Gate Installation

A gate that hangs correctly and stays that way, rather than sagging within a year

A gate puts more ongoing strain on its supporting posts than any other part of a fence line, and it's the single most common fencing element to fail prematurely — sagging, dragging on the ground, or refusing to latch properly — usually because the posts weren't substantial enough for the job in the first place.

Every time a gate is opened, its full weight leverages against the hinge post, and that repeated stress, thousands of times over a gate's life, is what makes gate posts fundamentally different from a standard fence post in terms of what they need to be able to withstand. A post that's perfectly adequate for holding a fence panel in place can be entirely inadequate as a hinge post, which is why gate posts are generally set deeper, in a larger concrete footing, or specified in a heavier section timber or metal than the rest of the fence run. Beyond the posts themselves, correct gate installation depends on getting the hinge type suited to the gate's weight and width, hanging the gate with enough clearance to swing freely without dragging on the ground or catching on the frame, and fitting a latch or lock that aligns correctly when the gate is closed — a gate that's slightly out of alignment when hung will only get worse as the posts settle and the hinges take on wear over time. Whether it's a simple garden gate matching an existing timber fence, a driveway gate needing to carry significant weight and width, or a decorative metal gate as part of railings, the same underlying principle governs every installation: the posts and hinges have to be specified for the gate's actual weight, not just for what looks proportionate.