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Original poster

Just want a stair gate that fits ffs!!!

18 replies

chilledmama · 26/01/2010 16:47

Moved to a town house which is open plan on the ground and 1st floor...
because of the shape of the stair well i.e. reasonably steep and squared off the only stair gate that works is the bloody rollerblind thingy which costs nearly £100.

Does anyone know of an alternative which will fit between 2 walls with shirting boards????

OP posts:
dinkystinky · 26/01/2010 17:00

Hi Chilledmama - nice to see you! Hope all good with you guys. I've got the rollerblind thing at the bottom of my stairs and a Lindam extendable one (which is fixed into the wall) at the top of my stairs. Rollerblind one is a total pain to work - the Lindam one is great (swings both ways - no bar at the bottom) so definitely recommend that one. You can position it higher up so it doesnt catch on the skirting boards.

MerlinsBeard · 26/01/2010 17:04

I have a lindam one (well it was toys r us own) and it has lasted us years and been used in a variety of different sized spaces. No bar to trip over either which is always a bonus!

EldonAve · 26/01/2010 17:08

cheaper here

Original poster
chilledmama · 29/01/2010 16:54

Hi Dinky...how are things with bubs???

Sadly I can't use a swing gate because there is nowhere for the gate to swing to...what I mean is, there is no wall at bottom for it to rest against so DS and definately DD will hang off it.

Ugghhh...I hate that Lindam gate!!!! We had one in last house and it was never a good gate and I certainly wouldn'y recommend it to anyone unless they had no othre options!!

OP posts:
DrivenToDistraction · 29/01/2010 17:01

I'm not quite understanding, I think. Is the staircase ending in the open plan area? Are there walls either side of the stairs?

Could you maybe post a picture?

Original poster
chilledmama · 29/01/2010 18:44

Hi DoD...like your name!

The stair well is in middle of room and has
5 steps up to small landing then turns to the left for 10 steps then turns again to left for 2 steps. At the bottom, which is my problem, the stairwell has a door immediately to one side and...oh bugger...will try and find a picture now as I can't even describe a staircase!!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
chilledmama · 29/01/2010 18:56

I have uploaded a picture to my gallery thingy...its not a brilliant picture but shows that there is nothing on one side and on other side there is a door and stairwell is not flush with wall that has door on it...the stairs start about 6 inches out from wall.

I would be happy with a gate that you stick in and out each time but can't see one that would fit the space...its just REALLY annoying me!

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 29/01/2010 19:24

can you put the gate one or two stairs up where it'd be between the two walls? I know there's nothing for it to swing back against so just keep it shut

orienteerer · 29/01/2010 19:32

The Ikea ones go to 110cm, you have to screw them to the wall. Have also used one of these at the bottom of open plan stairs.

CarGirl · 29/01/2010 19:46

I know someone who had a box type thing made. It sat over the first 3 of 4 steps so a toddler couldn't get up easily but an adult could just do a big step up???

Hard to explain but amazingly simple, I think their Dad made it out of mdf

DrivenToDistraction · 29/01/2010 20:15

Ah, I see the problem now I think MrsBager is right, put one a step or to up from the bottom and keep it closed. Ideally as far up as the stair gate is wide IYSWIM. That way it wont stick out into the small space at the bottom of the stairs.

I think a simple wall mounted swing gate would be best. Something extens=dable like the Ikea one or a sized one like this. Kiddicare has loads. Pressure fitted ones aren't ever really that stable and might fall out if someone fell down from the top of the stairs.

That sounds intriguing cargirl! I can see how it would work.

CarGirl · 29/01/2010 20:21

only other thing is to do the babydan type thing

DrivenToDistraction · 29/01/2010 20:23

Nah, that wouldn't work CarGirl, have you seen the photo on the OPs profile? I fear you wouldn't be able to get past the babydan...

CarGirl · 29/01/2010 20:33

I did think it would be a struggle and have to have it at some wierd angle.....

My box thing would be good and from memory they had a similar lay out in that one way was the kitchen doorway and the otherside was open plan into the lounge IYSWIM

orienteerer · 29/01/2010 20:55

CarGirl - I linked the fire guard but we actually bought the Babydan play pen and used that (we had no choice as that was only thing available at the time). It worked really well as we had open plan stairs and also a desk with PC was near the bottom of the stairs. We opened up the play pen, attached one end to the bottom of stairs (upright of handrail, not easy to explain) and enclosed the desk as well. It was a stroke of genius as it stopped little fingers being able to explore PC cables and provided me with a pen to sit in whilst at desk that DS couldn't get to. Imagine desk & bottom of stairs in a playpen and you'll get the idea.

orienteerer · 29/01/2010 20:56

Ops, meant to address that to chilledmama. The babydan has an integral gate by the way.

Original poster
chilledmama · 29/01/2010 23:46

thankyou all...definately food for thought!!

OP posts:
chelseamorning · 08/02/2010 11:16

We have a Mothercare one which is mounted between the wall and the ballistrade. Works well and is easy to temporarily remove if you need to.

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