Shop: Ornamental Swing Gates
More Information: Ornamental Fence System Overview
Step 1:
Check to make sure you have received the proper parts within 5 days of receiving your kit using your packing list enclosed with your shipment. You may access the material list for your size gate from its respective page.
Step 2:
Locate the position of the posts to prepare for digging. The "opening size" of your gate is the distance between the inside of the gate posts (Fig. A). The gate finish size will be smaller to allow for the hinges and latch. Since the hinges and latch types may vary the space allowed for them will vary. The only measurement you can trust is what we call the "opening size". Use this measurement to space the two gate posts. Measure across your opening on the ground and mark the ground indicating the edge of each post. A 16' opening gate would have two marks 16' apart. Now to better visualize where the post must go, draw the post on the ground. A 6" sq. post would require that you draw a 6" square with the edge of the post on your opening size mark.
Step 3:
Drive two wooden or steel stakes to be used to attach string line. These will be used as a guide to install your gate. You will be setting your gate posts to this string approx. 1/4" - 1/2" from this line. Stretch masonry string from one stake to the other. Make sure the masonry string is tight and free of obstructions. This string line will represent where your gate will be once installed. Adjust stakes and string line if necessary. (Fig. B)
Step 4:
Draw a circle around the gate post marks. The size of the circle, which represents the area to be excavated, should be larger than the post to allow for the proper amount of concrete (Fig. C). Multiply the diameter of the post at its widest point (diagonal on a square) by three and draw a circle with the post as the center using that calculation. If you are going to drill with an auger, simply mark the center of the drawn post marks to indicate the center of your auger. Now you have located the position of the holes to be dug.
Step 5:
Dig the holes straight down to a depth of 36" minimum to 48" maximum. The depth required depends on the frost line depth in your area and the size of the gate. The depth of the hole is critical in avoiding leaning posts and sagging gates. Use the 48" depth for wide gates over 96" wide or heavy gates over 100 lbs. A 42" depth works for nearly any gate in most areas. If you are not sure, dig deeper. You only have to dig the holes one time--if you do it right. On small diameter holes, 6"-9", you could be limited to a depth of 36", because you can't get tools into the hole to clean it out. That is fine, if you followed the guidelines set forth thus far. The post will be shorter than the depth of the hole, i.e. 36" deep hole with 24" of the post in it. This is not unusual since the post does not need to extend the full depth of the hole. A common error is to assume the hole only needs to extend the length of the post. Make the shape of the hole so that the diameter at the bottom of the hole is wider than the top diameter. This we call "belling" since it resembles the shape of a bell. This will anchor the post and help to avoid post heaving due to frost. Under no circumstances should your hole resemble a carrot shape where the top of the hole is larger in diameter than the bottom (Fig. D).
Step 6:
Fill hole(s) with concrete and "stick" the post into the wet concrete and plumb post with a level. Make sure your concrete consistency is not too wet or soupy. Concrete should be of a plastic-like consistency, dry enough so the post will not sink to the bottom of the hole. The gate post should NOT extend to the bottom of the hole; there should concrete under the post as well as all around it. You will want to leave the concrete level approximately 4-5" below grade or the ground level especially in areas which freeze. Next back fill with dirt. Replumb post. When the ground freezes it can cause the concrete footer to "heave" if you fill the concrete to the top of the hole. Leave the post(s) alone for approx. 24 hours or a sufficient amount of time for the concrete to harden.
Step 7:
At this point it is helpful to have some scrap pieces of wood to help keep the gate in position while hanging. You will stack the wood up to keep the gate at the height off the ground that you want it to be. Install the hinges and the latch, making sure that the gate is level. If you are hanging the gate right after setting the posts, make sure to keep the blocks under the gate for at least a day. Avoid using the gate during this time to give the concrete time to cure.