If you are having a wood fence put around your yard, chances are that you're going to have a gate to go with it. However, how do you know that the gate that your fencing contractor is building is high quality? Here are some things to look for when it comes to gate construction.
Interior Mounted Hardware
There are a few ways to position the hardware when installing a gate, and you'll notice that many fences have that hardware on the outside of the fence. While it is really easy to put hinges on the exterior where the gate pivots outward, it is not the only way to go about doing things. A good fencing contractor is going to put all that hardware on the interior of the fence, or the side that does not have the nice finish on it. In addition, this can be done regardless of which direction the gate swings open.
Steel Framing
Fence gates are prone to sagging over time when you are just using wood material to build it. That's why you want to build a fence that has a strong steel frame. This can be done by creating a metal frame that is mounted to the inside part of the gate door, which is then attached to a metal post buried in the ground behind the wood post.
Steel Posts
The gate and the posts are then attached to each other using metal hardware, which gives the wood gate superior strength that is going to stand the test of time and not sag. The latch mechanism should also be installed to a steel post that has been buried in the ground on the opposite side of the hinges, which gives you the ability to latch the gate completely and even put a padlock on it. When you combine the metal frame and the steel posts, it helps the fence remain upright since the strength is spread across the entire gate when the gate is closed.
The steel posts for the hinges and latching mechanism should both be installed deep into the ground so that it is beneath the frost line. If not, even the steel post is going to sag over time. The steel posts for the hinges and latching mechanism should also be secured to the wood fence as well to ensure that the gate forms a tight fit with the fence so that it looks seamless on the outside.
For more information, contact a local fence contractor.