Sizing Your Deck Gate and How to Measure
The Opening. There should be no obstacles in the gate opening. Make sure there are no objects to hit when the gate swings. The opening's width at the top should be within 1/2" of the width at the bottom, or your gate will hang really funny because your gate posts are a bit tilted!
For a One Panel Gate. Order a gate 3/4" less wide than the opening, and make sure to measure where the opening is tightest. For the height, make sure you can clear the ground or floor by 1-2",and that your gate can fit under any post caps, if they exist.
For a Two panel Gate. Make sure that the width of the two panels, when added together, are 1" less wide than the opening. You need these tolerances for your hinges, for your panels to swing, and for any slight tilting that may occur in the gate posts over time.
Gate Height and Gate Sides. Take into account that the sides of the gate will be 1" longer than the height of the gate that you buy. Height is measured from the bottom of the footrail to top of the handrail.
Solid posts. Gates must hinge to a 4x4 post or to a similar structure that is well-anchored into the ground or deck. We recommend a 4x4 because the strap hinge needs a surface a few inches across for the base of the hinge.
For One Panel Gates:
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Need guidance on child safety features? In general, air gaps should be under 3 inches. More information at Consumer Reports Buying Guide.
For Two Panel Gates:
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DA, Amazon Store
"I was able to read the figures and pictures very clearly. And, every step is broken down, and you are prompted to record important measurements for cutting, which you can take to your garage where your tools are. We built the gate, and it looks very good."
Steven Davis, Amazon Store
"The slats really sink into the cross pieces and that they are reinforced as you build the gate making the gate really strong and easy to build - the project took me just one afternoon. I suspect it goes quicker if you build more of them!"
C Reid, Google Reviews
"We ordered online. They confirmed via email it was exactly what we wanted and then w eek later we got our gate and it looked perfect. Couldn't ask for anything more. "