Smart Retract Gates FAQ's
Smart Retract Gate Frequently Asked Questions
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JPMA) is a national trade organization chartered in 1962 that is dedicated to educating consumers on the safe use and selection of juvenile products.
JPMA developed an extensive Certification Program to help guide consumers toward purchasing juvenile products that are built with safety in mind.
To become JPMA Certified, Retract-A-Gate was professionally tested by an independent testing facility for compliance with the specific American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) standards.
Once a product passes the tests, JPMA allows the manufacturer to label it with the JPMA Certified Seal.
Our baby gates are re-tested every year to maintain their certification. Additionally, Retract-A-Gate also exceeds the Canadian Safety Standards for baby gates.
Retract-A-Gate Safety Gates can be cleaned with mild soap and water as needed. For stubborn stains, rubbing alcohol can be used.
The mesh fabric used for Retract-A-Gate Safety Gate is a tough, non-toxic, reinforced polymer composite. The material does not contain Lead, Phthalate, Latex or BPA chemicals and is formaldehyde free. The mesh is very durable, yet still allows you to clearly see through it. It is also Ultraviolet (UV) and mildew resistant.
6-24 months is an age range which most baby gates are certified for by independent testing organizations. The common belief by testing organizations is that beyond 2 years children start to become strong enough and smart enough to open most baby gates. A small child wouldn’t figure out the lock on the Retract-A-Gate baby gate unless they were shown how, since you have to push down and turn at the same time (kind of like child-proof caps). Retract-A-Gate is designed to be very easy for adults to operate, but would be difficult for small children to open the baby gate.
With a mesh height of 34 inches, Retract-A-Gate is one of the tallest retractable safety gates available. When locked, the mesh is held taut, so it is difficult to push down. The Retract-A-Gate baby gate doesn’t have any large openings or places where little ones can step up onto, so climbing over the baby safety gate would be difficult.
When installed properly, there will be some give to the mesh due to the fact that it needs to be flexible in order to retract. However, if installed incorrectly there may be too much flexibility.
When the Retract-A-Gate is installed properly, the bottom gap is only 1cm
Follow these guidelines to minimize any issues:
- Make sure to always lock the retractable safety gate by pushing and turning the lock. This will keep the mesh taut and help prevent your child from pushing the mesh out.
- Be sure the base of the baby gate is sitting on the floor and is not mounted up off the floor at all. When in use there should be no more than about 1/4″ gap between the bottom of the mesh and the floor.
- If you have the retractable safety gate mounted near a step, make sure the mesh is at least six inches back from the edge of the step. Being close to an edge can create a gap that babies may be able to push through.
- When the mesh is extended and locked, both the top and bottom should be tight with no slack. If there is slack in the bottom, it probably means the bottom brackets are spaced too close to each other (compared to the upper brackets). Adjust the brackets so the distance between them across the opening is identical.
- To apply a slight amount of additional tension before locking the mesh in place, tighten the roll of fabric (no more than 1/8 of a turn), and then lock the gate.
The Retract-A-Gate’s mesh is made from a reinforced polymer composite that is both tough and non-toxic (does not contain Lead, Phthalate, Latex, BPA chemicals or formaldehyde). We are very concerned with these sorts of chemicals and are proud to be ahead of the curve in regards to eliminating them from all our products for babies.
The Retract-A-Gate is certified to ASTM2 standard for gates & enclosures specification F1004-13, JPMA3 certified baby gate for the top and bottom of stairs & exceeds the European Standard EN1930:2011.
Retract-A-Gate has been used successfully with many different cat breeds. There are some breeds of cats that will not be stopped by any gate and will jump or burrow past any obstruction. If this is the case, you will need to utilize training devices in conjunction with the gate to effectively corral your pets. Because the gate is retractable, there will be some amount of give to the mesh material; however, if installed incorrectly there may be too much flexibility.
By following these guidelines, you can minimize most issues:
- Always lock the gate for cats. This will keep the mesh taut and help prevent your pet from pushing underneath the mesh.
- When installing the gate ensure the base of the cat gate is resting on the floor and not mounted up off the floor at all. When installed correctly, there should be no more than about 1/4″ (1cm) gap between the bottom of the mesh and the floor.
- If your cat gate is mounted near the top of the steps, make sure the mesh of the gate is installed at least six inches back from the edge of the step. If installed too close to the edge of the step, the mesh can be pushed out past the edge and create a gap for a cat to squeeze through.
