How can I secure my baby gate without using screws on our new floors?
Asked by Manuel Murillo 
2 weeks ago
Last Updated: November 4, 2024
We’re finally getting new floors put in tomorrow, which is long overdue since we moved in. Right now we have a baby gate separating the kitchen and living room, and I definitely want to put it back up once the new floors are in. The only problem is that without it being securely fastened in the middle, it wobbles a lot and our kids would easily pull it down. We had it screwed into the current floors, but I definitely don’t want to do that to the new ones. Any suggestions for a different way to keep it stable?
Conceal the electric fence under the new flooring! So the children receive new “necklaces”! 😁
You know what, I would definitely suggest this if I knew them personally 😂
I didn’t doubt it. I just had a feeling it would be effective! I’m sure they will quickly learn the consequences of that initial beep. 🤣 And my sense of humor is quite twisted.
Mine would have already been brainstorming ways to deceive their siblings into crossing it!
Mine will calculate the exact number of seconds before experiencing a shock, and then proceed to mess up as much stuff on the other side as they can before getting zapped!
My twins, Alex and Kotara, used to toss each other to get to the other side – it was hilarious! But we had to take action after catching one of them using the other as a footstool to climb over the gate. So, we installed a 4ft tall plywood barrier next to the electric fence to prevent any more shenanigans like that! 😂🤣
I have no idea! Gates have never been a feature in my house, except for the ones on the stairs.
If you get felt strips and glue them to the bottom of the gate, the felt will rub against the floor when it moves, preventing scratches. It might still move, but at least it won’t scuff the floor! Have you thought about the purpose of the gate? Maybe consider installing a farmhouse style sliding door with a latch. Alternatively, you could use gorilla glue to secure the moving parts of the gate in place.
Attached a 2×4 with brackets to each wall then place the gate on top of the 2×4. Consider attaching the gate to the 2×4 for added strength. Walls can always be patched up. To protect the floor, you could add felt to the bottom of the 2×4.
In my opinion, I’d opt for a retractable gate. I currently have three and I absolutely love them. They can be completely out of the way when not needed, but serve as a gate when necessary. It only requires a few holes in the wall and nothing on the floor.
Thinks you might not even need a 2×4, maybe a secured 1x would suffice
Use 3M double-sided tape.
Ensure the stairs are blocked off to maintain safety for the kids. Issue resolved.
Make sure to specify where the kids are being kept – whether it’s in the Kitchen or the living room. If they are in the living room, remember to relocate the gate to prevent access to the stairs.
How wide is the gate?
I’ve been using these both indoors and outdoors for years. They have a variety of sizes and colors.
Oh, I was checking these out too! Do you think they are quite sturdy?
Was pleasantly surprised by how durable these are. My 3-year-old and 1-year-old grandkids frequently put them to the test, and I even have one ready for the dogs. We originally had a Dreambaby brand from babiesrus, and the one that stays outside year-round is a Billygate brand.
We installed this for our cat in our new house. It was expensive ($580), but hopefully, it will prevent him from damaging our new furniture when we’re not home 🤷♂️
Fasten the gate directly to a 2×4 on the floor as is. This will increase its lateral stability and prevent it from flexing against the walls. It may not be as easy to move around, but you can still remove it whenever you need to. No damage will be done, and while the wood may not look great (you could stain it to match if you prefer), it’s a temporary solution in the grand scheme of things.
Could you rearrange your bookcase so that its back is against the gate?
If it’s a temporary solution for young children, babies… You can easily repair holes in a doorway. I suggest constructing two sections on each end with 2x4s (you could use 2×2 from top to bottom in the middle as gate pieces), screwed to the doorway with a 36-inch opening. Securing them with 4 screws on each side should prevent movement without attaching them to the floor. I hope that makes sense.
Just what are you attempting to prevent the children from accessing and how old are they? Is this something you’ll require for a few more months? Or years? Are you attempting to keep the children out of the kitchen, living room, or away from the stairs? If it’s the stairs, relocate the gate there. NOW, let’s consider this from a different perspective… I have an open floor plan, with no doors in my kitchen, just two doorways – one from the hallway to the kitchen, and the other from the kitchen to the dining room/living room. We never needed a gate to ensure my children’s safety in the kitchen. Instead, we childproofed the house. We kept everything out of reach of small hands and used childproof latches on accessible cabinets. There were two designs I favored: one with a magnetic latch that required a key to open the cabinet, and the other, the one we used, had a simple spring latch that only opened if pressed down. By the time our children were old enough to understand the latch, they knew not to tamper with cabinet contents. It’s just a suggestion, and would be more aesthetically pleasing than a gate and bars. If you insist on having the gate, I wouldn’t recommend using adhesive, as it could damage the flooring. Anything placed on the floor will cause damage over time. Even felt placed under the gate to prevent scratches will eventually lead to damage. Some have recommended using 2x4s as rails or guides for the gate, but without anchoring the ends towards the middle, they will shift, collect grit, and harm the floor. Instead, consider installing a transition board, like a threshold board along the doorway opening. This sacrificial piece can be easily replaced once the gate is no longer needed. Then, you can fasten the wall down as it currently is. When it’s time to remove the gate, replace the board with an undamaged one. This board should match the floor’s thickness, with the only noticeable difference being that it runs perpendicular to the rest of the floorboards. Personally, I would opt for the latches. Best of luck, I hope this information is helpful. 🙂🙂🙂
Maybe it’s not the most attractive option, but have you thought about getting one that resembles a sideways bridge? It wouldn’t lie flat, making it more difficult to pull down. I recently had to install one, and mine is similar to yours with a smaller opening.
