How to Attach a Wrought-Iron Gate to a Wood Post

Limit the size of a wrought-iron gate on a wood post.

In a plan to beautify your property, hard work can pay off in one season in the garden or by painting clapboards or trim. Some projects, such as a wrought-iron fence, may take longer. If you have a wood fence, start by replacing the gate; bolt gates that come with posts attached directly onto fence posts on either side. If your gate comes with only a box of hardware, however, you’ll have to hang the gate on wood posts until the budget allows the purchase of more fencing.

Things You'll Need

• Post-hole digger
• Shovel
• Fluid or digital level
• Plumb line
• Concrete mix
• Gravel
• Wheelbarrow
• Bricks or cement pavers
• Saw
• 2 pressure-treated fence posts, 4-by-4
• 2 wrought-iron gate hinges with screws
• Drill with bits
• Screwdrivers

Instructions

Posts

1. Dig two post holes down to the frost line in your area, and put 3 inches of gravel in the bottom of each. Position posts the width of the gate plus the width of a hinge, plus the size of the catch or clamp used to secure the gate.

2. Mix a sack of quick-setting concrete in your wheelbarrow and fill the holes about two-thirds of the way.

3. Set the posts into the holes and work them into the cement until each one stands straight up with a flat side facing in toward the gate. Brace the posts with bricks or cement blocks to keep them upright, and allow the cement to dry overnight.

4. Add fresh cement to the post holes with fresh cement in the morning, if needed, to fill or compensate for shrinkage during the drying process.

Hang the Gate

1. 

   Line up the top hinge on a plumb line.

   Snap a plumb line down the center on the inside of one post. You’ll mount your gate hinges on this line.

2. Attach the hinges to the gate. They might attach with bolts or clamps. Because gates vary in size and hinges vary in design, follow directions for specific procedures.

3. Raise the gate upright, with the hinge anchor plates against the post with the center line. Slide some bricks or pavers under the gate to help support it at the height you want to mount it; most garden or entry gates swing 3 or 4 inches off the ground.

4. Hold the anchor plate against the post on the center line and mark the holes. Pre-drill pilot holes before attaching the plate with screws, as pressurized wood is hard. Check to see that the gate is hanging straight after putting in one screw.

5. Remove the supporting bricks and attach the bottom hinge, pre-drilling pilot holes before attaching screws.

Finish the Gate

1. Attach the gate latch. Again, consult the directions. Your latch might screw into the gate or clamp around it with bolts.

2. Swing the gate against the post with the latch engaged, to find the proper location for the catch -- then, attach the latch to the post.

3. Cut the posts on the end of the post to match the gate. Top the posts with caps, if desired, to protect the grain against moisture.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a friend help you wrangle the gate to keep it straight as you hang it.

• Wrought iron is a traditional material, but aluminum weighs less and is less expensive.

• Existing fence posts may just be chemically treated softwoods. Use pressure-treated wood or exterior-grade engineered woods for the strength needed to hold up a heavy wrought-iron gate.

• Check with your local building inspector for setback and other local requirements before installing a fence or gate.

• Wear eye protection while using power tools or using a saw.

• Don’t scrimp on your post hole. Frost lines may be as deep as 4 feet, where winters are long and cold. Piers that are not set deep enough will result in heaving posts and crooked gates.

References

• Fence Depot: Wrought Iron Fence Installation Manual
• Amazing Gates: DIY Gate Installation Help Center
• Texas Iron Fence and Gate Co.: Entrance Gates