- Both the top and bottom of the gate should be tight with no slack. Slack at the bottom probably means the bottom brackets are spaced too close to each other (compared to the upper brackets). The horizontal distance between the upper brackets should match the horizontal distance between the lower brackets.
- If additional tension is needed in the gate, close the gate by pulling it out and hook it into the opposite brackets, then turn the roll clockwise about 1/8 of a turn and while holding it in that position, lock the gate.
With a mesh height of 34″ (86cm), Retract-A-Gate is one of the tallest gates available.
Retract-A-Gate’s tightly woven mesh fabric makes it difficult for a cat to climb over and most cats are not inclined to jump up and over things; they usually want a flat surface to land on first before they jump back down so that they can see where they are going to land.
Since the retractable pet gate doesn’t offer a “ledge” for them to jump up to, most cats are not able to overcome the Retract-A-Gate.
If however, your cat loves to jump and can jump over a three-foot fence or safety gate, you will need a taller cat gate.
The Retract-A-Gate’s mesh is made from a reinforced polymer composite that is both tough and non-toxic (does not contain Lead, Phthalate, Latex, BPA chemicals or formaldehyde). We are very concerned with these sorts of chemicals and are proud to be ahead of the curve in regards to eliminating them from all our products for cats.
The mesh is composed of a very durable, yet see-through material which is UV and mildew resistant and in other applications this same mesh is used for truck tarps to hold down cargo.
Retract-A-Gate has been successfully used with just about every breed of dog. With that said, some breeds of dogs like to burrow and dig. For these dogs, a metal dog gate may be your best option. Even when installed properly, there will be some amount of “give” to the mesh material due to the fact that it needs to be flexible in order to retract. If the dog gate is installed incorrectly there may be too much flexibility in the mesh. By following these guidelines, you can minimize most issues that could arise when using your retractable gate for dogs:
- Always ensure the gate is locked! The retractable safety gate can be locked by pushing and turning the locking mechanism which will prevent the gate from retracting further. Locking the gate will also keep the mesh taut and help prevent your pet from pushing the mesh out and slipping underneath.
- Be sure the base of the safety gate used for dogs is resting on the floor and is not mounted up off the floor at all. When resting on the floor, there should be no more than about 1/4″ gap between the bottom of the mesh and the floor.
- When installing at the top of the stairs, make sure the mesh is at least six inches back from the edge of the step. If the gate is installed right next to the edge of the step, the mesh could be pushed out past the edge which would create a gap that a small pet could squeeze through.
- Both the top and the bottom of the safety gate mesh should have no slack. If there is slack in the bottom of the mesh, it probably means the bottom brackets are too close to each other compared to the spacing between the two upper brackets. To fix this issue, create equal spacing between the two upper brackets and the two lower brackets. To help you do this you could make your own spacer from a block of wood or shim, or we offer Wall Spacer Sets on our Store page.
- You can also tighten the gate by adding additional tension before locking the mesh in place. To do this, turn the roll of fabric (1/8 of a turn clockwise) to tighten the mesh by hand and then, while keeping the tension, lock the gate.
Retract-A-Gate is one of the tallest available with a mesh height of 34 inches. When the gate is locked, the mesh is held in place and will not retract out any further making it difficult to push down.
The mesh of the dog gate is thinly spaced which makes the gate difficult for dogs to climb over.
Most dogs are unable to jump over the gate unless specifically trained or encouraged to do so. If your dog can jump over a 3 feet fence or gate, you will need to find a taller dog gate or use a training aid to discourage your dog from trying to jump over.
The Retract-A-Gate’s mesh is made from a reinforced polymer composite that is both tough and non-toxic (does not contain Lead, Phthalate, Latex, BPA chemicals or formaldehyde). We are very concerned with these sorts of chemicals and are proud to be ahead of the curve in regards to eliminating them from all our products for dogs.
The mesh is composed of a very durable, yet see-through material which is UV and mildew resistant and in other applications this same mesh is used for truck tarps to hold down cargo.
Depending on the Retract-A-Gate model you intend to or have already purchased (either 52″ or 72″), your gate will fit openings UP TO a maximum of 132 cm or 172 cm. These maximums are the total distance (gate and brackets) that the baby gate can cover.
The height of the mesh on the retractable baby gate is about 87.5 cm and the total height to the top of the lock is just under 96 cm. You would need to ensure there are enough clearance space where the gate is going to be installed so that you can not only install the gate but also have easy access to the childlock mechanism. The gate also needs to sit on a flat surface for proper operation.