How skilled are you?
I’m not exactly, but my dad is!
Hey , I was wondering who you got to do your floors because we’re looking to get some quotes ourselves!
Has amazing flooring options for any living space
Hey , thanks for the info! Are they from Downriver area?
Hey , I’m currently located in Texas.
Oh hey , I’m actually in Michigan, but thanks!
What if you had one that looked like a sideways bridge? It might not be the prettiest, but it would be harder to pull down since it’s not flat. I had to put one up a few days ago, but mine is similar to yours and the opening is smaller.
How about adding a piece of rubber or foam to the bottom so the gate stays in place and doesn’t scratch the floor if it moves? I have a similar gate between my living room and kitchen, but mine is mounted off the floor on the sides. I use it for my puppy.
I have the same gate! I used this double sided tape that is thick, clear, and sticky. I can’t remember the name, but it definitely held my gate in place without harming my hardwood floors.
You can also try using painter’s tape with glue on top as an alternative to double-sided tape.
I get why the stairs need to be blocked, but wouldn’t it be better to teach the kids not to touch?
Kelly Anne avan Oh my goodness, disciplining a child???
Kelly Anne avan, my worries go beyond just the stairs. I also have dogs.
The fence will be electrified.
You could consider using a play yard with a gate instead. It’s free-standing, so no need for installation. There are metal options available if you’re not a fan of plastic materials.
Check out Toddleroo by North States Superyard Ultimate 6 Panel Play Yard. It’s made in the USA and offers a safe play area both indoors and outdoors. It comes with a carrying strap for easy travel, is freestanding, and provides an 18.5 sq. ft. enclosure (26″ tall, Ivory). You can find it here: https://a.co/d/ffKJLCS
I think a good option would be a 1×2 painted black that goes across the entire distance. You can secure each end with L brackets and attach the gate the same way. Maybe consider adding small felt furniture pads on the bottom to protect your new floors. It should be sturdy, unless your kids start playing hockey and crash into the gate.
Super easy! Just place these on the ground to keep the gate in place. My 2-year-old is really strong and pulls on the gate every day, so these have been a lifesaver. And congrats on the new floors!
Attach it to a 2×6
Thanks for all the suggestions! The gate is really versatile. I have a two-year-old and safety is a top priority for me. Besides the stairs, my main concern is that she can open the front door and wander out. With the gate, I can relax knowing she’s safe inside. It’s a great extra layer of security. Plus, it’s super handy when I need to keep the dogs in certain areas. The gate may stay open sometimes, but it’s there when I need it.
Have you considered adding a latch up high to prevent the baby from opening the door? And are the sides of the gate secured properly? My gate has stoppers on the ends that you can screw on and then place the gate into, which helps make it more stable.
With my second child, I had to add chain locks to the door. We had luggage locks on the fence gates with the comical combo of 321, but it was a vinyl fence, so not very secure for anyone except medium-sized dogs and toddlers. Then my second child dug a hole under the fence in the mulched area next to the house, and I had to surrender. We practiced stairs a lot with both kids since we had tricky stairwells to close off.
When my son was 3, he managed to let himself out of the front door at his dad’s apartment. He wandered around the complex until someone who was out for a run found him. It was a terrifying experience. We decided to add extra security latches up high, out of his reach, similar to the ones they have at hotels. It’s definitely something worth considering, as it’s a simple and affordable measure to take.
To prevent our granddaughter from getting out, we put a hotel-style door lock on the top of the door. Check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/National-Hardware-N335-984-Security-Guards/dp/B001RUEWUQ/ref=asc_df_B001RUEWUQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198055620944&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7599623959802636847&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022938&hvtargid=pla-319575024691&psc=1
Someone on Pinterest created a sturdy pocket door baby gate
Use the bookcase to divide the room and support the gate….put up a door lock out of her reach…there are gates with tension for the stairs….
Quick question – do you know the brand of that big gate?
Had a dream about a baby. I thought I had purchased it from Amazon, but I can’t seem to locate it in my orders.
https://permachildsafety.com/products/71-wide-x-41-tall-retractable-baby-gate-new-2-pack?variant=44453396938966¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj5mpBhDJARIsAOVjBdqJBRmOkle7fTH3SLI_lU-aETwHRvprGjJKrDhX-qg80C9uuWAB1pgaAlaKEALw_wcB
We’ve had great success with these gates. Let me show you how they work with an example.
You should totally consider joining the HandyWomen group and asking there! The women in that group always give better answers and are super helpful. Unfortunately, I never found a good solution for a similar situation!
Thank you so much, !
Is having trouble tagging the group, but found this one! They also offer regional options
Here are the stairs. I’m stumped on how to childproof them, haha.