Wie wählen Sie das richtige Schutzgitter für Ihr Zuhause

Quick answer

Measure the opening first, then decide: pressure fit for doorways and rooms you may want to open up, screw fit for stairs and permanent barriers. Check the gate's stated width range against your measurement, and add an extension if your opening is wider than the gate covers.

Measure the opening before anything else

Use a metal tape measure and take three readings: top, middle and bottom of the opening. Use the smallest figure, because walls are rarely perfectly parallel. If the smallest reading falls below the gate's minimum width, the gate will not tighten safely; if it exceeds the maximum, you need an extension or a different gate. For stairs, measure the width of the gap between the two surfaces you will press or screw against, and check that the bottom of the gate will sit above the first step rather than resting on it.

Pressure fit vs screw fit: match the gate to the job

Pressure fit gates hold themselves in place by pushing rubber pads against the walls. They are quick to install and leave no screw holes, which suits rented homes and doorways you want to open and close. The trade-off is that they rely on friction and a solid, flat surface, so they are not the right choice at the top of stairs. Screw fit gates are fixed into the wall or banister with brackets. They take longer to install and leave small holes, but they create a permanent, rigid barrier that is the safer option for stairways and for any opening where the gate will be used constantly.

Width, extensions and wide openings

Every gate is sold with a stated width range, and that range is the only thing that matters for fit. A gate that covers 75–82cm will not work in an 85cm opening without an extension. Extensions bolt or clip onto the side of the gate and add a set number of centimetres, so add the extension width to the gate's base range before you compare it with your measurement. For openings wider than about 100cm, check whether the manufacturer offers enough extensions to reach your figure, or whether a wider gate or a playpen-style barrier is the better answer. Never stretch a gate beyond its maximum, and never pack out the pads to make it reach.

Stairs, doorways and awkward spots

At the top of stairs, choose a screw fit gate and fit it to a solid surface, not to a hollow banister panel. At the bottom of stairs, a pressure fit gate can work if the wall surfaces are solid and flat, but you still need to check that the gate's frame does not create a trip hazard on the first step. For doorways, measure the frame and remember that a pressure fit gate needs a flat face on both sides; skirting boards and architraves can stop the pads from sitting flush. If your opening is on a landing or at the top of a short flight, treat it as a stair opening and use screw fit.

Height, bars and the swing direction

A taller gate is harder for a climbing toddler to get over, but it also needs a taller adult to open it comfortably. Check the bar spacing: narrow bars stop small children from squeezing through, and a gate with a full-height frame is harder to climb than one with a low bottom rail. Think about which way the gate opens. A gate that swings into a hallway can block a door or a cupboard; a gate that swings over a staircase needs enough clearance on the landing side. Many gates allow you to set the swing direction during installation, so confirm this before you buy rather than after.

Decision rules for buying a safety gate

• Rule 1: Stairs mean screw fit: If the gate goes at the top of stairs, choose a screw fit gate fixed into a solid surface. Pressure fit gates rely on friction and are not suitable for the top of a staircase. Top of stairs: screw fit only.
• Rule 2: Measure the smallest width: Take three measurements across the opening and use the smallest. Compare that figure with the gate's stated width range, adding any extension width before you decide. If your smallest measurement is outside the range, the gate will not fit safely.
• Rule 3: Flat, solid surfaces for pressure fit: Pressure fit gates need flat, solid surfaces on both sides. Skirting boards, architraves and hollow banister panels can stop the pads from gripping properly. If the surfaces are not flat and solid, choose screw fit or fit a wooden batten.
• Rule 4: Wide openings need extensions or a different barrier: For openings wider than the gate's maximum, add extensions only up to the manufacturer's stated limit. Beyond that, choose a wider gate or a playpen-style barrier. Never stretch a gate past its maximum width.
• Rule 5: Check the swing before you buy: Decide which way the gate needs to open, and confirm the gate can be set to that direction. A gate that swings into a hallway or over a staircase can block access or create a hazard. Match the swing direction to the space before installation day.

Products that solve common safety gate problems

• Fred Safety Furniture Anti-Tip Kit (x1) - Pure White: The Fred Safety Furniture Anti-Tip Kit anchors and stabilises heavy furniture and is strong enough to withstand 65kg of weight. A gate stops a child reaching a room, but it does not stop them pulling on a bookcase or dresser once they are inside. Anchoring heavy furniture is the next step after the gate is fitted.
• Baby Brezza Bottle & Breast Milk Warmer: The Baby Brezza Bottle & Breast Milk Warmer has two warming modes, including a Steady Warm water bath for breastmilk and a separate mode for formula. If you are fitting a gate to keep a toddler out of the kitchen while you prepare bottles, a warmer that shuts off automatically and alerts you when finished saves you from watching it.

Which safety gate setup fits your home?

Best for

• Doorways and room openings where you want a gate you can remove without filling screw holes
• Bottom-of-stairs openings with flat, solid wall surfaces on both sides
• Rented homes where drilling into walls is not permitted

Not for

• The top of stairs, where a screw fit gate is the safer choice
• Openings with skirting boards, architraves or hollow banister panels that stop pressure pads sitting flat
• Openings wider than the gate's maximum width, unless the manufacturer offers extensions that reach your measurement