The solution is to create a secure, load-bearing anchor point on the open side of the staircase – for example, using an anchored post or a narrow railing – and then choose a child safety gate designed for that location.
A child safety gate is normally designed to be installed between two fixed surfaces. In an open staircase, there may be no wall or railing on one side, in which case an anchor point must be created before installing gate.
It is also important to distinguish between installation at the top and bottom of the stairs. Not all types of gates are suitable for both locations, so the gate’s assembly instructions should guide both your choice and installation.
This article explains how to create a secure fixing point and permanent fall protection alongside an open staircase. Stair gates themselves are not part of Balustradedesign's range.
Why can't you install a standard child safety gate at an open staircase?
A child safety gate requires secure mounting points on both sides of the opening. If there is no wall or railing on one side, a stable mounting point must be created before the gate can be installed.
- What's missing
- In an open-concept layout, the staircase may lack both a wall and a railing on one side. Sometimes there is only an exposed edge of the floor structure where the staircase begins, which does not automatically provide a suitable mounting surface for the gate.
- What's needed
- The gate must be mounted on a stable, load-bearing surface. Therefore, an anchored post, a narrow railing, or another solution that is attached to the load-bearing structure may be required.
What does a stair gate need to withstand?
The gate must be appropriately selected for the location, installed according to the manufacturer's instructions, and designed so that a child cannot easily climb over, under, or through it.
Safety requirements
Check the current standard
Safety gates are subject to requirements covering their construction, strength and testing. Check the applicable standard and markings for the gate you choose. Compliance with a standard or the presence of markings does not replace correct installation for the staircase in question.
Opening direction
Avoid having the gate open out over the stairs
At the top of the stairs, the gate should normally not open out over the stairs. Choose a gate that is intended for this location and always follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the opening direction and installation.
Design
The design should not encourage climbing
Make sure the child cannot climb over, under, or through gate. Horizontal parts in the lower section can serve as footholds and make it easier to climb onto gate.
When is a balustrade the simplest solution for a child safety gate?
If the stairs currently have no balustrade, the same structure can provide a fixing point for the gate during the toddler years and permanent fall protection along the open side.
During early childhood
Provides a secure fixing point for the gate
The gate can be fixed to a stable post rather than a temporary arrangement at the stair opening.
When the gate is removed
Permanently protects the open side of the staircase
The balustrade remains after the child has outgrown the gate and continues to reduce the risk of falls from the open side.
In an open-plan layout
Doesn't have to block the room's lines of sight
Slim vertical spindles or glass can provide fall protection without making the staircase look visually heavy.
What temporary solutions should you avoid when dealing with an open staircase?
Ropes, nets, trellises, and freestanding furniture should not be used as a substitute for a permanently installed gate or a railing. They may appear to provide a barrier but do not offer stable protection when a child pushes, pulls, or climbs against them.
- Rep
- It does not provide a solid barrier and does not prevent a child from crawling under, over, or past the barrier.
- Net
- May give way when a child leans against it and is not a substitute for a gate or a railing that is anchored to the structure.
- Trellis
- A trellis is often designed as a room divider rather than as fall protection. Horizontal members can also give a child footholds for climbing.
- Bookshelf
- A piece of furniture is not a secure anchor point. It can be moved or tip over, and it can also make it harder to see what’s happening near the stairs.
- Freestanding furniture
- Chairs, benches and storage furniture can be moved and may also give a child something to climb on. They should therefore never be used to block the stair opening.
What should you check before fitting a stair gate by an open staircase?
Check the location, gate type, load-bearing substrate, and opening dimensions before you begin installation. This will make it clear which fixing is needed and whether the open side of the staircase also requires a permanent railing.
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Decide where to position the gate
Decide whether to place the gate at the top or bottom of the stairs. The placement affects which type of gate and installation method is appropriate.
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Check what type of gate the location requires
At the top of the stairs, you need to choose a gate that is designed for that location and can be securely installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Identify the load-bearing structure
Check the structure on both sides of the opening. Do not rely solely on what looks sturdy: identify where the gate or any new fixing point can actually be anchored.
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Check the direction of opening
The gate must not be able to swing out over the stairs. Check the hinge position and opening direction before deciding where to place the fixings.
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Measure the opening at several heights
Walls, posts, and floor joist edges are not always parallel. Therefore, measure the opening at several levels and compare the measurements with the gate’s permitted installation dimensions.
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Determine whether the design allows for climbing
Check that the child cannot easily climb over, crawl under or pass through the gate, and that its lower section does not offer obvious footholds for climbing.
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Determine whether a railing should be installed at the same time
If you need to create a secure fixing point on the open side of the stairs, a permanent balustrade can provide both a fixing point for the gate and long-term protection against falls.
In a nutshell
Don't choose the gate first and try to work out the fixings afterwards. Start by checking the staircase's position, dimensions and supporting structure, then select a gate suited to those conditions.
Next step
Does your staircase lack a fixing point for the gate?
If the staircase has no secure fixing point, a balustrade can provide a suitable surface for mounting the gate as well as permanent fall protection along the open side. Explore our staircase balustrades or contact customer service if you have questions before choosing.
What do you need to know about stair gates?
Here are brief answers to common questions about installation, fixing, and how a child safety gate can be combined with a permanent railing.
Can you fit a stair gate without a balustrade?
Yes, but a secure fixing point is needed. Options include a post anchored to the supporting structure or a narrow balustrade against which the gate can be fixed.
Can you fit the gate without drilling?
It depends on the position and gate model. A pressure-fit gate may be an option at the bottom of the stairs if the manufacturer's instructions permit it. At the top, choose a gate specifically suitable for that position and capable of being securely fixed.
Why is a pressure-fit gate unsuitable at the top of the stairs?
A pressure-fit gate is held between two surfaces by pressure and friction. At the top of the stairs, it is particularly important to choose a gate designed for that position, ensure it is securely fixed and follow the manufacturer's fitting instructions.
What safety requirements apply to child safety gates?
Safety gates are subject to requirements covering their construction, strength and testing. Check the applicable standard and markings for the gate you choose, and always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.
How long will the baby gate be needed?
Many models are intended for children up to around 24 months old. Stop using the gate sooner if the child can climb over it, open the latch or loosen the fixings. Always follow the manufacturer's stated age limit.
Can the gate be fixed to plasterboard?
No, not to the plasterboard alone. The fixings need to reach a stud, stair stringer, edge beam or another load-bearing structural element capable of taking the load.
Is a balustrade better than a stair gate?
They serve different purposes. A balustrade provides permanent protection against falls along the open side of the staircase, while a gate temporarily restricts a child's access to the stairs. An open staircase may therefore need both.
