Important Considerations before measuring:

• A gate cannot hinge directly to drywall. Instead, a decorative wood plank (we provide, view sample) must be anchored into a stud or masonry behind the drywall or plaster. You then hinge to the plank.

• You can also hinge to the post, but click here to make sure your post will work. It needs two flat areas, at least 2" in width, vertically aligned, where the hinges can go.

• In this scenario, you will need to add one plank to your order. Each plank is 3/4" deep. Some stair gates with a full wall on one side, and half wall on the other will require two planks.

• To anchor a plank, a wall stud or brick MUST be located behind the plank's location. Studs almost always exist at the top and bottom of stairs, or at any place where two walls join.

STEPS FOR MEASURING

• 1. Measure width of the gate opening at several points high and low. The gate opening is the distance between the wall and the post. Find the minimum wall to post distance  (WP). This occurs where the post protrudes the most into the gate opening. This is the narrowest part of your gate opening.

• 2. We assume that any baseboard, if present, does not protrude more than 3/4" into the gate opening (excluding any shoe molding). If your baseboard depth exceeds 3/4", then please note this on your order. We discuss baseboard issues with ALL CUSTOMERS that order wall planks, to ensure your gate will clear the baseboard.

• 3. ONE DOOR GATES.  Order a gate one inch less wide than (WP - 3/4 inches times the number of planks) For example, if you have a 36" gate opening, and a single 3/4" plank is required, than your gate width would be 36 - 3/4 - 1 = 34 1/4" gate width. This 1" tolerance ensures that you have room for your hinges and room for the gate to swing.

•    TWO DOOR GATES.  Order a gate 1/4 inch less wide than (WP - 3/4 inches times the number of planks) For example, if you have a 42" gate opening, and a single 3/4" plank is required, than your gate width would be 42 - 3/4 - 1/4 = 41" gate width. We'll build your two-door gate with a 1" gap between doors. So, in this case, each door would be built to 20 inches wide, plus a one inch air gap between doors, plus an additional 1/4" for margin, plus the 3/4" plank. This adds up to 42". When ordering, you would specify a 41" gate width.

• 4. Order a gate height to meet your safety requirements or to be compatible with any surrounding chair rail. Gate height is measured from the bottom of the foot rail  to top of the handrail, in inches.  The sides of the gate are 1" higher than the top of the handrail.

  1. Ensure that the gate side rails lie below any obstacles such as chair rail or pre-existing handrails that may be on the wall.

• 5. Please use our design assistance form if you have unusual newel post concerns or any other obstacles on the floor or wall which may affect the position of the gate or plank.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WALL PLANKS

• Planks are pre-drilled for your convenience. We provide planks that are finished to match your gate, and cut to the correct height to fit between the baseboard (if present) and the top of your gate. Edges are neatly beveled. We provide 3" long wood screws. You may also use lag bolts or masonry screws to anchor your plank.

• Planks are 2 1/2" wide (gates are 2 1/2" deep). The plank depth may be 3/4" or 1" deep, depending on your needs (see Step 2). (Click to view planks).

• You will need one plank when you mount a gate between a wall and post. Two planks (one on each side of the gate) are required for some stair situations where a half wall exists instead of a post.

• You will need to attach the "catch" for your gate to your post. The latch will mount on the end of your gate nearest the post. For a hook-and-eye latch, the hook goes on your gate and the eye goes on the post.

** Baseboard depth is determined by looking at the portion of the baseboard which is 2" or more above the floor ONLY. (That is because the gates have a 2" clearance above the floor). Determine the maximum baseboard depth at points 2" or higher above the floor.

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Copyright 2005. Urban Revivals LLC. May not be reused except with author permission. Gate fabrication processes and ordering processes are PATENT PENDING.