I too trip, and break the ferret gates I have built, and sometimes almost break my neck at the same time. This time, I bought a peice of what is called "hardwood". It is the stuff that usually has all those little holes in it to make a place to hang tools on at a workbench, but with out the holes. Its dark brown and smooth and 1/4 inch thick. Then I used plastic lattice capping for the "channels" to slide the gate into. Works like a charm...28" high in this ferretland with a thick cardboard tube slit and fit over the top to stop my "jumper" Dakota from having ANYTHING to get a grip on! The tube I got at a carpet warehouse. Hope this helps someone! Debi , Don (hoomins) and Dakota,Dookie, Mr.T, Meishka and the"foster-kid Spartacus [Posted in FML 5719]