Best Gate Hardware for Your Fences

The primary types of gate parts and accessories you’ll need are latches, hinges, handles
and cane bolts. These pieces are made from a range of materials, including stainless steel, wrought iron, aluminum, bronze, black iron, copper, brass and more.

Note that if you have a double swing gate, you’ll need different
hardware than you would need for a single gate. Double swing gates open from the center and close using a cane bolt assembly. Single gates, by contrast, latch directly to a fencing post, so they don’t require a cane bolt
assembly. Make sure you choose the right types of latches for your type of gate.
Plus, double swing gates typically need
more hardware overall, since they have two panels rather than just one.

You may not notice it initially, but many gates start to sag over time. While it’s best to prevent sagging before it starts, you don’t necessarily have to install a new gate.
Instead, you can find a gate kit that contains the hardware you need to prevent or fix the problem.

An anti-sag kit is a preventative measure and cure rolled into one. Anti-sag devices consist of two brackets mounted at diagonal points across a gate, connected by a cable. Look for a gate kit that contains zinc-plated parts to prevent rust.

• Kits include cable, mounting brackets, turnbuckle and screws.
• Place blocks underneath the gate to prop it up while you install your anti-sag unit.
• Open and close the gate a few times immediately after installation to make sure it’s working smoothly.
• Toe blocks are small pieces of wood that are secured to the ground beneath the unhinged end of the gate to prevent the gate from sagging.

Personalize your gate
hardware to meet both
your family’s needs and your home’s style.

• Black gate hardware looks great on white, light wood and black metal gates.
• Silver gate hardware has a silver-colored finish but can be made from many different metals. This color looks best against dark wood, silver metal and dark painted gates.
• Choose hardware with a rust-resistant finish to protect it from the elements. Fade-resistant finishes are available as well and are particularly desirable on ornamental pieces.
• If you have small children, look for a latch that’s child-resistant. This is especially important if the gate opens into a pool area. Another option is to add a second latch high up on the gate out of the reach of young children. Even if they manage to get the lower latch open, they won’t be able to reach the higher one.
• Gate hinges with return springs close doors automatically, saving you from having to remember to do it every time. Many of them feature adjustable torque.