Thread: A Stair Well Gate

Its a bit hard to come up with a definitive answer without a photo of the stairs and what you are working with. Some general observations would be: Good sized, well glued floating tennons would be quite strong. A shot bolt type latch would support against downward force when gate is closed. If you are concerned about the gate when swinging, another method of reinforcing corners would be to mitre the joint, cut mortices into both faces and insert an L shaped plywood tennon.

Another consideration is -- gates with difficult to use latches are left open.
Given that grandkids are only really at risk for a year or so, you may like to investigate a comercial metal gate.

As to a timber gate
Provided the styles and rails are wide enough, and the joints are absolutely square, a frame with floating tenons will be rigid enough -- look to a frame and panel door for inspiration. And replace the floating panel with vertical slats

Thanks for the replies. The L shaped plywood tenon is not something I had considered. I will dig out the timber which has been stashed away for a couple of years and get to work. We have a small Grand daughter just starting to walk and I have been ordered to get this built.

Hi Mini,
Some more considerations for you
If the gate is to coralle the grand daughter, you probably need more than one. Bottom of the stairs, top of stairs, or assuming bedrooms are upstairs and living down stairs, one to stop her getting out of her room -- would normally go in doorway -- and the number needed to restrict her movements when down stairs -- do you want her to have access to the kitchen? Or should she be confined to a rumpus room?

How will the gate(s) attach to the stairs? Temporary ties -- zip ties -- should minimise damage to existing wood work

The gate itself
If you make the rails 2-3 times the width of the styles you will have a seriously strong gate

Ian, thanks for the thoughts, the top of the stairs is all that is needed as the primary living area is upstairs. All the rooms have doors so we will just close them and she has nowhere else to go. The grsndson was not an issue and was meant to be built for him, did I mention I am slack and never got around to it?

I have found that if you tie a rope around their ankle and just leave enough slack so that.................never mind.
Chris, if you get desperate (i.e. mysteriously find other things to do while you're supposed to be making the gate.) I have a couple of the roll out style child gates you can have.
Sorta like this but a from memory a bit cheaper.