Gate Fitting FAQs

What Size Gate Spring Do I Need?

Most gate springs on the market are a standard 8-10 inches long (200-250mm). This standard sizing is used for small to medium gates, but may not be heavy duty enough for larger or heavier gates, and may affect the close.

If your project involves a larger or heavier gate, it might be worth looking into more heavy duty gate springs, or other gate fittings that might be more appropriate for your intended use.

How to Stop a Gate Latch Rattling?

Not only is the sound of a gate rattling in the wind irritating, but it can pose as a damage risk to the fixings if they're constantly moving around or coming loose.

Luckily the reasons that a gate might rattle aren't usually serious, so fixing this is relatively simple a project. Some of the common issues and their solutions are:

• Loose screws - checking and tightening any loose screws is one of the number one ways to stop your gate rattling. Usually, all this takes is a quick adjustment with a screwdriver, and even if it isn't a complete solution if other elements are at play, it's sure to help.
• Rusty hinges - rusty hinges can often creak and cause unnecessary rattling. A simple solution here is to clean and add some sort of lubrication like WD-40 to prevent this problem.
• Sagging gate - if your gate is sagging and dragging on the ground, it can cause unpleasant noises. This could mean that your hinges need adjusting or gate needs bracing to provide additional strength and allow the gate to close properly.
• Gaps in your gate - gaps in parts of your gate can cause rattling, especially in the wind - if any parts of the gate door hit the post thanks to lacklustre measuring, this can cause annoyances. The easy solution here is to pack in any gaps with foam tape. Available in a range of sizes and colours, this is a cheap and easy fix if remeasuring and fitting your gate is not an option!
• Gate latch/spring - you should ensure your gate is closed when not in use, and an easy way to make sure this is the case is to add a latch or gate spring. The latch will help create a lock between your gate and the frame or posts in which it sits, and a gate spring will pull the gate closed when there is no resistance in the opposite direction. This will ensure that the rattling stops if it is caused by an open gate crashing against another surface.

How Much Does it Cost to Fit a Garden Gate?

The cost of fitting a gate does depend specifically on the material used for the gate, and the circumstances for the fitting. For example, fitting a metal gate into brickwork is likely to cost between £150-£200, whereas installing a wooden gate into two concreted timber posts could be in the realm of £300-£500.

It's best to get a quote from a specialist for the particular type of installation you require and see if this fits within your budget.

For more help with gate fittings, get in touch with our team, who are always happy to offer expert help and advice.