Asked on Mar 01, 2016

Use a window roller shade for a pet gate??

KatAych
by KatAych
Has anyone in Hometalkland tried this?? It seems like it would work - the retractable gates they sell are basically sideways window shades, aren't they?
Looking for a new way to corral the dogs in the kitchen when we don't want them out and about (like during meals!), but would like something retractable and easy. I thought about a pocket door, but don't want to hassle with carving out the space, and there's electrical running in that wall, anyway...
This model sells for $89.99. Seems much more efficient to spend $20 (or less) on a window roller shade and just use that!
  24 answers
  • Taf Taf on Mar 01, 2016
    It does look nicer than the standard pet / baby gates. If you have compliant dogs this might work. My two however would barge right thru.... They have no manners... LOL
    • KatAych KatAych on Mar 01, 2016
      @Taf We have a gate barrier, now, with a walk through entrance, so my hope is that since they are used to having some sort of barrier, this wouldn't be too big of a change for them!
  • Moxie Moxie on Mar 01, 2016
    Clever! I used a window secuirtiy decorative panel, put hinges on on it and a stop with velcro
    • KatAych KatAych on Mar 01, 2016
      @Moxie It's a very wide opening; we do have a wide gate right now, but it's at it's very max spread, and oftentimes comes undone, which is frustrating! We don't need it all the time, so I thought something retractable would work. It would be from our dining room into our kitchen; nowhere to really put a solid gate when it was fully opened...oven in one corner, fridge in the other, china cabinet on the other side, and computer desk opposite from that! I've seen folks who put wrought iron gate pieces at the bottom of their stairs - love that look! That's a spot where it might actually work for me. Thank you for taking the time to reply!!!
  • MN Mom MN Mom on Mar 01, 2016
    As long as they don't crash through it, give it a try
  • Kimberly A Kimberly A on Mar 02, 2016
    That was my same thought. I have had to use reinforced gates for everything from puppies to bunnies. They would have all crashed through or eaten through a roller shade. It is definitely worth a try though and if it doesn't work then you have the other option.
  • Kimberly A Kimberly A on Mar 02, 2016
    Oh all of my openings are over 3 feet and usually closer to 4 or more feet wide as well. Even with the security gates I had to search for and order extra wide and extra tall things. If it works for you, please post and let us all know.
  • MN Mom MN Mom on Mar 02, 2016
    Wondering if the edges are sturdy enough to not sag. Normally they'd just be the flexible sides as a shade but by using it horizontally instead they'd be the flexible top and bottom??
    • DORLIS DORLIS on Mar 02, 2016
      @MN Mom I have caats and they would just climb oer the shade, but being flexible, it would sag and they would not be able to make it over. Good idea!
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Mar 02, 2016
    I wish I had thought of the pocket door idea years ago. But the roller screen is a great idea, but you must have some pretty woosy dogs, mine would take that out in a New York minute. ;)
    • KatAych KatAych on Mar 02, 2016
      @Johnchip Actually, one of our dogs is a husky! But he's used to having a gate across the opening, so my hope is that he won't see this as anything different...and he's (usually) a good boy...we shall see!!!! I'd love to put a pocket door, it just won't work in the walls we have available. :-(
      comment photo
  • Judy Roberts Judy Roberts on Mar 02, 2016
    Sounds good.... I use a fireplace screen to block off a room.
  • Susan Caswell Susan Caswell on Mar 02, 2016
    I think it would work if your dog has been conditioned to not crash the object in front of him. Also re-enforce the edges with duck tape or stick on interfacing maybe. Great idea, though. Thanks. I might try it.
    • See 2 previous
    • KatAych KatAych on Mar 03, 2016
      @Carrie Hawk Ah...where the doggies might put their paws!
  • Bonnie Bonnie on Mar 02, 2016
    Clever idea if you have small dogs or ones who won't jump on it.
  • Anncool77 Anncool77 on Mar 03, 2016
    I'm trying to come up with gate idea for our 3 semi large dogs also. We have a pocket door and if they keep jumping up with enough power, they are able to open it! As far as the roller screen goes (when hung on a window) sometimes after a few uses it gets jammed and doesn't pull down easily. I'm worried about your sideways gate giving you trouble trying to shut it. In the meantime, I'm still trying to come up with an idea for my 3 furry friends :)