Next, you need to decide on where to install the wall brackets. These are Universal Brackets which means that all the brackets are identical. The brackets on each side are mounted at about 8cm and 78.5 cm off the floor and require about 6.5 cm wide flat surface to attach to (see the size of brackets in images above). Unlike most gates, there is some leeway to the height for where the brackets are mounted, especially on the reel side that holds the safety gate. This makes the installation easier.
When completely retracted, Retract-A-Gate only protrudes less than 9 cm from the wall. This makes it fairly flexible where you choose to install your wall brackets without the need to worry about the gate blocking the way. For example, for a typical doorway, you can choose to install directly within the doorway, or, in the event, you don’t have the 6.5 cm necessary to mount your Universal Brackets in the doorway, the brackets can also mount around the corner of the doorway, either on the door molding or on the wall as long as you do not exceed the maximum distance it can cover.
If there are baseboards/skirtings where you will be installing your Retract-A-Gate, you need to measure the height and thickness of your baseboard/skirtings to determine if you will need wall spacers and how many you would need.
Spacers are useful accessories to help you in your installation of the Retract-A-Gate safety gate. They can be purchased in packs of 10 pieces. Spacers are design to fit exactly the Universal Wall Brackets using the same translucent material. Each spacer is 3mm thick and are stackable to create the thickness you need.
Typically these are scenarios that spacers would be necessary:-
- Wall skirtings/baseboard that result in the opening of the Universal Brackets being partially blocked. Hooking the gate into the brackets becomes difficult or not possible at all when this happens. In this case, the spacers are used to displace the brackets away from the wall to ensure that the opening is not blocked.
- The opposite sides of the wall brackets are not parallel. This can happen if walls are not flat or in some cases, some brackets need to be installed on protruding surfaces such as skirtings. Spacers can be use to help level the brackets to be parallel.
- Not enough clearance at the top of the child lock knob for smooth operation. This can happen especially when gate needs the installed on kitchen cabinet where the protruding tabletop can get in the way. It can also happen when installing the gate on certain stairway where the hand railing can also block the childlock knob. To create the clearance, spacers can be use to shift the wall brackets outwards away from the wall until the blockages are removed.
Absolutely! A nice advantage of Retract-A-Gate Safety Gate is that it can be installed on a diagonal & work at pretty much ANY ANGLE, opening up numerous mounting options. This is just one of the many great retractable baby gate features which few if any other baby safety gates on the market have.
You can also diagonally attach Retract-A-Gate Safety Gate to a wall farther away from the top of the stairs in order to help keep it back the recommended 6 inches.
For the best security with an angled installation, the openings of the brackets should face away from the Retract-A-Gate.
You would need a measuring tape to confirm the distance of the area you intend to cover using the Retract-A-Gate. The distance should definitely be less than the maximum length of your gate you plan to get. Either 132cm (52″ gate) or 182cm (72″ gate). It is also crucial to determine if there are suitable places to secure the Universal Brackets to. |
The Smart Retract Retract-A-Gate is secured using 4 screw mounted Universal brackets. For installation, you would need a phillips or “cross head” screw driver for use with #6 size screws. Optional: An electric screw driver while not necessary can make installation even faster & easier. |
 PencilGet a pencil handy when you start to install your gate. You will need it to help mark locations for the Universal Brackets and drilling locations. |
 Spirit LevelTo ensure the gate is nice and taut, the 2 sets of Universal brackets on opposite sides of the Retract-A-Gate need to be parallel to each other. The spirit level is used to help achieve that. |
Screw anchors for use with holes drilled into concrete, bricks or dry walls have been provided as part of all Retract-A-Gates (Southeast Asia version). |
Power DrillAs a hardware mount gate, the Universal Brackets needed to be secured using screws. Depending on where and what type of surfaces you are installing the Universal Brackets, you might require different set of tools. You cannot do without a power impact drill if you need to drill into concrete, bricks or dry walls.There are many alternative surfaces that the Retract-A-Gate can be mounted to. Some of the more common ones are listed below along with what you need to consider for that surface.
Bookcase or cabinet
You can mount the brackets to a bookcase only if the bookcase is stable (wall-mounted). You may need to put a backer board on the inside wall of the bookcase (or cabinet) if the wall is thin so that the screws have a minimum of 1 inch of solid wood to bite into.
