates are designed for use at the top of stairs. A gate that is intended for the top of stairs will be prominently marked. Be sure that the gate you choose is designed for this use and never use a pressure gate at the top of the stairs. (The Auto-Close Gate can be hardware mounted for top-of-stairs.)
Bottom of stairs or between rooms
Most gates fit openings between rooms and at the bottom of stairs. Top-of-stair gates will also work in other locations.
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?
Most of our gates work for baby or pet. The Tall and Extra Tall Pet gates are recommended for pets, not for children.
Tall and extra-tall gates, such as the Cardinal Dura Gate with Top Extensions, can be helpful with large dogs and jumpers.
What material would you prefer?
Wood
Fits nicely in many decors.
- Steel - Our steel gates have extra features like Auto-Close and Walk Through. Also steel may be best for dogs that chew.
- Aluminum - Sturdy but lighter weight than steel. Slightly higher cost.
- Good value
- Light-weight
- Durable
What other features would you like?
- Automatic close - Automatically closes and locks behind you
- One hand latch - Good if you are carrying packages or baby
- Color - Natural wood. Plastic or metal in Black, White, Taupe, Gray
What are your installation issues?
- Angled openings
- Pressure gates need to be installed straight across, so won't work on angled openings
- Some gates like the Cardinal Stairway Special and all the North States Wood Gates, can be installed at an angle
High baseboards
With high baseboards you will need a gate that adjusts separately at the bottom and the top.The North States Auto-Close Gate works in this manner.
Wood or iron railing posts
Depending on size and stability of the posts, gates may be hardware-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 Supergate III can be installed directly onto a wrought iron post.
Extra-wide openings
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, may add to the cost but provide extra convenience and stability. Also, consider a play-yard such as the North States Superyard XT for a large area.
Gate Dos and Don'ts...
- DO avoid the old style accordion-type gates that pose a choking hazard. Punkin Products carries only a newly designed and manufactured accordion gate, the North States Expandable Gate.
- DO frequently check hardware where it attaches to the wall or to the gate to be sure it hasn't loosened
- DO install baby gate early, before the crawling stage, so that baby becomes accustomed to it
- DON'T use a pressure-mounted gate at the top of the stairs
- DON'T climb over baby gates
- DO follow the manufacturer's instructions for mounting and using the gate
- DON'T leave child unsupervised, or rely on gates to keep child safe
