We have two of these easy close gates installed, and love them. After using them for 18 months or better, I think I can safely give an honest opinion about this gate. One is installed between the dining room and kitchen, and the other at the bottom of stairs. The one at the kitchen was the first one ordered and installed and gets used several times a day, it is in the main pathway through the house. the second one came missing a few parts, almost like a previous person lost parts, and order the gate, took what they wanted, and sent it back, but Amazon took care of it with no issues. I have similar things happen at Wal-Mart and other stores, so I can't really fault the gate for this. With 5 people in the house capable of opening the gate, even our 5 year old, these gates get a LOT of use. They are holding up very well. The kitchen gate is starting to develop a bit of a squeak at certain times, it is not an every time thing. I guess it might depend on humidity or something. Very rarely the latch on the kitchen gate will stick a bit as well, but it is not a big deal. After it being opened and closed so much, and all the dust from construction in the house, it is amazing it doesn't stick all the time. I am sure I don't need to mention the sticky little hands that get all over it as well. The gate at the bottom of the stairs has not developed any of these minor issues, but it does not get used as much. Very easy to open and close. Our 5 year old, that is small for her age, can open it with no issues. There is no need to hold the latch when closing it, just push it closed. If the gate is closed to hard, it will jump across the latch and swing open the other way. I guess that is what happens when you have older kids that can get a bit of an attitude at times. Still the plastic is not cracking or breaking from such forceful closings. I have a hard time understanding why people knock stars off for installation. the gate is very easy to install. I did not even look at the directions. It is pretty self explanatory how it goes. The latch side is separated a bit, because this is what helps keep tension on the wall to keep the gate in place. there is a band holding it somewhat together, I would not cut it until the gate is installed. If the band has slipped, or gets removed before installation, it is not a big deal. having the band there may help in a narrower doorway, it might make it a bit easier to go in, and you are also not fighting with the gate wanting to swing on you while you get the adjustments tightened up. I did not use the sticky pads, or screws to install the gates, and they are for the most part staying put. The kitchen one is a painted doorway, that gets a bit sticky in humid weather, so the gate is just kind of stuck there, and does not move. The steps one is a varnished doorway, and slides a bit, but that seems to happen more when the kids try to hang on it. Not sure the PSI of tension the gate places on the wall to stay in place, but I can put it back in place if I forget it is there and trip over it and knock it out, without loosening things back up. If the ate is going between posts and not a doorway, make sure the post are sturdy though. In my opinion, if the tension from the gate moves your posts, the posts need fixed, that is not something I would want my kids climbing or leaning on. If you have your own tools, use your wrench and not the one supplied. It is capable of doing the job, but like most tools that come with stuff, it is not the best. It is thin and bit in to my hand pretty good, and is short, which takes more force to turn the adjustment nut. The lock that keeps the gate from swinging certain directions or not letting it open at all tends to fall out pretty easily. This is not a deal breaker for us. The one at the bottom of the steps can only open the one way anyways, and the one for the kitchen does not really matter, although I like it opened a certain way. If you need this, I would use some adhesive to hold it in place, or a punch and hammer to dent the metal a bit, which should also hold it in place. The bar at the bottom can trip you up if you are not careful, or not paying attention. But like other changes to a familiar place, this is bound to happen for a bit. the bar is not difficult to step over, and most people can do it in the normal stride, but the bar is there. In conclusion this is a great gate, and if I had need for more, this is what I would buy. Anything that can hold up this long to our active, rambunctious family deserves a high rating.