Specialty Gates

Solutions for unusual spaces and situations

Some specialty products can also be configured to block off certain unsafe areas of a room, such as a Christmas tree or fireplace. The KidCo HearthGate (*Est. $185) is one such product. This item, designed specifically to create a secure area around a fireplace, features five interlocking sections that fit standard hearths 6 feet wide and 2 feet deep. The HearthGate is 29.5 inches tall and features a walk-through section that opens in both directions using only one hand. Extensions are also available (*Est. $35), each 24 inches wide, that can customize the HearthGate to fit any hearth. While this gate is expensive, users like the product's attractive black finish and say its more sophisticated appearance better blends in with home decor than similar plastic gates.

Over 35 owners posting to Amazon.com rate the HearthGate with an average of 4.5 out of five stars. Reviewers like the gate's black finish, and most feel it is sturdy and easy to mount to the wall. Several reviewers also mention using it for other areas, such as a Christmas tree and to surround a stand and large plasma TV, which the parent felt could endanger his child if it were to fall over. Most owners say the walk-through opening is easy to use and provides sufficient access to the fireplace, television or other area being partitioned.  

If you're not as concerned with looks, you can spend less and get similar functionality with the KidCo Configure (*Est. $130). This gate features three interlocking sections, each 24 inches wide, that can be adjusted to various angles to match the shape of a given area (such as a large entryway with steps or the bottom of an extra-wide staircase). Additional pieces are available (*Est. $45) to create a larger gate if needed. The white metal gate sits 29.5 inches high and comes with a walk-through door that operates using a one-hand release and swings in either direction. 

Just under 100 reviewers on Amazon.com are mostly positive, giving the Configure gate an average rating of 4.5 stars out of five. Most reviewers describe this gate as sturdy and like that its bottom mounting brackets are placed a bit higher, so if you have baseboards you won't need to put holes in them. (Most hardware-mounted gates need an even wall surface to mount correctly, so baseboards can also pose a problem when the bottom mounting bracket lines up on a baseboard and the top bracket on the wall.) However, there are a few complaints about its rails breaking off and being too sharp.

Another option is to use a play yard to block off unusually shaped areas. Play yards like the North States 3-in-1 Metal Superyard (*Est. $170) are made of six hinged panels that you can fold into pretty much any shape you like. This gate set also includes hardware to allow panels to be mounted to the wall. Several panels can also be used together to create an extra-wide barrier, which can even be mounted at an angle to partition off a corner of a room. So far, the 3-in-1 Metal Superyard gets a perfect five-star rating on both ToysRUs.com and Walmart.com, based on about 90 reviews overall.

We discuss more play yards in our separate report.