Gates & Access

A gate gets used dozens of times a week, so it has to work. The difference between a gate that delights and a gate that drags is rarely the gate itself — it is the post it hangs on, the hinges it swings on and the latch it meets. Get those three right and the gate takes care of itself.

Pedestrian gates take the most punishment. They need a post set deeper than fence posts, hinges rated well above the gate's weight, and a latch with enough adjustment to cope with seasonal timber movement. Self-closing hinges and child-resistant latches are worth specifying wherever kids are around.

Driveway gates span wider and weigh more, which multiplies every mistake. Sliding gates need a level track or cantilever hardware and clear run-off; swing gates need posts with serious footings and room to open without clipping the footpath or the car. Automation can be added later if posts and power are planned for now.

Hardware choice is a durability decision. Galvanised or stainless hinges, ring latches, drop bolts and D-handles each suit different gates — and near the sea, the grade of the metal matters as much as the design. Cheap zinc fixings tea-stain and seize within a couple of winters by the estuary.

Matching matters on established properties. A new gate on an old fence should copy the paling profile, spacing and height so it reads as one fence, not a patch. On new builds, the gate is the handshake of the property — worth a little extra thought on proportions, handles and how it sounds when it shuts.

Common questions

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Port Hills Fencing is based in Redcliffs and works across Christchurch and Canterbury. Find the business listing and directions on the contact page.

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