If you wish to mount the Retract-A-Gate baby gate to a cabinet where there is a small counter top overhang, the wall spacers can be used under both the top and bottom brackets. The spacers should move the safety gate out away from the counter’s edge to provide enough clearance to mount the baby safety gate.
Brick, stone, concrete, or mortar
You will need appropriate masonry anchors which you can purchase at any hardware store. Simply take the screws that come with Retract-A-Gate to the store and have them size an appropriate masonry anchor for you. The screws we provide are 2 inches long. If you need to use shorter screws be sure to use #6 flat head screws and use the included finishing washers. Another option would be to fasten a board to the brick/stone/concrete/mortar using similar anchors and then attach the brackets to the board.
Fiberglass
We always recommend mounting the brackets to the support/stud behind the fiberglass as that will provide the best holding power. If there is no support then you need to use appropriate anchors or a backer board that will work with your fiberglass.
Vinyl siding on a house
You can attach the retractable baby gate wall brackets to the house siding as long as there is solid wood sheeting/boards underneath the siding (this is normally the case).
We ship internationally to most locations around the world. You can check out the list of countries on our shipping page here.
Yes, we offer free shipping to local addresses with a minimum spending. If your order is above $120, we offer complimentary door to door courier to all locations within Singapore, except the standard No-go zones or offshore islands.
See more on our shipping methods and policy here.
Express local courier – Deliveries will typically be made within 1-3 working days using either Aramex, Janio or Ninja Van Express services. Tracking the progress of your parcel is available to you online at aramex.com, janio.asia or at ninjavan.co. Service delays by the courier may however happen during peak seasons or outbreak situations, and it is not unusual to receive your package up to 5 days after courier has picked up from us. However, if you are concerned, please contact us if you have not received your items after 5 working days. We’ll help you take care of it.
International Shipping: For deliveries by DHL Express or FedEx, the delivery time is usually between 1 to 5 working days. Do note that delays in customs clearance is possible and delays due to outbreak situations like the recent Covid-19 may also affect delivery standards. This is dependent on the situation in different countries and is beyond our control. We also offer Aramex courier to Malaysia.
Yes, you can collect your order directly from our retail showroom. When you are carting out, simply indicate that you are doing self collection and you may drop by during our operating hours to pick up your order. We are open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10am to 4pm. Please note that our retail showroom is closed on Wednesdays, Sundays and public holidays.
For any online orders that are invoiced but not shipped out yet, cancellation will come with an administration charge of 15% of the order or S$10, whichever is higher. If an order has already been processed and sent out, cancellation will not be possible.
For standard local courier, you can track your parcel by using your tracking number on the courier website. Simply visit the courier website and input your tracking number available in your order shipping email into the tracking ID box. From there, you can check if your parcel is pending collection, at the courier sorting warehouse or pending delivery. If you have any other inquiries or face any issues regarding the status of your parcel or with delivery, send us a message through our contact form and we’ll happily assist!
For hygiene reasons, all goods sold are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Only products found to have manufacturing defects are eligible for exchanges.
Whether the reported issues is a manufacturing defect or not is to be determined at our sole discretion.
For any exchanges, the product must be returned to us within 3 days in original condition, unwashed and all tags attached. We suggest that you check all items right away after you receive it to avoid any contentions. Any faults reported after this will be subjected to individual suppliers’ warranty programs, and the service time varies between suppliers. The customer is responsible for the cost of return shipping if applicable.
Local import duties & charges pertinent to your country and state may apply for your shipment depending on where you reside. We strongly suggest that you check with the policies of your country to avoid unexpected charges.
It is important to note that while we do not collect Singapore GST for orders shipped internationally, it is possible that your country may apply additional taxes or/and duties to imports. Please check the policies of your country to avoid unexpected charges as we will not be liable for the handling of such charges.
Some items may not be imported into specific countries by law. Please find out the laws in your country before placing an order. Rejection of packages by customs will be treated as per order cancellation.
Smart Retract products are designed and manufactured by Smart Retract Inc. in the USA.
Smart Retract Inc. is based in Dubuque, Iowa. You can find out more about Smart Retract Inc. here.
We are an authorized distributor of Smart Retract products in Asia pacific.
Spring Breeze Marketing Pte Ltd is based in Singapore. You can find out more about us on our company website.
Absolutely! Retract-A-Gates retractable safety gates are on display at our showroom. Stocks are available for purchase directly at the showroom. You can visit us during showroom opening hours. Our showroom is easily accessible by train (walking distance from Marymount MRT Station) and by car (parking lots are available directly at the building).
