I love this gate/fence system. I purchased another one that was plastic and it did not live up to my expectations despite the good reviews - so back it went. This is VERY sturdy. I have two that I connected to make a larger play area for my daughter, but I currently have them separated with her toy boxes and an ottoman as the "connection" between the gates. One set has 5 panels and the other has 7 panels (the 5 panels in a line is a little easy for her to move/knock over, I recommend having at least 6 if it is going to be in a line formation). Eventually she will be able to move it so I will then connect one end together and only have the opening where the toy boxes are (until she learns to climb over the toy boxes I guess!). Provided she isn't too tired or fussy, she will play in there by herself for up to an hour or more allowing me to get some chores done and I never worry about her getting out - although I don't think I am brave enough to go take a shower or something and leave her alone in there for 15-20 minutes without checking on her. She is 14 months old and can't quite walk yet, but she pulls up on the rails/slats and walks along the fence. Here's kind of a break down of the different things I was looking for in a gate/fence system: Simple Connection - Because we have such a large living room, I knew I'd need more than one gate to enclose the entire space. Connecting two or more together is so easy! The plastic one we got first you had to bend (top to bottom, like in half almost) in order to separate the panels to change the number of panels or add a panel/extension. It was already warped out of the box, like someone else had already had it and tried to bend it to adjust the panels, or maybe it is manufactured like that. This one is so simple with the connectors that loosen and tighten and just pull down on it to separate and the panels come apart so easily - but not so easily that a baby/toddler would be able to pull down the slat to remove it and separate the panels, it requires a little bit of muscle to pull the connector slat down and out. Being able to connect multiple gates was very important to me. Sturdiness - The system is very sturdy, which is also important. My sister often will sit on it (like sitting on the edge of the couch or something, but on the fence rail) and it hasn't ever buckled under her weight (although it always makes me nervous when she sits on it) and she will balance on it with both feet off the floor. Granted, she doesn't weight a LOT, but she's still a full grown adult! Climbing prevention - Climbing is another issue I was concerned about-I don't think my daughter will be able to climb this one because of the vertical slats. She puts her feet through the slats like she wants to climb, but since there aren't any horizontal slats, I don't think she'd be able to get a foothold to initiate lifting herself over. Play area - The only downside is the size of the play area of just one by itself. Maybe I am spoiling my child, but I want her to be able to have as much play area as possible, I mean, we have a huge living room, so we might as well use it all! We currently have two connected and I plan on getting another one so that I can make a little bit larger area and have a rocking chair in there so when my new baby arrives in a couple of weeks I can be in there with her when she isn't feeling like playing alone. Weight - It is a little heavy, especially with two of them together, but if you want something sturdy, it is going to have a little weight to it. It is light enough that (when I'm not pregnant) I could lift it into the car and take it with me, but I'd have to separate the two and carry them separately if I wanted to bring both. Height - this one is 29 inches tall, which is taller than some of the other ones out there. I think that will also help to prevent the climbing. Gate - the gate is simple enough that I can open it with one hand (press down the button with the thumb and lift the gate at the same time to open), but complicated enough that I don't think my daughter will be able to figure it out anytime soon. The gate opening itself isn't very wide, 14 inches from the inside of the hinge to the inside of the latch (15 inches from the two inside slats), but it isn't like it is in a doorway where I'd be in and out of it all the time carrying laundry or other stuff and need a wider opening. Once I am in there, I usually stay in for a while with my daughter. Also, the gate has an automatic close feature as long as it isn't opened all the way it will swing closed and latch. Price - the other downside is the cost. It isn't one of the cheapest gate/fences out there. Ranges from $100-$120 on amazon, but qualifies for free shipping and of course no tax, so that is nice. The other one I got (the plastic one) was around $60, so for me, all of the pros of this one definitely outweighed the con of the price. That is all I can think of at the moment! Hope it helps!
