Retractable Baby Gate,70.87x33.86inch Stair Safety Gates, Stair Gates for Baby/Pet Indoor Outdoor (grey, M)

I ordered this gate to use behind our wrought iron gate, to prevent our miniature Dachshund puppy from sneaking under the gap at the bottom of the gate. Because the retractable gate can be installed very close to the ground, it will hopefully be perfect for this job. The gate seems to be very well built, with a satin grey finish and an attractive grey mesh for the retractable part. It is much more substantial than I had expected it to be and it feels as if it will be able to withstand a lot of punishment. I had initially been somewhat sceptical of the manufacturer’s claim that it could be used outside but all the metalwork seems to be powder coated, not just sprayed, and the other components are made of strong, flexible plastic, so I doubt that it will rust at any time soon. Installation is fairly straightforward, and I’m sure the outside installation will be a very simple and quick job, which is perhaps a good thing because the instructions really could do with some improvement. I haven’t yet installed the gate outside because of the recent freezing weather and heavy snowfalls up here on the moors, but I did a ‘dummy run’ at the bottom of the stairs and everything worked out perfectly. Because the dummy run was merely a temporary installation, I used strong double-sided tape to fix and test the gate, instead of the provided self-adhesive pads, but I would say that screws will be absolutely essential for all outside installations. Screws are indeed provided, together with all the other necessary fixings, but I always prefer to use my own screws because I can then be absolutely sure that my own pro-quality screws will work properly. However, that’s just my own personal choice, and I must confess that I haven’t even opened the screws pack yet to inspect them closely. Needless to say, this retractable gate won’t be as strong as a solid gate but it’s much lighter and much more compact than a solid gate, plus it is almost unnoticeable when fully retracted. It also extends to almost six feet (70.87 inches or 180cm) so can be used for a wide variety of spaces. It’s not designed to stop a charging buffalo but I’m certain that it’s more than strong enough to deter a small child or a pet. The only slight criticism I have of the gate is that it’s not quite as easy to operate with one hand as claimed by the manufacturer; it's a bit fiddly to locate the bottom part into the hook once extended. However, perhaps the operation may become easier with a permanent installation once things have eased off a little. I’ve seen inferior gates at almost twice the current price of £29.99, so I’d say that this gate is excellent value at the moment.
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Easy to fit and use
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Making our flat safer with two lively children and a playful dog has become much simpler thanks to this retractable baby gate. The width is sufficient to cover our open-plan kitchen, and the height reassures us that neither my toddler nor our terrier can manage to get over it. Being able to operate it with one hand has been extremely helpful, particularly when I’m holding the baby or carrying a load of laundry. The mesh seems sturdy and has a neat appearance, blending seamlessly with our décor without being overly noticeable. It wasn’t entirely straightforward, though – fitting it took longer than anticipated, as aligning the brackets required a few adjustments, especially given our uneven skirting boards. Once installed, it functioned effectively and was simple to remove and reposition. While I’ve mainly used it indoors, the option for outdoor use offers added versatility. A practical choice for safety-conscious parents.
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