If you need any advice on whether the gate can be suitable for you, be sure to take some photos of the area(s) you intend to cover with the gate(s) and take some basic measurements 1st before coming by.
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JPMA) is a national trade organization chartered in 1962 that is dedicated to educating consumers on the safe use and selection of juvenile products.
JPMA developed an extensive Certification Program to help guide consumers toward purchasing juvenile products that are built with safety in mind.
To become JPMA Certified, Retract-A-Gate was professionally tested by an independent testing facility for compliance with the specific American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) standards.
Once a product passes the tests, JPMA allows the manufacturer to label it with the JPMA Certified Seal.
Our baby gates are re-tested every year to maintain their certification. Additionally, Retract-A-Gate also exceeds the Canadian Safety Standards for baby gates.
Retract-A-Gate Safety Gates can be cleaned with mild soap and water as needed. For stubborn stains, rubbing alcohol can be used.
The mesh fabric used for Retract-A-Gate Safety Gate is a tough, non-toxic, reinforced polymer composite. The material does not contain Lead, Phthalate, Latex or BPA chemicals and is formaldehyde free. The mesh is very durable, yet still allows you to clearly see through it. It is also Ultraviolet (UV) and mildew resistant.
6-24 months is an age range which most baby gates are certified for by independent testing organizations. The common belief by testing organizations is that beyond 2 years children start to become strong enough and smart enough to open most baby gates. A small child wouldn’t figure out the lock on the Retract-A-Gate baby gate unless they were shown how, since you have to push down and turn at the same time (kind of like child-proof caps). Retract-A-Gate is designed to be very easy for adults to operate, but would be difficult for small children to open the baby gate.
With a mesh height of 34 inches, Retract-A-Gate is one of the tallest retractable safety gates available. When locked, the mesh is held taut, so it is difficult to push down. The Retract-A-Gate baby gate doesn’t have any large openings or places where little ones can step up onto, so climbing over the baby safety gate would be difficult.
When installed properly, there will be some give to the mesh due to the fact that it needs to be flexible in order to retract. However, if installed incorrectly there may be too much flexibility.
When the Retract-A-Gate is installed properly, the bottom gap is only 1cm
Follow these guidelines to minimize any issues:
- Make sure to always lock the retractable safety gate by pushing and turning the lock. This will keep the mesh taut and help prevent your child from pushing the mesh out.
- Be sure the base of the baby gate is sitting on the floor and is not mounted up off the floor at all. When in use there should be no more than about 1/4″ gap between the bottom of the mesh and the floor.
- If you have the retractable safety gate mounted near a step, make sure the mesh is at least six inches back from the edge of the step. Being close to an edge can create a gap that babies may be able to push through.
- When the mesh is extended and locked, both the top and bottom should be tight with no slack. If there is slack in the bottom, it probably means the bottom brackets are spaced too close to each other (compared to the upper brackets). Adjust the brackets so the distance between them across the opening is identical.
- To apply a slight amount of additional tension before locking the mesh in place, tighten the roll of fabric (no more than 1/8 of a turn), and then lock the gate.
The Retract-A-Gate’s mesh is made from a reinforced polymer composite that is both tough and non-toxic (does not contain Lead, Phthalate, Latex, BPA chemicals or formaldehyde). We are very concerned with these sorts of chemicals and are proud to be ahead of the curve in regards to eliminating them from all our products for babies.
The Retract-A-Gate is certified to ASTM2 standard for gates & enclosures specification F1004-13, JPMA3 certified baby gate for the top and bottom of stairs & exceeds the European Standard EN1930:2011.
Retract-A-Gate has been used successfully with many different cat breeds. There are some breeds of cats that will not be stopped by any gate and will jump or burrow past any obstruction. If this is the case, you will need to utilize training devices in conjunction with the gate to effectively corral your pets. Because the gate is retractable, there will be some amount of give to the mesh material; however, if installed incorrectly there may be too much flexibility.
By following these guidelines, you can minimize most issues:
- Always lock the gate for cats. This will keep the mesh taut and help prevent your pet from pushing underneath the mesh.
- When installing the gate ensure the base of the cat gate is resting on the floor and not mounted up off the floor at all. When installed correctly, there should be no more than about 1/4″ (1cm) gap between the bottom of the mesh and the floor.
- If your cat gate is mounted near the top of the steps, make sure the mesh of the gate is installed at least six inches back from the edge of the step. If installed too close to the edge of the step, the mesh can be pushed out past the edge and create a gap for a cat to squeeze through.
