Installing Gate Stops on Swing Gates Installing gate stops on a new or old gate is one of the least expensive and most valuable improvements a fence contractor can make. Costing only a few dollars, simple-to-install gate stops have a simple function – to prevent the gate from opening or closing too far. Over-extending a gate may cause extreme damage to gate, adjacent fence, hinge(s), or gate closer. Installing an inexpensive gate stop is a cheap insurance policy against gate damage. Think of most residential or commercial doors, and you’ll quickly visualize wood or metal trim installed on the inside of door jambs to prevent the door from closing past its proper point. Likewise, doorstops are installed to prevent swing doors from crashing into adjacent walls, or opening too far and ripping doors off hinges. If these weren’t there, hinges would break, fasteners shear, and possibly doors split. Who doesn’t have a doorknob imprint on drywall from a missing, or poorly adjusted door stop? According to Chad Hoover with Hoover Fence Company, the practicalities of installing a gate stop can be challenging. “We often don’t have adjacent walls to simply mount to, hinges do not come with built-in stops, and the wind outside can be fierce – ripping gates off hinges each year. Fence contractors and gate installers will need to consider mounting a gate stop on concrete surface if one exists or setting a post in the ground specifically to use as a gate stop.” For many in the fence industry, Hoover says aluminum self-closing hinges, polymer self-closing hinges, stainless steel self-closing hinges, spring-activated gate closers, and hydraulic gate closers constitute a good deal of the budget to install a high quality self-closing gate. Many of the fence specialty gate hardware items require gate stops in the open and close position not only to function properly, but also to maintain warranty coverage from the manufacturers. Solutions do exist for fencers though, according to Hoover. He offers some insight. For wood fence gates, ripping down a cedar or matching wood picket and tacking to the inside door jamb, at least on latch post, can be an extremely inexpensive solution over a gate being closed too far, ripping lag screws out of gate. Some wood gate latches may have an inherent gate stop built it, physically preventing gate from closing too far. Wood fence gate stops are available specifically for wood gates which install quickly with screws. For chain link gates, gate holdbacks and chain link fence gate stops can serve two useful purposes: to prevent the gate from opening too far (this will usually force hinges to pivot and need adjusting) and to hold the gate in the open position to allow pass-thru without the gate closing. Chain link hinges are sturdy, but usually rely on wrap-around, bolt-on methods for installation. For vinyl swing gates, vinyl fence gate stops specifically designed for vinyl gates are available in materials matching popular polymer vinyl gate hinges; some even have built-in gate handles. Ornamental steel swing gates and ornamental aluminum swing gates, gate stops are plentiful, since flat surfaces are usually involved. Simple face mount, jamb mount, and separate post mount gate stops can prevent damage to gates and hardware when installed properly. “Simply put,” says Hoover, “ installing inexpensive gate stops for the open and closed position on swing gates is a ‘must-do.’” Hoover Fence Company is a family owned and operated business based in Ohio, serving customers across the United States. Learn more about their company and products at www.hooverfence.com .
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FENCENEWS.COM | MAY 2022
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