    • KatAych KatAych on Mar 03, 2016
      @Anncool77 Right now, we do have a tall, metal gate that has a walkthrough door for the humans to get in and out of...I just don't like the look of it and would like something we could "hide" when we don't need it. But something like that might work for your purposes?? I think I got it at one of those discount sites - probably beyondtherack.com or zulilly.com because we bought 2, which means they must have been cheap/on sale! :-)
  • Jo Jo on Mar 03, 2016
    My daughter found a way to keep her 18mo old out of the kitchen when she was cooking. Don't know if it will work for dogs. Her opening to the kitchen was too wide for a baby gate. She took two tension shower curtain rods and used them in the door way . I have thought that if you take canvas and cut and sew a casing on each side and slip the rods into the casing then put in doorway it would probably keep pets where you want them.
  • 4jh310157 4jh310157 on Mar 03, 2016
    Our two standards just needed a barrier. I repurposed an old window screen. Made a fabric covering for it.
  • KatAych KatAych on Mar 03, 2016
    I supposed I could use any shade that rolls up - maybe even one of those wooden ones? Not sure - I'll have to take a look the next time I'm at Target or Walmart. The opening is about 5 feet wide, and we go in/out of it often. That's why I was hoping to get something retractable - just for aesthetics, really. (And the cats have to be able to get over it as well.) Thank you all for your wonderful ideas!!! If I try the roller shade route, i will definitely post about how it goes. I have a dacschund/pit mix and a husky, plus 3 cats so we'll see!!!
  • Lynn Lynn on Mar 04, 2016
    hmmmmm. trying to figure out how to attach it to the other side......
    • KatAych KatAych on Mar 04, 2016
      @Lynn You mean the part that you pull? I was thinking they came with (or one can be attached) a tab with a hole; I was thinking of just screwing in a hook on the other side of the opening and attaching the tab to it to keep closed.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Mar 05, 2016
    I actually made what is like a wooden 'fireplace screen' with a brass handle on the front and a broader based board on bottom for stability. I pick it up and put it to the side or in place in the door way or foot of the stairs. She (my bouvier) can push it aside if she wants, but doesn't. It is decoratively stained and I made it in a half circle as tall as wide to fit the door space which also fits the stair well. It works, is pretty, convenient and easy to use.
  • Donna Cranmer Aldridge Donna Cranmer Aldridge on Mar 15, 2016
    I have three of these and they are great. Open and close easily.
    comment photo
    • Dali Dali on Apr 18, 2016
      @Donna Cranmer Aldridge Hi! Where did you get those? Thank you
  • Donna Cranmer Aldridge Donna Cranmer Aldridge on Apr 22, 2016
    I believe you can get them at Target. I've had mine for years and honestly don't remember but pretty sure I've seen them recently at Target.
  • Mikki Mikki on Aug 20, 2017

    Just wondering how it would be mounted.. ideas?


    • KatAych KatAych on Aug 21, 2017

      I know they make inside and outside mounts for windows; I was thinking the inside mounts would work?

  • Sharon Sharon on Aug 21, 2017

    Ah I don't thinks so... most dogs will stand and lean on the gate, they are made out of wood and some with plastic.

    • KatAych KatAych on Aug 21, 2017

      Most yes, but my husky's not the brightest..as long as there is some kind of barricade, he won't touch it! It could be toilet paper and he wouldn't go near it LOL

  • Tammi McCord Tammi McCord on Oct 12, 2017

    Did you install it yet? Curious how it worked... I stumbled onto this site by asking google that question. :)

  • Danielle Danielle on Apr 13, 2019

    Hi KatAych. Did you try the blind n its side idea? Im looking at doing this also. :)

  • Deb K Deb K on May 10, 2023

    Hello, it may work as long as you don't have a large headstrong pup, my Chow pup would have shredded on of these.

  • Mogie Mogie on May 10, 2023

    My french bulldogs have already torn thru a screen on my sliding glass door I am sure they would get excited and so the same here. Look for something stronger that can withstand a hyper puppy.