Top of stairs gate recs

[felicity]

What top of stairs gate do you use? Has anybody used a Retract-a-gate or other retractable gate at the top of the stairs?

We currently have a Kidco one which I hate. It's so loud and clunky and wakes the whole house when we use it.

Ideally what I'd like is one that is quiet, easy to use on handed, isn't so easy DS could figure it out, and no bar across the floor to trip over. So basically, not annoying to use but still safe. Does this unicorn gate exist? 

[7costanza]

I was going to recommend ours, but then realized it's a kidco. I don't find it loud or clunky at all though, it's the top of stairs angle mount safeway gate.

[7costanza]

Meant to add, I couldn't figure out how to link from the Amazon app, but that's where we bought it.

[redheadk]

We have this one: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006UMUB92?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage. Definitely able to open with one hand and mounts to the wall. Pretty easy to install. No complaints! I like that the wall brackets aren't huge, we took it down because DD doesn't need it anymore but left the brackets for when we have #2.

[felicity]

7costanza, that one looks a lot different than the Kidco one we have. Does it have a latch type mechanism and then you just swing it open? Ours you have to lift up and over this hook thing, and I don't know if ours is faulty or what, but it clangs so loudly every time we try to lift it out of the hook.

[felicity]

Feb 2, 2016 10:48:48 GMT -5 redheadk said:

We have this one: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006UMUB92?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage. Definitely able to open with one hand and mounts to the wall. Pretty easy to install. No complaints! I like that the wall brackets aren't huge, we took it down because DD doesn't need it anymore but left the brackets for when we have #2.

That's the one we have lol! 

[7costanza]

Feb 2, 2016 10:50:15 GMT -5 felicity said:

7costanza, that one looks a lot different than the Kidco one we have. Does it have a latch type mechanism and then you just swing it open? Ours you have to lift up and over this hook thing, and I don't know if ours is faulty or what, but it clangs so loudly every time we try to lift it out of the hook.

You have to lift it up and over the hook/bracket. Its kind of hard to tell from the pictures, but it looks almost identical to the one linked above, but doesn't have the exposed metal on the ends. I couldn't find a good picture of the closing mechanism, so that piece may be different, although it sounds very similar. Maybe Kidco would send you a new hook?

[7costanza]

If you go to the Safeway angle mount gate on amazon, the second to last picture is of the latch. I wish I could figure out how to link!

[mainelyfoolish]

I have this gate. It doesn't retract but it slides and swings. It takes adult strength to open the latch. www.walmart.com/ip/Evenflo-Top-of-the-Stairs-Extra-Tall-Gate/13264742

[noodleoo]

We just installed the dreambaby retractable gate. I like it, although DD isn't crawling yet so it hasn't been tested. It looks secure though. It is really loud when it retracts though and not super easy to use one handed. It was the best option due to our layout.

[VillainV]

We have a wooden one that sounds like it would work for you, let me see if I can find it online.

Edit: it's The Summer Infant Deluxe Stairway Simple to secure gate. It's attached to a banister on one side and the the wall on the other.

[Deleted]

We have the one redheadk posted. We have them at the top and bottom of the stairs. No complaints. They have been up for 3 years now and we haven't had any issues.