Gates 101

Your home is filled with countless potential pet hazards, and let’s face it, your pet can also be hazardous to your home. While no gate can ever fully replace supervision, it can help give you the peace of mind you need by keeping your pet away from guests and areas of the home that need to stay pet-free . Pet gates can eliminate access to stairways, busy kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces and other areas of the home.

What pet gate options exist?

While pet gates come in many different shapes, finishes, and sizes, there are two primary types of gates – pressure gates that rely on tension to secure the gate in the opening, and hardware mounted gates that require drilling into surrounding walls. 

A common rule of thumb has been to only use a hardware mounted gate at top of stairs because it’s considered sturdier.  However, Paw Season’s line of pressure gates is approved for use EveryPlace™ around the home, including top-of-stairs when installed with the included hardware kit.

The Paw Seasons Gates are available in both mounting options:

  • Pressure-Mounted: These ready-to-assemble safety gates feature a U-shaped pressure fit powerframe that provides added strength and stability when in position. These models can be lengthened through extensions, which vary in size and quantity depending upon the gate purchased.  (Hardware mount kits are also included for added safety and versatility.) 

 

  • Hardware-Mounted: Must be drilled to the wall, but offer a wide walkthrough space and quick release fittings that allow the gate to be removed and replaced quickly to suit your lifestyle needs.  Hardware mounted gates are versatile and are recommended for use at top-of-stairs.
What should I look for in a pet gate?

Pet gates nowadays come with so many different features it can be hard to distinguish what’s most important to consider when purchasing a gate for your home.  Here are some key things to consider as you evaluate what pet gate best suits your needs:

  • Is the gate durable?  Some pets will want to “challenge” a pet gate more than others.  If it’s a pressure mount gate make sure the gate provides sufficient tension to withstand dogs jumping onto the gate or bumping into them.  Some dogs may attempt to chew on the gate.  Metal gates will be a sturdier alternative than a plastic or wood based gate.  All Paw Seasons pet gates are made of pet-tough steel construction.

 

  • Help, my dog is a climber.  Is there a gate that can help prevent climbing?  Some pets can demonstrate true feats of acrobatics.  Pet owners share horror stories of small dogs scaling a 36” high pet gate to make it the other side of the gate.  Gates with open mesh or accordion patterns provide easy footholds for these climbers.  Look for gates with straight vertical bars that will make it a challenge for even these gravity-defying pets to climb over.

 

  • Will the gate also be safe for my children?  Yes.  All Paw Seasons pet gates are JPMA certified, so they are also safe for use with infants and toddlers. 

 

  • To walk through or step over?  Gates will either require you to step over or enable you to open the gate to walk through.  Step over gates can be used in areas with little to no traffic, but if you expect normal to heavy foot traffic through the opening, it’s important to find a gate with a door or swing-open feature that allows you to walk through.  Step over gates can often result in stubbed toes or even more serious injuries.

 

  • How wide is the walk through area?  Unless you expect to walk through the gate empty-handed at all times, it’s a good idea to look for a gate that has a wide walk through.  When you’re carrying your groceries or a child, the extra couple of inches will go a long way making your life a little easier.  All Paw Seasons gates feature an extra-wide walkthrough area.

 

  • How does it open and close?  On an average day, you can expect to walk through some areas of the home more than 50 times, so it’s important to find a gate that balances ease of use with functionality.  Look for a gate that is easy to open or close with just one hand.  A double-locking mechanism on the handle means it requires more than one motion (e.g., squeeze and push down) to open the gate.  For taller gates, it’s especially important to see if the gate comes with a third locking mechanism to secure the base of the gate.

 

  • How do I properly measure? Measure the width of the opening where the gate will be placed, then round down to the nearest half inch.  If your walls have molding at the base, make sure to measure between the base boards to ensure the gate will fit in between the narrowest part of the opening.  

At this time, you also need to decide what height you will require.  If your pet is large or jumps high, choose a taller gate.  Paw Seasons pet gates range in height from 29” to 36”.

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