skip to main content
Photos
Photos
Advice
Stories From Houzz
Houzz Discussions
Houzz TV
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore Discussions
Design Dilemma
ssarmstrong214

Ideas for safety to protect kids from open 2nd story loft...

ssarmstrong214
9 years ago
Hi! Our den/playroom is on the 2nd floor and has a large opening that our 2yr old likes to try to peer over! I don't want to dry wall it but need other ideas to create a stylish barrier. Perhaps shutters? Or window panels?
Featured Answer
  • PRO
    Capozzoli Stairworks
    9 years ago
    We had a customer with same problem who had little 2 year old climber at home, so we created ornamental baluster wall for them. Check out the picture. We can come up with different designs that fit the house style and use different materials as perforated metal panels, glass, metal....

    Comments (29)

    • studio10001
      9 years ago
      How about a railing?
    • ssarmstrong214
      Original Author
      9 years ago
      I thought about a railing but our 2 yr old still throws things over it and we have a glass dining table below...
    • User
      9 years ago
      Are you trying to keep the kids from jumping/falling out of the second story or are you just trying to keep them from throwing things?
    • studio10001
      9 years ago
      Both, it sounds like! I hate to see you lose natural light, so will suggest a plexiglass insert.
    • PRO
      SoCal Contractor
      9 years ago
      Think about turning the opening into a window. Therefore the space is more open and keeps the natural light, but the children can't go through.
    • ssarmstrong214
      Original Author
      9 years ago
      Thanks everyone for your ideas!
    • User
      9 years ago
      Window or grille with large beads on it that they can move up and down like an abacus.
    • User
      9 years ago
      A spanking for the child ought to do it.
    • User
      9 years ago
      No substitute for passive safety barriers.
    • PRO
      Kansas City NARI
      9 years ago
      A combination of both these things pictured should work great for your dilemma. That way the room isn't fully blocked but broken up to where they don't have the ability to fall. Hope this helps.
    • PRO
      McNICHOLS CO.
      9 years ago
      You can do a tight weave of wire mesh, both woven or welded in an infill panel. You could also do a perforated metals in a small hole size. There is also some decorative patterns of Wire Mesh at http://www.mcnichols.com/products/wire-mesh/decorative-mesh.
    • gwen1313
      9 years ago
      I have the same issue. We put up a railing with plexiglass. It works well and you still get the natural light.
    • PRO
      Shade-Outdoor Living Solutions
      9 years ago
      Hi, we actually have a product that are security shutters that can be locked in place. They are a really stylish application and they can also be designed to be move aside if you would like the space back. Check our website, www.getshade.com, exterior shutters. Good Luck!
    • User
      9 years ago
      Can you post a link to the product, Shade Outdoor Living?
    • PRO
      Shade-Outdoor Living Solutions
      9 years ago
      @chookchook2, My apologies for my delay! Here is a link to this area on our website :) Scroll to the bottom, where it says "Exterior Shutters" http://www.getshade.com/window-outfitters/
    • User
      9 years ago
      I see. Looks good.
    • PRO
      TRUADDITIONS
      9 years ago
      Something similar to what Capozzoli Metalworks suggested...Wrought iron inside interior window opening. See the window opening behind the coffer.
    • Sheri
      9 years ago
      I like the wrought iron ideas. We have railings upstairs overlooking our foyer and living room. I just gated the steps and didn't allow my young children to play up there unattended.
    • jayabhakta
      7 years ago

      what did you end up doing? I have the same issue and looking for ideas

    • ssarmstrong214
      Original Author
      7 years ago
      Thanks everyone, sorry for delay. We ended up just extending the wall and adding rectangular holes for more light. Which is good because now we have even more little boys and they love to climb!!!
    • PRO
      Capozzoli Stairworks
      7 years ago

      looks great, good idea

    • Mary Anne Joyal
      6 years ago

      Hi, we have a similar problem with loft wall openings that are like medium-sized windows. You can hear someone turn a newspaper page upstairs if someone is reading downstairs! Any ideas on how we can block the sound? The view from the loft is only of the ceiling lights of first-floor great room. We have had glass installers suggest frosted glass for $2000 and up, but they do not guarantee that it will cut down the sound more than a little. Any ideas would be most appreciated, thank you.

    • PRO
      SoCal Contractor
      6 years ago

      clear acrylic or glass panels

    • Judy Mishkin
      6 years ago
      last modified: 6 years ago

      you also need to be concerned about disrupting heating and a/c.

      we have a curved ceiling in our 2nd floor great room, with a loft... and its very much like st paul's 'whispering gallery' in london. anything you say quietly on the first floor can be heard clear as a bell in the 3rd floor loft. we warn our guests....

      so i understand your problem. whoever needs the silence might look into a white noise generator.

    • Mary Anne Joyal
      6 years ago

      Thank you! This seems to be a problem shared by more than a few folks. Appreciate all comments and will look into the idea of glass or acrylic panels. St. Paul's Gallery, yes, very apt.

    • L Gleave
      5 years ago
      last modified: 5 years ago


      Freedom garden fence from lowes. Has options for 1-3 tiers. Used 1.1.5 inch , bracket (L shaped).

      that slid into base of pole, and drilled into wooden ledge with washer and screw and hand held drill. Keeps my 18 month boy off ledge. Very secure. Less than 100 bucks

    • L Gleave
      5 years ago

      Also forgot to say, you drill 8 x 1 inch truss Phillip's self drilling scscrew into pole, to secure the bracket to the


    • Mary Anne Joyal
      5 years ago

      We decided to close the wall up entirely and could not be happier. No great "view" or light is lost and the privacy gained is priceless not to mention gaining an extra wall in the upstairs loft. I know the trend is toward open-to-first-floor-lofts but to me, this is where the whole "open concept" thing has its limit. What may look aesthetically pleasing does not always work well in everyday living.

    Sponsored
    More Discussions
    How to position a TV in this living / dining room?
    0
    Hi, how to plain for the kitchen
    1
    Singapore
    Tailor my experience with cookies

    Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.