Product Review: North State Extra Wide Wooden Swing Gate

My baby just learned to crawl. I grabbed the video camera and screamed in delight. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. My baby just learned how to crawl! Great, now what? Time to package up the Lenox candy bowls and bubble wrap the crystal flower vase. We have a child on the loose.

I always said I would never become one of those people who let their children run their life. Now, my 6 month old is redecorating my house? I don't think so. I decided instead of inviting her to rampage the house completely, I will fence her into the living room. She will have a safe environment that she can roam freely and safely. I need a gate.

This is no normal opening of course. The measuring tape gave me the bad news of 78 inches. For one week I went to every Babies R'Us, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Target, and Home Depot. I went anywhere that could possibly sell a room dividing gate. Of course no one stocked anything that went above 54". This is when I hit the Internet.

A handful of gates came up. They all had something working against them for my situation. They were too expensive. They weren't long enough. They were too long. They were permanent. They were ugly. Most were ranging in the $150 range and up. They were mostly all made of white aluminum so that they would easily blend into any home decor - if you live in a prison.

Then there was hope. I came across Wal-Mart.com. There was light at the end of my quickly fading tunnel. The North State Extra Wide Wooden Swing Gate was right there. It fit every need of mine and then some. The gate is adjustable, fitting entryways from 57" to 103" and coming in at 27" tall. It comes in a natural wood finish. Best of all was the price of $48.86.

I put my order in on a Friday and by the next Wednesday it was sitting at my door. My husband and I figured it would take at least a half hour to put up, so we waited until we would have enough time to install it right. We were pleasantly surprised when it only took ten minutes. The only tool required was a screwdriver. It was actually so simple I could have installed it alone - not a common occurrence.