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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are gate hinges different from door hinges?
A gate is heavier, wider, exposed on both faces and hung from a post that moves.
Its far edge is frequently unsupported.
Weather attacks it from every direction.
A door in a frame has none of that.
The loads and conditions are simply not comparable.
That is why gate hinges are a separate class rather than larger door hinges.
Why do strap hinges extend so far across the gate?
To distribute load over a greater length.
A gate's weight acts at its centre and creates a large turning moment.
Doubling the width roughly doubles that leverage.
A long strap reduces the force at any one fixing.
It also stiffens the gate against sagging.
That combination is what the length is actually achieving.
Why has my gate started to sag?
Usually the post rather than the hinge.
A post leaning under sustained load drops the gate's far edge.
The gate then drags and will not latch.
It also loads the hinges unevenly.
Post size, depth and foundation matter more than the hinge specification.
A gate racking out of square because it lacks bracing is the other common cause.
Are adjustable hinges worth it?
On gates, generally yes, because gates move.
Posts settle and ground conditions change seasonally.
Timber shrinks and swells through the year.
A gate hung perfectly in summer frequently needs correcting later.
Adjustment turns that into a few minutes' work.
Without it, correction means re-hanging the gate entirely.
How can a gate be lifted off its hinges?
Where lift-off hinges are used with pins in the same orientation.
The gate can then simply be lifted upward.
Opposing the pins prevents it.
So do capped pins and anti-lift provisions.
An outward-opening gate with accessible pins is a common weakness.
It is worth checking on any existing gate as well as specifying on new ones.
What corrosion specification is needed?
One suited to the exposure, with every component in the same class.
Hinge, pin, fixings and post fittings should all match.
The assembly fails at whichever component is weakest.
Mixing classes can accelerate corrosion rather than prevent it.
Coastal and agricultural environments are particularly aggressive.
Galvanised and stainless are both used, and the fixings are what people forget.
How many hinges does a gate need?
Two as a minimum, and three on tall or heavy gates.
A third hinge reduces the load on each and stiffens the gate.
It also spreads the moment over more of the post.
Hinge positions matter as much as quantity.
Placing them further apart reduces the force at each.
Manufacturers publish gate weight and width limits per hinge size.