One of the high points of my home is that I have one of the few backyards (as small as it may be) that have a 6 foot fence.  Having such a high fence does not subject me to the neighbor’s headlights in their alley driveway. The only problem with this fence is that the previous owners put a horrible gate in.  It was obvious that they had the fencing contracted out but the gate would never close in the cold, never open when it was warm, and looked like my first bird house in Cub Scouts.  I needed a gate that would not swing open with a light wind and keep my dog in my yard.  In my research I figured on three things: It cannot be time consuming, it would need to match my current fence and it has to be secure in any weather.

What I found was the “Adjust-A-Gate” that allowed me to have a secure fence at a fraction of the cost.  It is a metal frame that can fit the size of my opening and allowed me to put on any fencing I wanted.  As son as I purchased the frame I unpacked it and covered it in two coats of Rustoleum’s Clear Coat.  24 hours later it had dried and I was ready to go.  The directions are pretty easy and straight forward so I won’t go into great detail about the assembly.  

A few things to keep in mind is that the gate is heavy.  If you are placing the hinges on a post that is not anchored into the ground with cement or secured properly to a hard surface, you may want to do so before attaching the gate.  I used two carriage bolts with washers to secure the gate post to the fence post.  I also pre-drilled the holes for the hinges.  Since I did not want the post to crack and I read in the instructions that I had to use a wrench to screw the hinges into place I wanted to make securing the hinges easy.  I used a 5/8 inch spade drill bit to do the drilling, but make sure you are completely level horizontally.  Also, depending on the size of the gate kit you purchase, the hinges may be smaller or bigger, so plan accordingly.  From this point forward keep the frame on the hinges.  I made that mistake and had to take it all apart to start over.

The kit requires that you use 2”x4” wood for the top and bottom of the frame.  This is so that you can attach the front of the gate to the frame without compromising the metal frame.  I opted for pressure treated wood so that it would warp less and last longer in the harsh Wisconsin weather.  When cutting, remember that the chemicals used for this green tinted wood can be dangerous.  I recommend gloves, dust mask, and eye protection.  Experts state that these chemicals used could cause cancer or be generally bad for your health until it has been exposed to the weather for a few months or polyurethaned.  I chose the later.  

Once the 2x4’s are secured using the screws that come with the kit, you can now put on the front.  I chose 3”x7/8” cedar.  Cedar can withstand the elements and matched my fence.  I know that in a few years that the new cedar will match my graying fence.  I used nails that were specifically designed for exterior applications.  When I went looking for the nails I made sure that they were 1/2” shorter than the 2x4 and the cedar as well as a small head.  By using this type I could counter sink the nail and not go through the other side, subjecting anyone to a possible tetanus shot. If you put the nails in at an angle you should not need to worry about any of the boards falling off. These outdoor nails will last longer than a basic nail and will not rust, ruining the wood face.  Another tip, I used a nail to space the cedar boards to allow for swelling in the summer or during humid/rainy days. If you have access to a compressor and finishing nail gun, I recommend using that to cut down your time, just remember to shoot them in on an angle.  Remember to take your time on this project, nothing is worse that a rushed job because it will show.

The added bonus of this gate is that a small tension cable comes with the kit that prevents sagging.  Everything needed to place the thin cable and tighten it are in the kit.  All you need to do is loop it through the hooks and tighten the clamp to the end and you are finished. Then use a level to make sure your gate is flush, and if not, twist the adjuster attached to the cable accordingly.  Lastly, affix the latch and latch post once everything is level and your gate is ready to go.  And if you are asking, “How strong is it?” It is strong enough to hold an eight-year-old hanging on it, despite my repeated attempts to let his father reprimand him.

Now, to finish it off, all you need to do is paint or stain if needed and enjoy your new “gated community.”  You can also leave it untreated as you see above.  Currently, Home Depot is the local place to buy the “Adjust-A-Gate” but you can find various sized online, including Target; just not in stores.

Total time on project: 4 1/2 hours (without Pneumatic Nailer)