I'm one of those very particular, overly-analytic consumers who researches until the end of days before making a purchase, a condition exacerbated by concern for the safety of my child. Safety gates in critical areas of our home amounted to hours of pouring over customer reviews on Amazon and other retailer sites, editorial reviews on non-commercial blog sites and conversations with family and friends who've been through this before me.
The exhaustive research led me here, to the North States SY 3 in 1. And after purchasing this last November and installing at the top of our staircase to close off a large second floor loft as a playroom, I couldn't be more pleased with my decision.
We attached one end of the gate to a banister, using the KidCo banister adapter kit. The gate makes a large semi-circle that encloses the play space from the rest of the upstairs, then terminates with 2 of the sections firmly wedged behind a large heavy couch.
This gate has proven to be extremely secure, not budging when our 27-pound 13-month old shakes and pulls on it. The door latch, which closes with a nice audible click at both the top and bottom of the frame, is very easy to open one-handed. It seems fairly future proof, however, as it requires a very specific angle of pressure (and a pretty deliberate thumb-push) to disengage. The door also sticks open at 90 degrees, but with a very gentle nudge, swings closed and snaps securely shut.
We have the wood-tone version of the gate, and the photos don't do it justice. It's not at all cheap looking, and the wood is not your garden-variety per-fab particle board. While the wood on our staircase and banisters are slightly lighter in color, it still looks very much an intended part of our decor. Family and friends have doled out numerous compliments...and my wife and I love the way it enhances instead of detracts from our decor. Yes, it's a baby gate, and we're not looking for a feature spread in Better Homes and Gardens, but it really does look like it belongs.
Installation took a couple of hours, mainly because I was hardware-mounting to a banister. The gate sections were very easy to configure and attach to each other. I would have liked to see North States include better wall-mounting hardware, as the package contained only some very short screws and a cheap bracket. It wasn't an issue for us, with our couch serving as a solid anchor on one end, but for those wanting to attach securely to wall studs, you may want to pick up some larger wall screws.
But again, I can't rave enough about this purchase and this gate.
| Product Dimensions | 33 x 28.25 x 7 inches |
|---|---|
| Item model number | 4940 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Safety warning | Check the included instruction manual for a complete list of safety warnings. You will also find the PDF of the manual on the Amazon listing |
| Maximum height recommendation | 30 Inches |
| Material Type | Wood |
| Material Composition | Wood |
| Additional product features | Freestanding |
| Number Of Items | 1 |
| Style | 3-In-1 Wood Superyard |
| Best uses | Sometimes it's hard to keep up with your baby. Keep him or her safe and secure in the Toddleroo by North States 3-in-1 Wood Superyard. The versatile, six-panel enclosure can act as a portable play yard, a gate or a barrier. As a play yard, it encloses up to 10 square feet and is 30 inches high. The 3-in-1 Wood Superyard is freestanding and sets up in seconds, it can be used inside on a variety of floor surfaces and won't slip or scratch. For added convenience, the 3-in-1 Wood Superyard can also be hardware mounted as an extra-wide barrier in your home or a gate, blocking off fireplaces, displays, etc. You'll be thrilled with its many options to fit your busy lifestyle. The one swinging walk-thru panel is built with a childproof double-locking system allowing easy access. If you'd like to increase the overall size, a Two-Panel Extension is available separately. Every single North States gate is JPMA and ASTM certified - no matter if it's a baby gate or a pet gate. We prioritize your family's safety first. |
| Batteries required | No |
| Item Weight | 4.4 pounds |
