I'm not going to lead you on, gates are a tough one.  Gates are the only workable part of a vinyl fence therefore they are the only reason we ever get a "repair call."  We have come up with some sound solutions to minimize those "repair calls."  I'd like to be able to say we never get a repair call but unfortunately I can't. In 2008 we built some 600 gates and installed over 500 of them and we took less than 30 repair calls on gates.  In the fencing world I don't know of anything more frustrating then a gate that doesn't work properly.

MOVEMENT or SAG are the two reasons for any gate unhappiness. Movement can be caused by the latch or hinge post settling, this concern is addressed when those posts are set.  Sag is just that- sag.  Any gate hanging on a hinge post has a tendency to "fall away."  If it moves even a 1/4 inch the striker won't catch now you'll have to lift your gate up so it latches.  We address the sag issue in how we build our gates as well as how they get installed.

OUR GATES:

• Our standard gate opening is 42-48 inches and all of our gates are made to the opening in which the posts are set.
• All gates are made to slope even if its 1 degree.  Trust me it makes a difference you can see.
• Because we custom build your gate we can put an ornamental gate with a privacy fence.
• We use steel hinges, a steel lock-latch kit that can lock/unlock from either side, and all gates come with a turn buckle made of 3/8 inch aviation cable which when tightened will bring the bottom of the gate up so the striker latches.
• All standard gate hinge posts are 1 foot longer (they go into the ground 3 feet) and get a steel sleeve inside for extra rigidity and strength.
• All double gates or single gates wider than 5ft use a solid steel post powder coated to the color of the fence.
• All double gates come with a wind brace kit, a 4ft- 5/8inch drop rod, and even a wheel kit if desired.

This view is from the back. Our double gate with steel posts, wind brace kit, 4ft drop rod, turn buckles and a wheel.	This view is from the front.  We swing our double gates out therefore the only hardware that shows are the steel hinges and part of the lock/latch.