Need to build a barrier wall in my house; looking for opinions/suggestions/ideas

I have a hi-ranch, and it is very open right now, which we love. Problem is, I have a developmentally delayed 4-year-old, and she climbed over the half wall and fell down to the bottom of the stairs last week. So now I need to build some kind of barrier to prevent her from killing herself in the future. I'm attaching photos of the area. I was thinking of doing a wall that does not go all the way to the ceiling, and putting some cut-outs so I can put some decorative stuff in the "windows" where you will be able to see through to the other side. I'd add up-lighting on top and in the "windows" to try to add more light. What do you think? My other idea was to try to get some kind of metal screen that I could use to make a "wall" that you could still see through.

These are the 2 half-walls that I need to build up in order to protect her:



I'm trying to link pics of what I'm thinking

Ok, I can't figure out how to post pics from Houzz.com, but here is a link to all the photos I have saved to use for inspiration:
Ideas for wall:

Message edited 8/11/2013 12:52:09 AM.

Re: Need to build a barrier wall in my house; looking for opinions.

What about making the gated area a doorway? And the half wall a wall of something that light will filter through?Decorative wrought iron or something? Hope your DD is ok!

Message edited 8/11/2013 12:28:32 AM.

Re: Need to build a barrier wall in my house; looking for opinions.

Posted by Goobster

What about making the gated area a doorway? And the half wall a wall of something that light will filter through?Decorative wrought iron or something? Hope your DD is ok!

Re: Need to build a barrier wall in my house; looking for opinions/suggestions/ideas

1st thing I thought of was some iron railings going to the ceiling.

Glad your DD was OK. That had to be scary.

Need to build a barrier wall in my house; looking for opinions/suggestions/ideas

Is moving the couch away from the wall for the time being an option? That seems simple and I'm sure you thought of it. I assume she's using the couch first to climb on.
Glad she's ok..

Re: Need to build a barrier wall in my house; looking for opinions/suggestions/ideas

Re: Need to build a barrier wall in my house; looking for opinions/suggestions/ideas

I would look into porch/deck railings. They are about 3-4" high, and there are lots of styles. They all let light through, and all deck railings must have slats that are close enough to keep DC's head from getting stuck.
It would be much cheaper than getting custom wrought iron "walls". There are also plexiglass "railings" that are solid pieces of clear plastic, instead of individual slats.




http://www.woodbymail.com/deck_railing.php?pid=80

Message edited 8/11/2013 11:36:04 AM.

Need to build a barrier wall in my house; looking for opinions/suggestions/ideas

That had to be the scariest day of your whole mommyhood!! I am so glad your DD is okay.

I would extend the wall to the ceiling and do raised panels or beadboard around the bottom, but I have a tendency to over renovate.

Re: Need to build a barrier wall in my house; looking for opinions/suggestions/ideas

WHat about rails or something decorative? That would keep the open feel and still provide protection.

Need to build a barrier wall in my house; looking for opinions/suggestions/ideas

I would do something like the spindles on the deck (shown by a pp). That way you keep it open and airy and it offers the protection you need.

Re: Need to build a barrier wall in my house; looking for opinions/suggestions/ideas

I don't have any suggestions, but I'd love to see what you end up doing. We have the same house and I'm terrified of DS going over the railing since he's an active kid and not cautious at all.

We have considered just putting up a regular full wall, but I like the idea of having some way to let light in.

Need to build a barrier wall in my house; looking for opinions/suggestions/ideas

what are you actually doing at the stairs? just leaving the gate? if so, couldn't she hop the gate just as easily as the wall?

the other question is, how long is this problem going to persist? you may not know, but its something to consider. A contractor could build the wall up another 2 feet, either with drywall, or putting something with trim molding. or for that matter mount a fixed window pane that is 18" surrounded by trim molding building up to 2 feet. That would be 5 feet high.

of course none of these will stop her if she's determined to climb, pulling over things to climb on etc.

That had to be terrifying. now I'm worried about my little guy...

Re: Need to build a barrier wall in my house; looking for opinions/suggestions/ideas

We are in a split and have the same exact set up except ours is a railing. Our couch is also agains the railing. We worry about the kids doing the same, so I did pull the couch away, but can't figure out something for this. I think you should do decorative wrought iron in top of that wall.