- Both the top and bottom of the gate should be tight with no slack. Slack at the bottom probably means the bottom brackets are spaced too close to each other (compared to the upper brackets). The horizontal distance between the upper brackets should match the horizontal distance between the lower brackets.
- If additional tension is needed in the gate, close the gate by pulling it out and hook it into the opposite brackets, then turn the roll clockwise about 1/8 of a turn and while holding it in that position, lock the gate.
With a mesh height of 34″ (86cm), Retract-A-Gate is one of the tallest gates available.
Retract-A-Gate’s tightly woven mesh fabric makes it difficult for a cat to climb over and most cats are not inclined to jump up and over things; they usually want a flat surface to land on first before they jump back down so that they can see where they are going to land.
Since the retractable pet gate doesn’t offer a “ledge” for them to jump up to, most cats are not able to overcome the Retract-A-Gate.
If however, your cat loves to jump and can jump over a three-foot fence or safety gate, you will need a taller cat gate.
The Retract-A-Gate’s mesh is made from a reinforced polymer composite that is both tough and non-toxic (does not contain Lead, Phthalate, Latex, BPA chemicals or formaldehyde). We are very concerned with these sorts of chemicals and are proud to be ahead of the curve in regards to eliminating them from all our products for cats.
The mesh is composed of a very durable, yet see-through material which is UV and mildew resistant and in other applications this same mesh is used for truck tarps to hold down cargo.
Retract-A-Gate has been successfully used with just about every breed of dog. With that said, some breeds of dogs like to burrow and dig. For these dogs, a metal dog gate may be your best option. Even when installed properly, there will be some amount of “give” to the mesh material due to the fact that it needs to be flexible in order to retract. If the dog gate is installed incorrectly there may be too much flexibility in the mesh. By following these guidelines, you can minimize most issues that could arise when using your retractable gate for dogs:
- Always ensure the gate is locked! The retractable safety gate can be locked by pushing and turning the locking mechanism which will prevent the gate from retracting further. Locking the gate will also keep the mesh taut and help prevent your pet from pushing the mesh out and slipping underneath.
- Be sure the base of the safety gate used for dogs is resting on the floor and is not mounted up off the floor at all. When resting on the floor, there should be no more than about 1/4″ gap between the bottom of the mesh and the floor.
- When installing at the top of the stairs, make sure the mesh is at least six inches back from the edge of the step. If the gate is installed right next to the edge of the step, the mesh could be pushed out past the edge which would create a gap that a small pet could squeeze through.
- Both the top and the bottom of the safety gate mesh should have no slack. If there is slack in the bottom of the mesh, it probably means the bottom brackets are too close to each other compared to the spacing between the two upper brackets. To fix this issue, create equal spacing between the two upper brackets and the two lower brackets. To help you do this you could make your own spacer from a block of wood or shim, or we offer Wall Spacer Sets on our Store page.
- You can also tighten the gate by adding additional tension before locking the mesh in place. To do this, turn the roll of fabric (1/8 of a turn clockwise) to tighten the mesh by hand and then, while keeping the tension, lock the gate.
Retract-A-Gate is one of the tallest available with a mesh height of 34 inches. When the gate is locked, the mesh is held in place and will not retract out any further making it difficult to push down.
The mesh of the dog gate is thinly spaced which makes the gate difficult for dogs to climb over.
Most dogs are unable to jump over the gate unless specifically trained or encouraged to do so. If your dog can jump over a 3 feet fence or gate, you will need to find a taller dog gate or use a training aid to discourage your dog from trying to jump over.
The Retract-A-Gate’s mesh is made from a reinforced polymer composite that is both tough and non-toxic (does not contain Lead, Phthalate, Latex, BPA chemicals or formaldehyde). We are very concerned with these sorts of chemicals and are proud to be ahead of the curve in regards to eliminating them from all our products for dogs.
The mesh is composed of a very durable, yet see-through material which is UV and mildew resistant and in other applications this same mesh is used for truck tarps to hold down cargo.
Depending on the Retract-A-Gate model you intend to or have already purchased (either 52″ or 72″), your gate will fit openings UP TO a maximum of 132 cm or 172 cm. These maximums are the total distance (gate and brackets) that the baby gate can cover.
The height of the mesh on the retractable baby gate is about 87.5 cm and the total height to the top of the lock is just under 96 cm. You would need to ensure there are enough clearance space where the gate is going to be installed so that you can not only install the gate but also have easy access to the childlock mechanism. The gate also needs to sit on a flat surface for proper operation.
