How do I plexiglass a banister or make a barrier for babyproofing or Childproofing ?

I have been getting a lot of hits on my web site dmtoddler safety looking for ways to plexiglass bannisters or make barriers . So for the inquisitive I decided to write this article .

Why use plexiglass verses netting or film ?

Netting is hard to attach properly . It can also breakdown and create sags that give toe holds to climb over . It can also be a potential choking hazard . Film is very sharp and can give a cut just like a papers edge can cut . Imagine a little soft finger going across that . I recieved a very bad cut myself from the edge of a film barrier someone else had put up .

Just to understand I have spent a great deal of time practicing with plexiglass and learning how to use it . I had no one to teach me . It was a learn by trial and error and reading whatever material I could find . When using plexiglass for child safety much more care has to be given in what you are doing . Remember the edges are just like glass . So all edges and corners need to be rounded . As well the surfaces being covered need to be completely covered so there are no areas to climb or slip through .

The first thing you need to do is aquire the proper tools . There are special tools for plexiglass which make the job much easier . You will need a hand held planer a fine wood file , The correct drill . Yes the drills are different . A regular drill bit is set at 30 degrees , a acrylic drill bit is set at 70 degrees . Your going to need a drill motor with a clutch on it . Some pieces of wood and a panel saw blade for your circular saw . I find that the panel saw blade works best because the teeth are in line to prevent chiping and the plexiglass does'nt melt . Last thing a saber saw with medium toothed blade .

You will notice I sometimes refer to plexiglass as acrylic . Thats because there is a difference between acrylic and lexan . Some people prefer lexan because it can be bent cold . I prefer acrylic because it doesn't blister with heat when being polished like lexan does , and I like the idea of it being more ridgid . Also most people don't realize there are different grades of acrylic . Plexiglass is a petroleum based product with different additives that can be added to it just like different grades of gas . Plexiglass averages to be about 40 percent less expensive then lexan . Lexan is soft and is whats used for bullet proof glass . I haven't had to bullet proof any bannisters yet . Plexiglass is 10 times stronger than regular glass . It generally cracks or breaks due to vibration .

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d&m toddler safety , inc .

Of Michigan

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All pictures have plexiglass child safety barriers allready installed on them .

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Our main business is in home baby proofing . So if your looking for a baby proofer in Michigan or Northern Ohio please keep us in mind . We service both western and eastern Michigan .

248-624-7877

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