When you have installed the Mounting Brackets on both sides of the desired opening or doorway, the retractable safety gate is easily snapped into the brackets on one side. The mounting of the dog gate is versatile, and it can be attached on either side of the installation area. To operate the safety gate, you will pull the handle located on the reel side of the gate and easily hook it into the mounting brackets on the opposite side. When the gate is hooked into the brackets, simply push down and turn the locking mechanism to securely lock the gate into place – effectively containing your dogs!
The locking mechanism on our retractable dog gates is a secure push-and-turn method that is fully dog-proof, and when the gate is locked, it is prevented from being pulled down or pushed out. The retractable gate fits openings of many sizes, since it is able to be locked at any width that is up to the maximum gate width. To pass through the dog gate, unlock it by pushing and turning the locking mechanism, unhook the handle from the brackets and then simply guide the handle back into the reel of the safety gate.
The Retract-A-Gate automatically rewinds only when it has been unlocked and uses an internal spring so that it never needs manual rewinding. Once it is fully retracted, the mesh and handle are neatly contained in the reel. The operation of the dog gate is simple and can be done quickly with just one hand. The Retract-A-Gate is automatic, quiet and easy – unlike any other retractable safety gate on the market. Safety and convenience are the priorities that go into the design and engineering of all of our retractable safety gates. Your satisfaction is important to us.
For complete instructions on installation and use, see our Install and Specs page. To see the Retract-A-Gate in action and hear first-hand from our customers about why they appreciate their Retract-A-Gates, visit our Dog Gate Videos and Reviews
From the beginning, the design of the Retract-A-Gate has focused on offering a gate that is the best functioning and of the highest quality. After thoroughly testing other retractable dog gates on the market, we discovered that the primary difference between these other gates and the Retract-A-Gate is the quality of the product. We have found that our competitors’ gates are often complicated and difficult to use, may break easily or simply will not hold up to repeated and long use. Retract-A-Gate is far above the other gates in all areas of durability, safety and ease of use, and we have priced our gates competitively considering their overall quality and value. Listed below are the qualities that show how the Retract-A-Gate is the superior option:
Watch our dog gate videos here!
Before you order your Retract-A-Gate, you’ll need to take a few measurements of your installation area.
You’ll need to know the width of the opening where you intend to install your gate. Retract-A-Gate is offered in two widths – 132cm and 183cm. These widths are the total distance, including both the gate and brackets, that the dog gate can cover when installed in an opening. Your installation area will need 6cm of flat surface area to install the mounting brackets, but if this is not possible, the brackets can also be mounted around the corner of the opening or doorway, either on the wall or the moulding. Note that if the brackets are mounted around a corner in this way, they will not be factored into the maximum gate width.
As stated above, the brackets will need about 6cm of flat surface to attach to, and they also need to be mounted about 8cm and 77.5cm from the floor. These measurements are somewhat flexible; they can be adjusted about 2.5cm up or down if needed.
If you have skirting boards in the area you plan to install your Retract-A-Gate, you will need to measure the thickness and height of the skirting board. This is to help determine if the bottom bracket will need to be mounted on the skirting board. If this is necessary, or if your skirting board measures thicker than 6.5mm, you will need to order a Wall Spacer set. For complete information on Wall Spacers, see the Wall Spacer section in our Online Store.
Other measurements that are helpful to know are the size of the gate when it is retracted and the heights of the mesh and the lock. The Retract-A-Gate has a diameter of less than 10cm when it is fully retracted, and most doors will still be able to be closed even with the dog gate and mounting hardware in place. The scratch-resistant mesh height is 86cm, and the complete height up to the top of the locking mechanism is 97cm.
Typically, no accessories should be needed when installing to a standard doorway, walkway or hallway, when the bracket screws are attached to a solid wall or moulding, and there are no skirting boards or stairs. When installing in other situations, such as on stairways or into skirting boards, we offer a number of accessories to assist with these types of installations. Complete information on installation and all of our accessories is on our Online Store page.