Next, you need to decide on where to install the wall brackets. These are Universal Brackets which means that all the brackets are identical. The brackets on each side are mounted at about 8cm and 78.5 cm off the floor and require about 6.5 cm wide flat surface to attach to (see the size of brackets in images above). Unlike most gates, there is some leeway to the height for where the brackets are mounted, especially on the reel side that holds the safety gate. This makes the installation easier.
When completely retracted, Retract-A-Gate only protrudes less than 9 cm from the wall. This makes it fairly flexible where you choose to install your wall brackets without the need to worry about the gate blocking the way. For example, for a typical doorway, you can choose to install directly within the doorway, or, in the event, you don’t have the 6.5 cm necessary to mount your Universal Brackets in the doorway, the brackets can also mount around the corner of the doorway, either on the door molding or on the wall as long as you do not exceed the maximum distance it can cover.
If there are baseboards/skirtings where you will be installing your Retract-A-Gate, you need to measure the height and thickness of your baseboard/skirtings to determine if you will need wall spacers and how many you would need.
Spacers are useful accessories to help you in your installation of the Retract-A-Gate safety gate. They can be purchased in packs of 10 pieces. Spacers are design to fit exactly the Universal Wall Brackets using the same translucent material. Each spacer is 3mm thick and are stackable to create the thickness you need.
Typically these are scenarios that spacers would be necessary:-
- Wall skirtings/baseboard that result in the opening of the Universal Brackets being partially blocked. Hooking the gate into the brackets becomes difficult or not possible at all when this happens. In this case, the spacers are used to displace the brackets away from the wall to ensure that the opening is not blocked.
- The opposite sides of the wall brackets are not parallel. This can happen if walls are not flat or in some cases, some brackets need to be installed on protruding surfaces such as skirtings. Spacers can be use to help level the brackets to be parallel.
- Not enough clearance at the top of the child lock knob for smooth operation. This can happen especially when gate needs the installed on kitchen cabinet where the protruding tabletop can get in the way. It can also happen when installing the gate on certain stairway where the hand railing can also block the childlock knob. To create the clearance, spacers can be use to shift the wall brackets outwards away from the wall until the blockages are removed.
Absolutely! A nice advantage of Retract-A-Gate Safety Gate is that it can be installed on a diagonal & work at pretty much ANY ANGLE, opening up numerous mounting options. This is just one of the many great retractable baby gate features which few if any other baby safety gates on the market have.
You can also diagonally attach Retract-A-Gate Safety Gate to a wall farther away from the top of the stairs in order to help keep it back the recommended 6 inches.
For the best security with an angled installation, the openings of the brackets should face away from the Retract-A-Gate.
You would need a measuring tape to confirm the distance of the area you intend to cover using the Retract-A-Gate. The distance should definitely be less than the maximum length of your gate you plan to get. Either 132cm (52″ gate) or 182cm (72″ gate). It is also crucial to determine if there are suitable places to secure the Universal Brackets to. |
The Smart Retract Retract-A-Gate is secured using 4 screw mounted Universal brackets. For installation, you would need a phillips or “cross head” screw driver for use with #6 size screws. Optional: An electric screw driver while not necessary can make installation even faster & easier. |
| PencilGet a pencil handy when you start to install your gate. You will need it to help mark locations for the Universal Brackets and drilling locations. |
| Spirit LevelTo ensure the gate is nice and taut, the 2 sets of Universal brackets on opposite sides of the Retract-A-Gate need to be parallel to each other. The spirit level is used to help achieve that. |
Screw anchors for use with holes drilled into concrete, bricks or dry walls have been provided as part of all Retract-A-Gates (Southeast Asia version). |
There are many alternative surfaces that the Retract-A-Gate can be mounted to. Some of the more common ones are listed below along with what you need to consider for that surface.
Bookcase or cabinet
You can mount the brackets to a bookcase only if the bookcase is stable (wall-mounted). You may need to put a backer board on the inside wall of the bookcase (or cabinet) if the wall is thin so that the screws have a minimum of 1 inch of solid wood to bite into.
If you wish to mount the Retract-A-Gate baby gate to a cabinet where there is a small counter top overhang, the wall spacers can be used under both the top and bottom brackets. The spacers should move the safety gate out away from the counter’s edge to provide enough clearance to mount the baby safety gate.
