PROTECT Wood and Steel Designer Gate by Munchkin

Comments about Munchkin 1001332 PROTECT Wood and Steel Designer Gate by Munchkin:

This gate comes with an extender kit. However with the extender it was just a hit too big for 36" and without the extender it was a hair too small for the opening. We had to return it. Also,the instructions are only pictures, there are no words. I understand it is a baby gate, but a baby isn't installing it, adults should be able to read instructions!

Comments about Munchkin 1001332 PROTECT Wood and Steel Designer Gate by Munchkin:

I usually check reviews before buying items like this one; however, we were at the store and I liked the look of this gate and they were on sale. We bought two. I should have known better... we live an hour away and now I have to go back to return this junk! I have a white gate by Summer and it was so easy to install, so I figured this one would be the same. I really liked the modern look and the fact that it was not white. There is more plastic on this gate and the wood is very flimsy and cheap. I tried to take the plastic parts out of the sides to use the extensions - I'm not sure why thy don't just leave them out, instead of making people remove them if they want to use the extensions. The plastic pieces were impossible to get out and I ended up ruining them. I would not be able to use those pieces again if I wanted to shorten the gate - what a waste. I couldn't even finish putting the gate together to use it for this reason. I am returning both gates and will buy the Summer brand in white, until I can find something else built better with the modern look.

Comments about Munchkin 1001332 PROTECT Wood and Steel Designer Gate by Munchkin:

My husband and I bought this gate to keep our daughter out of the kitchen. It's relatively easy to install (it took a bit to figure out how to attach the extensions but was really quick after we learned). It is very sturdy, the lock is easy to use, and best of all, it looks great! The only down side is that it barely fits in the opening. We could use an extra extension or two and the only way we can figure out how to get them is through the manufacturer who is charging $22 for the pieces and $24 for shipping! It's absurd.

Comments about Munchkin 1001332 PROTECT Wood and Steel Designer Gate by Munchkin:

I originally purchased two different gates, but they were cheap quality and I ended up returning them. I purchased this one and a different one for a larger area. I have owned this gate since July 2011 and I have had no problems what so ever. Definitely would recommend!

Comments about Munchkin 1001332 PROTECT Wood and Steel Designer Gate by Munchkin:

I bought two to take advantage of the sale and expectation of having one at the top of the stairs and one at the bottom to prevent catastrophie with a fearless 13 month old ninja baby. It is true that some of the end caps are very snug and hard to remove and some are so loose that they fall out when the gate is tipped slightly. In a compression gate that doesn't matter once everthing is in place. No need to "break a screwdriver" as one reviewer put it. Just use the tool that came with it and put a little pressure at different places around the one or two that are stuck and you can work them out. I LOVE that you can adjust it fully. The bottom of our stairs was not built with gates in mind so the bottom of the gate was against moulding and a stair, but the top of the gate was against the wall and the pillar for the stair railing. This meant that the top was further apart than the bolts but there wasn't enough room on the bottom for me to add a hold extender bar. So, I just took one extender piece without the bar and stuck it in the top and it worked perfectly and has with stood dog, ninja baby, 6 kids opening and closing at various parties, and angry time out kicking as the time out spot is the landing by the gate :)
The last gate we had was from petsmart which had welded bars that my 7 year old kicked off ...
We ended up not using the second gate at the top of the stairs since the pillar for the banister was too loose to support a tension gate (not the gates fault) so I used it by the owrkout room for a while, and just easily moved it downstairs to block the suddenly not potty trained dog out of the dining room. Eventhough moving location required the removal of al lthe extender bars, I was able to complete the transfer in about 5 minutes. I wish they cam in a longer size as well!

Comments about Munchkin 1001332 PROTECT Wood and Steel Designer Gate by Munchkin:

I bought this product for the top of our stair and I was reluctant because I thought it was overpriced, but we needed a safe gate. When I opened the package I noticed the metal bars were warped and the gate would not close and latch. I returned it at the store for the same gate. When I opened the second gate, I was disappointed to see that the bars on this gate were also warped like the first and I was unable to close the latch on the door. I am heading to the store to return it again and ask for my money back or store credit.

Comments about Munchkin 1001332 PROTECT Wood and Steel Designer Gate by Munchkin:

The most difficult thing about this gate is getting the caps out to add extension pieces. Easy to install after that. Not a product you want to get if you're worried about it marking up your walls. What matters to me is that it is safe.. Very sturdy, holds up great so far with two rowdy preteen boys and a toddler. But seriously... I'm not kidding about the caps... I broke a screwdriver, snapped the tip off, trying to get it out.

Comments about Munchkin 1001332 PROTECT Wood and Steel Designer Gate by Munchkin:

We really liked the look of this gate and bought 2 of them. It is sturdy and feels very strong. Installation was not too difficult, the biggest nuisance is that the instructions are all pictures and arrows without ANY words. It took us 2 adults about an hour for the first one and half an hour of the second. Ours came with all the parts but a couple of the caps were tight and we couldn't just pop them out with the screwdriver as described. We were able to wedge it out with pliers and it worked fine. Another downside is I can't seem to find any additional extension pieces to purchase separately. It is easy enough to open for an adult.

Comments about Munchkin 1001332 PROTECT Wood and Steel Designer Gate by Munchkin:

Primarily using the gate to protect our carpet, by keeping our dog from heading upstairs. Eventually it will be for protecting our kid from climbing the stairs.

The height clearance of the gate installed on the bottom stair is just right that our cat is able to jump the gate to get back and forth. For ourselves, heading downstairs, we have to bend about a foot or 2 down to open the gate as we exit the stairs.

Gate took about an hour to install, including reading the instructions and watching the manufacturer's video that is online.

Uses a suspension/tension with the support bolts that hold up the gate. Getting these aligned on the walls, to hold the gate required a few attempts & patience to finally properly install.

Comments about Munchkin 1001332 PROTECT Wood and Steel Designer Gate by Munchkin:

The instructions for putting this together were very confusing, with no written directions to accompany unclear instructions. Now that I finally figured out how to install it, the gate looks beautiful and seems secure. But be prepared to spend way too much time on assembly.