Top or bottom of stair use is absolutely possible, and Retract-A-Gate has undergone extensive testing to be certified for this type of stair use. Because of its design and engineering, it is made to hold up to 100kg of push out force. When installing to a banister post, it is often necessary to install using one of two possible methods. The first method is attaching the wall brackets directly to the stair post. This way will work if the post has a flat surface that is at least 8cm wide at 8-10cm and 77.5cm from the floor to provide an adequate area for attaching the mounting brackets. If your banister post or stair post is less than 8cm wide or is rounded in shape at the points where the brackets need to be attached, then you will need to use the second method. This will require the Stair Banister Adapter Kit which can be found in our Online Store. Each dog gate includes the necessary brackets, which will be screwed into the adaptor, and the adaptor assembly will be fastened to the stair post using the straps provided in the Stair Banister Adaptor Kit. Stair posts or spindles that are up to 18cm by 18cm in size can be used with the Banister Adaptor, and if the spindles or posts are 2.5cm or less, the Banister Adaptor is designed with a groove in the back to accommodate these smaller posts.
Please note that for top-of-stairs installations, it is recommended to mount the retractable safety gate so that there is a minimum of 15cm clearance between the gate mesh and the edge of the top step. The flexible mesh can gap if installed too close to the stair edge, creating a space where a pet or child could potentially slip through. If you are unable to install your gate with this recommended space from the step edge, the Retract-A-Gate can be installed at an angle away from the top step to allow for the 15cm space. For more information, see FAQ #6. If you are unable to angle the retractable dog gate, it may still be possible to block off areas nearby that would eliminate stair access.
For bottom-of-stairs installation, it is recommended to mount the Retract-A-Gate in front of the stairs on the floor. Mounting the safety gate up on top of a step creates a risk for a child or dog to potentially fall backwards from a higher spot. There are some stairway layouts where installation at the lowest level is hampered by recessed walls or curved steps. In cases such as these, installing up on a step can be accomplished by following certain safety precautions. If you have a unique stairway configuration, please contact us if you need help determining the appropriate way to safely install your Retract-A-Gate.
When attaching both sides of the dog gate to spindles or stair posts, two Banister Adaptor Kits will be needed for both sides of the stairs. Adaptors are available in two heights – 91cm and 122cm. In most cases, the 91cm adaptor will be sufficient, but in some situations with taller posts, the 122cm adaptor will be needed. Every stairway is different, and there may be posts that are narrow in the middle or vary in shape. The adapter is designed to fit over different sized posts to provide a flat surface that will be suitable for attaching the brackets. When you measure the distance from the floor to the area of the post that the adaptor needs to reach, note if the distance is greater than 91cm. If so, the 122cm adaptor will be needed. The adaptor can be cut shorter so that it does not stand taller than the stair post it is attached to. If you do decide to shorten your adaptor, do not cut it less than 81cm. Our Install & Specs Page contains complete information on details and installation.
Yes, it can! There are nearly unlimited angled mounting options, because the Mounting Brackets where the gate attaches allow the dog gate to pivot at any angle up to 180 degrees, unlike most of our competitors’ retractable dog gates. When used at the top of a stairway, the Retract-A-Gate can be installed to angle away from the top step to create the recommended 15cm space between the edge of the top step and the gate. If you install your gate for dogs in this way, make sure that you mount the brackets so that the bracket openings are faced away from the gate.
The versatile Retract-A-Gate can be mounted most anywhere and to nearly any surface. Other than installing to plasterboard, some other common installation surfaces are listed below along with what you need to consider for that surface.
Cabinets or bookcases: Cabinets and bookcases can tip unless they are mounted with stability, such as a wall mount. Therefore, we recommend installing only to a bookcase or cabinet that is wall mounted. The screws that are included with the gate are just 5cm long, so if the inner wall of the bookcase or cabinet is thin, a backer board may be needed. The backer board will provide a thicker surface for the screws for a stronger attachment, and will prevent the screws from protruding out the other side of the cabinet or bookcase wall. Some cabinets may have a countertop overhang where the gate is to be installed. When installing in this situation, wall spacers or wood blocks can be used to extend the brackets out from underneath the cabinet overhang. This will allow enough room to attach the safety gate.
