Hardware is not included with your gate because so many styles are at your local store! They are easy to install. ..how?.. Strap hinges lie flat when your gate is closed. A portion of the strap hinge is attached to your mounting post, and then the long strap is screwed into the handrail and footrail of your gate. Do not buy dummy strap hinges - they are decorative only.

The most important aspects for a successful installation are:

• The post to which you hinge should be on a true vertical. If it is only slightly "off kilter", you can adjust the distance of the hinge pin from the post to account for minor tilt. If the post, above, was tilted to the right near its post cap, for example, you could adjust for this by having the bottom strap hinge installed slightly to the right of the top strap hinge.


• You can test how level your gate is installed, by placing a level along the top of the handrail, as you mount your hinges.


• For gates over 32" wide, we recommend that there be at least 3 screws screwed into the post. Some strap hinges only have two.


• If the latch post is not parallel to the mounting post, it is still generally best to mount the gate as level as possible. However, in some installations, you may choose to have the gate slightly off-level in order to "trick the eye". The goal is to have the gate fit in well with its surroundings!


• We recommend Cabot Exterior Wood Protectors/Preservatives. If painting, please prime using Kilz or Bulls Eye Exterior Primer first. We personally think stains are much preferred, because select grade cedar with no knots is a pretty wood. But, our customers also paint them white to match their existing decking.


• To help your gate close, you can mount a gate spring to the underside of your gate. You mount one end to the bottom side of the gate (about 3-7 inches away from the post, depending on the spring length and stiffness). The other end affixes to some point behind the gate. This is an easy $3-10 solution to have your gate "close by itself". Our gates, being light, do not need expensive springs. A small one will do. Two door gates, in particular, benefit from the use of springs.


• On the latch side, behind the gate, you can also screw in a piece of 1x1 or 2x2 pressure-treated lumber, the same height as your gate, to form a doorstop. When the door closes, it will give a nice solid thump, as it reaches the stop.