D&D Technologies

A timber gate is only as good as the fixing into it. A small hinge with four screws into end grain will pull out; a strap or T-hinge distributes the load along the rail, into more of the frame and across more fasteners. That is why gate hinges look different from door hinges, and it is the single most important thing to get right on a wooden gate.

Strap and T-hinges

Strap hinges run along the gate rail and are the traditional choice for a boarded gate. T-hinges put the long leaf on the gate and a short plate on the post, which suits a gate hung on a timber post or a wall. Both come in regular and heavy duty weights — heavy duty for anything close-boarded, tall, or wide, because a solid timber gate is much heavier than it looks.

Traditional or contemporary

The two styles are about appearance, not strength: traditional patterns have the shaped, tapered ends associated with older joinery, contemporary are straight and squared. Both are available in the same load classes, so choose on looks and pick the weight on the gate.

Butterfly and decorative

Butterfly hinges are the double-tapered pattern for lighter gates and doors where the hinge is part of the design. The decorative T-hinge is the same idea in a T layout.

Anti-sag and springs

Timber gates sag — it is what timber does. The anti-sag kit braces the frame diagonally and takes the droop out, and is much cheaper than rebuilding the gate. Gate springs are stocked where a timber gate needs to close itself, and the drop rod holds a leaf of a double gate. These are listed under gate stops and accessories.

Fixing

Use coach screws or bolts into sound timber, not the shortest screw that will reach, and never fix into end grain if you can fix into a rail. Pre-drill hardwood.