Concrete, mortar, stone or brick: Appropriate masonry anchors will be needed when installing to hard surfaces such as concrete, mortar, stone or brick, since the screws that accompany the gate are intended only for use on wooden surfaces. Any hardware store can assist you in sizing the correct masonry anchor; you will just need to show them our screws and they will be able to help you find what you need. If you determine that you need screws that are a different length than the ones included with the gate, you will need to make sure you choose 3.5mm flathead screws in order to fit the accompanying washers. Installing to rough textured surfaces such as stone may not provide the flat surface needed for the bracket installation. An option in cases like these would be to obtain the masonry anchors and use them to fasten a board to the stone or other hard surface. The brackets could then be attached to the board, using the wood screws that are provided with the gate.
Fibreglass: The brackets should be mounted to the support or stud behind the fibreglass when at all possible, since mounting to the fibreglass alone will not provide a secure attachment for the brackets. If a support or stud is not available in your fibreglass installation area, you will need to obtain suitable anchors or use a backer board.
House cladding or vinyl siding: Typical houses have solid wood boards or plywood sheeting under the cladding or vinyl siding, so brackets are able to be installed safely and appropriately. The brackets cannot be attached to cladding or vinyl siding alone, as it is too thin to support a secure attachment.
You can use your gate outside with no problem! We put our dog gate through the rigors of a wide variety of outdoor weather conditions, including a chilly northern winter, and we obtained fantastic results. With ice or snow build-up, the mechanism can freeze, which can prevent the gate from opening or closing, so we do recommend that you bring your Retract-A-Gate indoors during colder weather to keep the mechanism working properly.
As with most items that see outdoor use, they tend not to last as long as products that are used solely indoors. The Retract-A-Gate is designed with UV resistance, and effects from sunlight should be minimal, but some fading or degrading of material may occur with continual or prolonged exposure to the sun.
Some people install their gates to composite decking, and the composite posts typically contain 10cm by 10cm treated posts. Pre-drilling the screw holes and using 3.5mm flat head stainless steel screws (the same size as the ones that are provided with the gate) is recommended. When attaching to treated wood, which is typically used for outdoor patios, decks and other structures, stainless steel holds up better than other material. If your house cladding has solid wood boards or sheeting underneath, you can attach the wall brackets to your house as well.
We are not offering custom size gates currently, but there are several options if you need to cover an opening wider than 183cm.
Option 1: Probably the best option is to use our Gate Connector Straps and attach two or more gates together in succession. As shown in the photos below, you would connect the handle rod of the first gate to the reel-side tie rod of the next gate, repeating the process for the number of gates you are using to accommodate the distance you need to cover. A benefit of this option is that the gates can still be retracted and locked with one-handed operation. If using this option, it is important to remember to lock all of the gates so that none of them can be retracted out if a dog pushes on them.
Since connecting multiple gates is not certified for use with children, this solution is to be used only in special situations that are not crucial for safety or where only a visual barrier is needed. Examples would be covering an extra-long distance or separating two rooms. You can find the Gate Connector Straps in our Online Store.
Option 2: A second way to cover an extra-wide opening is to install two gates, one on each side of the opening, and use our S-Hook Set to connect the two gates in the middle. When using two 183cm wide Retract-A-Gates, this option will accommodate distances up to 366cm. The S-Hooks are used to latch the two handle rods together by hooking into the cutouts in both the top and bottom. See the photos below for an illustration of this method. One drawback of this option is that two hands will be needed to operate the gates and so retracting the gates will be slower, but it is still very workable when looking to cover an extra-wide space.
Please be aware that this solution is also only for applications that are not critical, like areas that are low traffic, separating two rooms or where you just need a visual barrier. Use of the S-Hooks in this way to connect two gates together is not certified for use with children. If you choose this solution, see our Online Store page for the S-Hooks Set.
