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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 31 May 2022 10:58am - Edited by: Grizzlyman
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Hi all- looking for suggestions.
We have a loft that is accessed through a hole in the floor and a steep stairs/ ladder. It rises 9 ft in a 4 ft space.
The hole in the floor is 3x4 and surrounded on 3 sides by railings- however the ladder opening side is not.
3 kids sleeping in loft- 8,5, and 4.
I need to put a gate of some sort on the open side.
What concerns me is if someone accidentally steps back off the loft it’s a straight fall down 9 ft… with some tumbling and bumping on the ladder…
Anyone done something similar with a gate of some sort? Or any other inventive solutions?
One consideration to keep in mind is that if the gate makes it harder to get into the loft that’s a problem as well as it means kids finagling with it on the ladder just to get in….
Sorry no great photos- this is the best I have and are from last year.
Thanks in advance!
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Just
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# Posted: 31 May 2022 11:17am
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If you have the space move spring loaded gate back 3 ft from the edge of the hole, leaving a small landing at the top of the stairs.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 31 May 2022 11:22am
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Ive seen 'latches' that are basically a spring loaded rod that runs top to bottom, at bottom into a hole.
A handle at top and near bottom would allow someone coming up to lift the latch rod as well as someone top-side to do the same.
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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 31 May 2022 11:31am
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Just
Was thinking something spring loaded possibly. Great suggestion.
Any experience with any of them? Suggestions?
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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 31 May 2022 11:32am
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gcrank1
Was thinking that too. Like a baby gate kind of but better? Any experience with or suggestions?
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pabear89
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# Posted: 31 May 2022 11:43am
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Look into using spring loaded hinges, not needing a latch it will keep gate in closed position.
Ease of access coming or going.
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mj1angier
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# Posted: 31 May 2022 11:52am
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Kind of depends on the look you want and how much weight you want it to hold, but you could make ( or have made) it with expanded or woven metal sheet. That would keep air flow but still offer safety net (HA!) for kid size weight. Would need a frame around edges
https://www.decorativewiremesh.com/htar-024-architectural-woven-metal-mesh/
Self closing gate hing might work
https://www.amazon.com/Plum-Fittings-Aluminum-Self-Closing-Hinges/dp/B09DT83D7D/ref=s r_1_21?keywords=Self+Closing+Gate+Hinges&qid=1654012156&sr=8-21
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 31 May 2022 12:18pm
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I have opened a lot latches in my 69yrs, lol, pretty sure Ive used one similar to what I tried to describe. Check pet, farm, utility latches, not just kid type.
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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 31 May 2022 01:41pm
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pabear89
Great idea. Only worry would be weight and what weight the spring loaded hinges can reasonably move.
Im thinking maybe a shorter (not full height) gate maybe 2 ft off the floor? Just to stop someone from falling back? Maybe like a 2’ x 3’ Frame made out of 2x4’s with the same welded wire panel in the middle? If I had to guess that’s probably 5-10 lbs. considering the spring loaded hinges are made for doors that shouldn’t be a problem.
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travellerw
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# Posted: 31 May 2022 02:23pm - Edited by: travellerw
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I would look into a domestic child gate for stairs. We had this one when our kids were little and it was great. I opted to do a more permanent install by driving screws through the pads and into studs. However it was pretty secure even before that but it moved just slightly and scratched the paint so I just screwed it in place.
It would be a quick, easy cheap solution.
GATE
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tichalet
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# Posted: 31 May 2022 10:43pm
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You also might want to do a search of "ladder safety gates" & "self-closing safety gates" that are OSHA & ANSI compliant for commercial/industrial applications to get some construction detail ideas. (The gates themselves would be prohibitively expensive, I'd imagine, not to mention the neon yellow might keep your kids awake  .) In your case the width of the gate might make it hard to find enough swing space in your loft to accommodate it, maybe a double gate would work?
https://www.pssafetyaccess.com/product/edgehalt-ladder-safety-gate/
https://www.fsindustries.com/more_info/ladder_safety_gate/ladder_safety_gate.shtml
^That one^ also shows a stand-off mounting system that allows for an easier transition from ladder to loft floor:
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pabear89
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# Posted: 1 Jun 2022 09:36am
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Using the adjustable load hinge allows rate and load.
thing is they will keep gate closed without need of latching making going in or out easy.
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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 1 Jun 2022 09:56am
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tichalet
Nice find!! That’s exactly what I want in theory. I was looking all over and “safety gate†is definitely the right terminology. I can build that same thing for $30 that looks good.
I also came to the realization that there’s no need even for a spring hinge. I think a patio door spring can do the same thing… and if it’s built in such a way that the spring is inside the frame then it won’t get in anyones way. I’m thinking a very loose spring that will take very little effort is what I’m after.
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zorro
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2022 04:20pm
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Why not use a HATCH on the opening - when nobody is up there, hatch can be open
When anyone is up there, close the hatch to make it safe - it will also add some additional floor/walking space
Looks very similar to my opening and we use a hatch which works perfectly
And if there is a worry of one of the kids opening it, simply put a barrel bolt on the underneath as a safety measure
No need then to worry abut a gate failing or the railing failing, etc
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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 2 Jun 2022 05:07pm
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zorro
Thought about a hatch but I think opening it would be too much for kids to fuss with while on stairs. Yes it would remain open while no one is up there… but kid a goes up, closes hatch and now kid b wants to go up and has to fuss with opening. Not to mention a 4 yr old not opening it all the way and it closing back on him without him falling down.
I’m sure a system could be rigged but I think a self closing gate better serves our purpose. Also already have the railings built. But I agree the extra floor space would be nice.
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Grizzlyman
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# Posted: 5 Jun 2022 10:58pm
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To put a cap on this. I built a 2x4 frame that sandwiches welded wire matching the rest of the railing. I simply used a patio door spring. It’s very loose so it barely takes any force to open and closes gently . Door is sort of heavy but opens easily on hinges and closes slowly. Works great.
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BRADISH
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 11:54am
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Simple but effective - The best kind of solution!
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NorthRick
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# Posted: 8 Jun 2022 05:43pm
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pabear89
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# Posted: 10 Jun 2022 08:27am
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That's just what you needed, slight pressure when entering and no slap in the rear when exiting.
Real KISS tech.
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