How To Make a Baby Safety Gate
Baby safety gates can be found at any store that sells baby products. The problem with most baby gates on the market is that they have no style or design. There are ways to achieve a style and design that is pleasing, while still keeping the baby safe.
Baby safety gates are either plastic or wood and are fairly standard. They are usually not available in custom designs or color pallets and to some parents, they are an eyesore, waiting for the day they can be removed. There are do-it-yourself options to create a baby gate that is not an eyesore, while keeping the baby safe from stairs and dangerous areas. One do it yourself baby safety gate project uses standard wooden fencing to give a special touch to any room.
Things you will need to make a baby safety gate:
- Wood fencing panels
- Measuring tape
- Carpentry Pencil
- Two 2x4 stabilizing beams
- Two gate hinge kits
- Wood glue
- Nails
- Nail gun
- Latch kit
Step 1- Measure the area for the baby gate. You will want the measurement of the width and the height.
Step 2- Mark the areas for the latch and the hinges. Hinge kits and the latch kit will come with all the hardware necessary to install the hinges and latches.
Step 3- Purchase wood fencing panels and 2x4 stabilizers. Most home improvement stores will cut the wood fencing panels to fit your needs, if the size is not currently available. This will save time and does not have an additional fee, at most stores.
Step 4- Prepare the work area. You will need a large, flat and clean work area for this project. A clean garage floor or outdoor patio will work well.
Step 5- Lay the fencing panels down and side by side to form the gate. For added stability, you may want to use the wood glue between the panels.
Step 6- Place the 2x4 stabilizers an equal distance from the top and bottom of the fence. Attach the stabilizers to the fencing panels with the wood glue. Allow the glue drying time. Then, flip the gate over with the stabilizers facing the floor or patio.
Step 7- Secure the wood fence panels to the stabilizers with the nail gun. You should use two nails for each panel and stabilizer, giving a total of four nails for each panel.
Step 8- Attach the hinge pieces to the gate. The hinge kit will have all of the hardware you will need for this step.
Step 9- Attach the latch to the opposite side of the gate. The latch kit will have all of the hardware you need for this step.
Step 9- Move the gate to the designated area. Attach the gate hinges to the wall and complete the latch attachment for the opposite side.
Step 10- Close the gate and ensure that the hinges and the locks work.
You can stain or paint the wood panels to fit your home decor or color scheme. You can also choose plastic fencing, if that suits your home better. Remember to choose panels that are smooth and do not have sharp points. Picket fencing would be a bad option; however, dog ear fencing would be a suitable and safe option. If the wood is rough, have the home improvement store sand down the panels, to remove any splinters or danger areas.