Sharp design, great bed but maybe too sharp! Ouch.
It works. This bed seems to be every bit as good as the other happy reviewers have mentioned. There are some gripes that I didnt seem to come across that I feel are important drawbacks to the design of this bed. Also, there are some suggestions on how to combat some of shortcomings in the research and development department; especially when young ones safety are considered. If you have a minute, please read over my many observations of this bed.
Installation /
Took just over an hour with a power/tool on a VERY low setting. The included hex wrench didnt work to tighten a single bolt, it came with rounded edges, and was essentially factory striped. So, you should expect to be searching your toolbox for 4 mm hex tool. Some of these bolts have many turns before becoming tight. Seriously consider purchasing 48 appropriately sized lock washers. DO NOT OVER/TIGHTEN ANY BOLT, as it causes major stress on the shape and their tiny tack/welds. (Common sense, I know, but take special care. This product seems more pliable than most)
Instruction Manual /
Take some time to really examine the instructions. They are drawn very well, and the dimensions are represented perfectly; if not a little tough to see detail in. The pages are large, but some of the detail is still a bit too close together to tell exactly what is going on at a glance.
The Slide /
The slide is large, and sturdy. The on the slide reverberates, well, like a big piece of . It can be loud if there is a heavy/footed stomping involved. Otherwise, its a good indication when the children are being active, and not horrible to the ears.
I am glad they decided to use rounded tubes for the rail for the slide, because in the short time that it has been installed my 6/yo niece smash her chin on the slide rail because she was climbing up the slide with socks on. She was completely fine, but it triggered my overprotective/father instinct to scan for other potential dangers. Which brings be to the reason that my review can not be five stars, and potentially the loss of another star if there are future injuries that become serious.
NOTE /
Honestly, there are some major dangers presented by this product that may or may not lead to some sort legal action in the future. (not by me) So please continue to read my observations, and make an informed decision on your purchase.
Angular Framing /
My biggest gripe about this bed is the sharp angles. My little guy just got this bed for his 4th birthday, and he loves it LOVES IT! But the first morning, he woke up the house after rolling over and cracking his shin on the frame. A bruise formed later about 4 inches long and two toothpicks wide. Rounded tubing would still hurt, but the edge on the half inch square framework around the bed is a little on the sharp/side.
Make some pool noodle purchases with some colored zip/ties and get creative, or functional, but consider covering a few of the locations.
The Squeeze Point /
The two areas that are of MAJOR concern are the angles the square framing presents at the top of the slide where the bed opens for the slide entrance. The sharpness of the corners here are not kid friendly. ANYTHING would be better than what is here. Slice a tennis ball/racket ball/pool noodle, tape some bubble wrap, or glue an egg carton something, because after the first midnight headbutt to that corner is going to make for a long night. My son likes to drop at the edge of beds and the couch, and he nailed the left corner with the back of one leg. A little cut formed from that one, but when he grabbed his kneed and rolled backward pain, he crack his head on the angled headboard/footboard area. Ouch! Right? So the noodles went on. Zip/ties and black tape, and not another problem. Except that getting in and out underneath the bed conked a few noggins, but only resulted in some monkey/bumps.
Slide Quieting /
I used scrapbook foam with peal off adhesive backing and cut a bunch of pieces to stick on the support beams that are attached to the bottom of the slide. I placed some longer pieces (5 in by 1/2 in) under the rails when attaching them, and then tried to covered the surface of each support beam under the slide. That eliminated the CLANG of the from hard footfalls. The from the slide has a small arch to it, and the center of the slide is the highest point. Like the slide was a flag attached at the 4 corners with the wind blowing from underneath. To keep the rumble from reverberating, all you have to do is stack a couple layers of foam to meet up with the slide on the three center/most beams. Just enough to make contact at all times at a few points, and that should essentially hold the vibrations still. Too much, and you risk creating speed bumps on the slide too early in its life.
Conclusion /
Any kid that had seen this bed, loves this bed. For good reason too, but if the overprotective parent in you is considering a more safe alternative, then your going to wind up paying double what this bed costs. This is well made bed, with all things considered, it just has some scary corners. The corners are as sharp as cabinet doors. What kid doesnt feel safe to flop on a bead? A set of cheap plastic rounded end/caps that fit over the high traffic corners would have been a nice addition from the manufacturer. But after some of my own improvements this bed is aming, and did I mention the children ALL LOVE IT! Im a little jealous myself.
Sharp design, great bed but maybe too sharp! Ouch.
It works. This bed seems to be every bit as good as the other happy reviewers have mentioned. There are some gripes that I didnt seem to come across that I feel are important drawbacks to the design of this bed. Also, there are some suggestions on how to combat some of shortcomings in the research and development department; especially when young ones safety are considered. If you have a minute, please read over my many observations of this bed. Installation / Took just over an hour with a power/tool on a VERY low setting. The included hex wrench didnt work to tighten a single bolt, it came with rounded edges, and was essentially factory striped. So, you should expect to be searching your toolbox for 4 mm hex tool. Some of these bolts have many turns before becoming tight. Seriously consider purchasing 48 appropriately sized lock washers. DO NOT OVER/TIGHTEN ANY BOLT, as it causes major stress on the shape and their tiny tack/welds. (Common sense, I know, but take special care. This product seems more pliable than most) Instruction Manual / Take some time to really examine the instructions. They are drawn very well, and the dimensions are represented perfectly; if not a little tough to see detail in. The pages are large, but some of the detail is still a bit too close together to tell exactly what is going on at a glance. The Slide / The slide is large, and sturdy. The on the slide reverberates, well, like a big piece of . It can be loud if there is a heavy/footed stomping involved. Otherwise, its a good indication when the children are being active, and not horrible to the ears. I am glad they decided to use rounded tubes for the rail for the slide, because in the short time that it has been installed my 6/yo niece smash her chin on the slide rail because she was climbing up the slide with socks on. She was completely fine, but it triggered my overprotective/father instinct to scan for other potential dangers. Which brings be to the reason that my review can not be five stars, and potentially the loss of another star if there are future injuries that become serious. NOTE / Honestly, there are some major dangers presented by this product that may or may not lead to some sort legal action in the future. (not by me) So please continue to read my observations, and make an informed decision on your purchase. Angular Framing / My biggest gripe about this bed is the sharp angles. My little guy just got this bed for his 4th birthday, and he loves it LOVES IT! But the first morning, he woke up the house after rolling over and cracking his shin on the frame. A bruise formed later about 4 inches long and two toothpicks wide. Rounded tubing would still hurt, but the edge on the half inch square framework around the bed is a little on the sharp/side. Make some pool noodle purchases with some colored zip/ties and get creative, or functional, but consider covering a few of the locations. The Squeeze Point / The two areas that are of MAJOR concern are the angles the square framing presents at the top of the slide where the bed opens for the slide entrance. The sharpness of the corners here are not kid friendly. ANYTHING would be better than what is here. Slice a tennis ball/racket ball/pool noodle, tape some bubble wrap, or glue an egg carton something, because after the first midnight headbutt to that corner is going to make for a long night. My son likes to drop at the edge of beds and the couch, and he nailed the left corner with the back of one leg. A little cut formed from that one, but when he grabbed his kneed and rolled backward pain, he crack his head on the angled headboard/footboard area. Ouch! Right? So the noodles went on. Zip/ties and black tape, and not another problem. Except that getting in and out underneath the bed conked a few noggins, but only resulted in some monkey/bumps. Slide Quieting / I used scrapbook foam with peal off adhesive backing and cut a bunch of pieces to stick on the support beams that are attached to the bottom of the slide. I placed some longer pieces (5 in by 1/2 in) under the rails when attaching them, and then tried to covered the surface of each support beam under the slide. That eliminated the CLANG of the from hard footfalls. The from the slide has a small arch to it, and the center of the slide is the highest point. Like the slide was a flag attached at the 4 corners with the wind blowing from underneath. To keep the rumble from reverberating, all you have to do is stack a couple layers of foam to meet up with the slide on the three center/most beams. Just enough to make contact at all times at a few points, and that should essentially hold the vibrations still. Too much, and you risk creating speed bumps on the slide too early in its life. Conclusion / Any kid that had seen this bed, loves this bed. For good reason too, but if the overprotective parent in you is considering a more safe alternative, then your going to wind up paying double what this bed costs. This is well made bed, with all things considered, it just has some scary corners. The corners are as sharp as cabinet doors. What kid doesnt feel safe to flop on a bead? A set of cheap plastic rounded end/caps that fit over the high traffic corners would have been a nice addition from the manufacturer. But after some of my own improvements this bed is aming, and did I mention the children ALL LOVE IT! Im a little jealous myself.