Gates:

Making Your Own Gate - Size vs. Stability
Adding a gate to your fence adds both beauty and functionality. There are several methods for gate construction. For smaller gates less than 5’ in width, the typical construction will be to build the fence and "cut-out" the gate at the location desired. Proper post location is critical for this type of gate to achieve the proper gate size. (See photo diagram)

Steel Frame For Wood
Fence Supply recommends a steel frame for wood (SFFW) for gates over 5' in width and for all sliding gates. (See SLIDE GATES) The SFFW is constructed out of round galvanized steel for swing gates and square galvanized steel for slide gates. The SFFW will add strength and stability to your gate as well as ease of installation. Once we fabricate the SFFW for your gate, all you need to do is install the gate frame in the appropriate manner, (ie. hinges or v-track system) and attach the rails to the frame using our long TEK screws and then attach the pickets to the rails using your choice of nails or screws.

Hinges
There are several types of hinges available for your swing gate. The most common are the Strap hinges or the T hinges. These hinges are used primarily on smaller wood gates less than 5' in width and are placed on the outside of the pickets and attached with lags screw through the pickets and into the rails. These hinges allow the gate to open in the direction of the "finished" or picket side of the fence. Heavy industrial hinges (HIH) are available to be used in conjunction with the steel frame for wood gates and allow the gate to open to the "inside" or rail side of the fence.

Slide Gates
Slide gates are a popular gate solution when there is enough room to either side of the fence for this type of gate. Fence Supply recommends the SFFW with the V-track system for all slide gates. The V-track system consists of a v shaped track which attaches to your concrete base with drive anchors, two "V" wheel assemblies and "V" wheel boxes to ride on the V-track, and roller assemblies attached to the top of the gate posts for support at the top of your slide gate. Although the V-track system is not difficult to install, it is recommended that it be installed by an experienced installer.

Gate Post Considerations
An important part of any gate planning is the mounting posts. For swing gates, the larger the gate, the larger the posts should be and the deeper they should be set in the ground. Wood swing gates smaller than 5' in width can use the standard 2-3/8" galvanized pipe and should be set at a minimum of 3' in depth. Gates larger than 5' in width should use 2-7/8" or larger galvanized pipe and be set at 3' to 4' in depth depending on how large the gate is. Fence Supply recommends the 4" x 4" steel pipe for all sliding gate assemblies and these should be set at 3' to 4' in depth based on fence height.