How to install a gate
How to install a gate
Installing a garden gate into a fence can instantly enhance the appearance of your homes garden. Whatever the reason for your wooden gate installation, you need to ensure your gate functions smoothly (opens and shuts without a glitch), therefore it’s important you install your gate accurately. This will also make sure that your gate is durable and lasts you a long time. If you’re erecting a new fence and plan to include a new gate, it’s advisable to install the gate and its post first and then build the fence. However, if you are replacing an existing gate, be sure to measure the exact size you need.
Materials you’ll need:
Installation procedure:
Step One – Create a gate frame
Before installing a new gate in your garden, you should create a gate frame which is adequately secured to your wall, existing wooden fence or concrete fence posts. A gate frame will provide a strong and sturdy structure for your hanging gate and guarantee its longevity.
Make sure your gate frame is level and fitted with accurate size specifications. We recommend your gate frame is 20mm wider than your proposed gate as different weather conditions will either make timber expand or retract, therefore, to avoid any problems down the line, allow 20mm of space between the gate and the gate frame. You should use a spirit level to ensure the frame is level and is a perfect fit for the gate frame you’ve built.
You can also add a 2x1 timber baton to form a door stop the hanging gate from swinging too far against the hinges, once it has been attached to the frame.
Step Two – Fix the hinges to the gate
The next step is to secure hinges onto your new gate. When selecting your hinges, we recommend using galvanised hinges as they do not rust and last longer.
It is important to fix the hinges in the right position to enable your gate functions correctly. Dependant on the fate your using, it might not have fittings, but you can easily work this out. You need to check the gates diagonal cross brace to work out where the hinges should be fixed. If there are two diagonal cross braces on your chosen gate, then the hinges can be placed either side. This may depend on what is more logically or aesthetically pleasing. However, if there is only one diagonal cross brace beam, for example the beam is running from the top-left corner to the bottom-right corner then the hinges should be fixed on the right side of the gate, and vice versa.
Position your hinges on the gate and allow the end of the hinge to lever with the outside of the gate. Once positioned, (usually the top and bottom horizontal brace), drill in your hinges using galvanised screws.
Step Three – Hang your gate onto the frame
Top Tip:
Use 2”x1” (50mmx25mm) timber to sit the gate onto to make sure there is plenty of ground clearance underneath. This ensures there is no obstruction when opening and closing. Also remember to make sure the gate is evenly spaced.
The next step is to drill the hinges onto the gate frame to hang the gate. Before drilling everything together, make sure the gate door closes and opens swiftly. You can check this by screwing just two screws per hinge before fixing all the holes.
Step Four – Drill the gate latch in place
The final stage to fixing a garden gate is to fix the gate latch. Latches come in various sizes and dependant on the type of gate you’re working with you can choose a closing latch for smaller gates or a ring latch for larger ones. For security reasons, we advise placing the latch in the centre of the gate to make it out of reach for any trespassers and assemble a security bolt for extra protection when the gate is locked.