Option 3: You could consider installing a partition post in the center of your opening as a third option. The gates could be mounted to the post for installation, which would allow you to cover the desired space by extending both gates to the sides of the opening.
Although many breeds of dogs have been successfully contained by using Retract-A-Gate, some dogs have a tendency to dig or burrow. A metal dog gate may be the better solution if your dog has this inclination. Because the gate is made of flexible mesh so that it can retract, there is a certain amount of stretch to the material, even when installed correctly. If the dog gate is incorrectly installed, however, there may be too much “give” in the mesh. If you follow our recommended guidelines when using your retractable gate for dogs, most difficulties can be minimised:
The mesh height of the Retract-A-Gate is 86cm, making it one of the tallest gates on the market. When it is locked, it is very difficult to push the mesh down because it is held tightly in place and will not retract out further. It would be difficult for a dog to get a foot grip and climb over the gate because the mesh has a small, tight weave. In addition, the majority of dogs would not be able to jump over the gate unless they were encouraged or trained to do this. In the unlikely event that your dog does jump over the gate, you can install one gate on top of another using our accessory Clip Set, found in our Online Store. Other options may include finding a taller dog gate or using training methods to prevent your dog from jumping.
We are committed to both safety and durability in our gate components, and we have eliminated all harmful chemicals from our products so that your dogs are safe. The mesh is manufactured from a reinforced polymer composite material that is both tough and non-toxic. It is free of latex, BPA chemicals, lead, phthalate and formaldehyde. The dog gate mesh material is see-through but is extremely durable, and is even used for other purposes such as tarps to hold down cargo in the backs of trucks.
The first step in training your dog to respect any pet gate is introducing them to the gate. All types and temperaments of dogs can act unexpectedly when something new appears in their environment, but proper training can prevent common problems from occurring. Though our gate mesh is durable, an anxious or stressed dog can bite through just about any material. A solid steel dog gate should be used for dogs with biting tendencies. If you’re worried about your pet biting or damaging the gate, please reach out to us at info@SmartRetract.co.uk for information on supplementary aids and solutions that can help make Retract-A-Gate a permanent addition to your home.
We’d be glad to send you samples of the mesh in White, Black and Café colours at your request. Simply email us at info@SmartRetract.co.uk and be sure to provide your name and mailing address.
For lightly soiled areas, the dog gate can be easily cleaned with just water and a mild soap. Stubborn soil or stains can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol without damaging the safety gate material.
We understand that our customers want the best value for their money, and we’re confident that Retract-A-Gate offers the most value of any dog gate on the market. We have pledged and have taken great care to price all of our products fairly with this value in mind. We avoid the tactic of bombarding our customers with constant sales, discounts and promotions on overpriced items – which do nothing more than clog up your email. We remain committed to providing you with the best retractable dog gate combined with excellent service and support at a truly fair price, making Retract-A-Gate the best value of any gate in its class! We do, however, occasionally have special public events or promotional drawings. If that is ever the case, they will be published ONLY in our Online Store, in the first step of the Check Out process.
The most common use of the Bow Wow Barrier is on an exterior door to prevent a dog or pet from getting in or out of your home when the door is opened. Installing the Bow Wow Barrier is fairly straightforward: you will first attach two brackets to the door frame, wall or moulding, and then attach two brackets to the door itself. When you have installed the brackets, the barrier reel will be connected to the wall side, and the handle will be hooked into the door brackets. When the door is opened, the mesh barrier will pull out to block the door opening, and will automatically retract back into the Bow Wow Barrier reel when the door is closed. When you need to walk through the doorway, you’ll just unhook the handle from the door brackets, step through, and then guide the mesh back as it retracts into the reel. To keep the barrier in place after you have walked through the doorway, just reattach the handle to the door. Quick and simple to use, the Bow Wow Barrier is an effective way of preventing your dogs or pets from escaping when you open the door.
To help you decide which product will best fit your needs, we have listed some similarities and differences between these two products below.
Similarities:
Differences:
