GATES

Installation of gates

Placing of a gate

A gate comprises a mobile part (the barrier) and a fixe part (the posts). Gates can be installed in different ways, but should always respect the following:

  •     Posts must be solidly anchored in the ground and not able to move.
  •     Posts should be properly aligned.
  •     The distance between posts must be correct.
  •     The look good, the gate must be installed level.
  •     When installing a gate, take account of any ground slope and if possible level the surface.

Placing of a "French" gate

The hinges and latch are mounted by default on the barrier and the posts.
Placing at a framework:

  •     Lay the barrier and posts down on the soil, with the hinges and latch facing up.
  •     Place the gate with the hinge mounted on the barrier positioned in the pivot mounted on one of the posts (i.e. as if the gate was hanging on its hinges).
  •     Place the second post (the closure post) on the other side of the barrier to the hinge post.
  •     Join the post and the barrier by screwing them together, using two horizontale planks. You can now determine the position for all of the stakes, and their spacing.
  •     Dig the holes and position the gate there.
  •     Backfill the holes with earth, then finish with ready-to-use cement after mixing it with water.
  •     Wait several days to ensure the concrete has set hard. You can then hang the two leaves of the gate, after which the gate is ready to use.



IPlacing a "Charming" or "Robust" gate with English hinges

To install a gate with English hinges and locks, you will need two posts 15 x 15 cm with a diamond head finish. Decide in advance whether you want the gate to close between the posts, or to close onto the face of the posts. This is essential in order to space the posts correctly.

Follow the instructions below:

  •     The hinges are fixed in the same way, regardless of whether the gate will close between the posts, or onte the face of the posts. Ensure that the upper hinge is positioned horizontally and in the middle of the rail of the barrier. The lower hinge is adjustable and should be placed just above the bottom rail of the barrier.
  •     Drill the holes for the hinges using a 22 mm drill. Ensure that they are drilled strictly horizontally. Hit the hinge with a hammer to puss it into the hole untill it reaches the desired distance between the post and the barrier. Measure (and mark) the hinge to the achieve the best result.  
  •     Determine the correct distance between posts and dig two holes, each 50 x 50 cm wide and sufficiantly deep that the post will be easily driven in and secured. The dept of the hole will depend on the soil. Earth that is soft, sandy or high in clay needs a deeper hole than a stony soil.
  •     If the posts are really too long, in rocky soil, you can shorten them a little. Allow for the heigth of the barrier (the top of the barrier should be parallel with the base of the diamond on the 15 x 15 cm post and the bottom hinge to mount the barrier must be 3 to 5 cm above ground level). Be careful that the posts are sufficiently deep into the ground to ensure their solidity. Around 1/3rd of the total length of the post should be buried in the ground.
  •     Place the posts in the holes, uprigth and evenly positioned, and wedge with small stakes to ensure they don't move. With the second post, take care that is is the same heigth and facing the same direction as the first one!
  •     Fill the holes with gravel and stones, then pour cement all around. Allow it to harden for several days before removing the small stakes and then hang the barriers on the hinges.  
  •     You can unsrew the bottom hinge such that the barrier will rise sligthly. This can be used if the ground rises a little bit on the side that the barrier opens onto. For a double gate, ensure that the middle uprights are the same heigth above the ground.  
  •     If the barrier is hanging correctly, you can install the closings: *on a single gate there is a clasp and a spring, verify the heigth of the spring and the hook. * on a double gate there is a reversible closing. * the universible bolt must reach into the ground when extended, and be sufficiently high to be clear the ground when raised.
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