Brick, stone, concrete, or mortar
You will need appropriate masonry anchors which you can purchase at any hardware store. Simply take the screws that come with Retract-A-Gate to the store and have them size an appropriate masonry anchor for you. The screws we provide are 2 inches long. If you need to use shorter screws be sure to use #6 flat head screws and use the included finishing washers. Another option would be to fasten a board to the brick/stone/concrete/mortar using similar anchors and then attach the brackets to the board.
Fiberglass
We always recommend mounting the brackets to the support/stud behind the fiberglass as that will provide the best holding power. If there is no support then you need to use appropriate anchors or a backer board that will work with your fiberglass.
Vinyl siding on a house
You can attach the retractable baby gate wall brackets to the house siding as long as there is solid wood sheeting/boards underneath the siding (this is normally the case).
We ship internationally to most locations around the world. You can check out the list of countries on our shipping page here.
Yes, we offer free shipping to local addresses with a minimum spending. If your order is above $120, we offer complimentary door to door courier to all locations within Singapore, except the standard No-go zones or offshore islands.
See more on our shipping methods and policy here.
Express local courier – Deliveries will typically be made within 1-3 working days using either Aramex, Janio or Ninja Van Express services. Tracking the progress of your parcel is available to you online at aramex.com, janio.asia or at ninjavan.co. Service delays by the courier may however happen during peak seasons or outbreak situations, and it is not unusual to receive your package up to 5 days after courier has picked up from us. However, if you are concerned, please contact us if you have not received your items after 5 working days. We’ll help you take care of it.
International Shipping: For deliveries by DHL Express or FedEx, the delivery time is usually between 1 to 5 working days. Do note that delays in customs clearance is possible and delays due to outbreak situations like the recent Covid-19 may also affect delivery standards. This is dependent on the situation in different countries and is beyond our control. We also offer Aramex courier to Malaysia.
Yes, you can collect your order directly from our retail showroom. When you are carting out, simply indicate that you are doing self collection and you may drop by during our operating hours to pick up your order. We are open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10am to 4pm. Please note that our retail showroom is closed on Wednesdays, Sundays and public holidays.
For any online orders that are invoiced but not shipped out yet, cancellation will come with an administration charge of 15% of the order or S$10, whichever is higher. If an order has already been processed and sent out, cancellation will not be possible.
For standard local courier, you can track your parcel by using your tracking number on the courier website. Simply visit the courier website and input your tracking number available in your order shipping email into the tracking ID box. From there, you can check if your parcel is pending collection, at the courier sorting warehouse or pending delivery. If you have any other inquiries or face any issues regarding the status of your parcel or with delivery, send us a message through our contact form and we’ll happily assist!
For hygiene reasons, all goods sold are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Only products found to have manufacturing defects are eligible for exchanges.
Whether the reported issues is a manufacturing defect or not is to be determined at our sole discretion.
For any exchanges, the product must be returned to us within 3 days in original condition, unwashed and all tags attached. We suggest that you check all items right away after you receive it to avoid any contentions. Any faults reported after this will be subjected to individual suppliers’ warranty programs, and the service time varies between suppliers. The customer is responsible for the cost of return shipping if applicable.
Local import duties & charges pertinent to your country and state may apply for your shipment depending on where you reside. We strongly suggest that you check with the policies of your country to avoid unexpected charges.
It is important to note that while we do not collect Singapore GST for orders shipped internationally, it is possible that your country may apply additional taxes or/and duties to imports. Please check the policies of your country to avoid unexpected charges as we will not be liable for the handling of such charges.
Some items may not be imported into specific countries by law. Please find out the laws in your country before placing an order. Rejection of packages by customs will be treated as per order cancellation.
Smart Retract products are designed and manufactured by Smart Retract Inc. in the USA.
Smart Retract Inc. is based in Dubuque, Iowa. You can find out more about Smart Retract Inc. here.
We are an authorized distributor of Smart Retract products in Asia pacific.
Spring Breeze Marketing Pte Ltd is based in Singapore. You can find out more about us on our company website.
Absolutely! Retract-A-Gates retractable safety gates are on display at our showroom. Stocks are available for purchase directly at the showroom. You can visit us during showroom opening hours. Our showroom is easily accessible by train (walking distance from Marymount MRT Station) and by car (parking lots are available directly at the building).
If you need any advice on whether the gate can be suitable for you, be sure to take some photos of the area(s) you intend to cover with the gate(s) and take some basic measurements 1st before coming by.