How to Fit Hinges, Bolts and Latches to Your Gates and Doors

Proper installation of your garden gate and door furniture will ensure that they open and close efficiently, and remain safe and secure for years to come.

To help you to successfully fit hinges, bolts and latches to your gates and doors, here’s our useful guide…

Tools you will need:

• Screws
• Hinges
• Latch
• Security bolt
• Tape measure
• Spirit level
• Drill
• Screwdriver

Before you begin…

Before you fit your hinges, bolts or latches, it is important to check that the gate is facing the right way. On most gate designs there is a front and a back. This is determined by the gate supports. If your door or gate has diagonal supports, these should be on the inside of the gate, with the good side facing out. These supports will also help you to identify where the hinges should be fitted…

Important Tip: The bottom of the diagonal support is pointing to the hinge side of the gate. It is crucial to the support of the gate that the hinges are fitted to the correct side.

Fitting instructions:

Here are some easy to follow fitting instructions for gate hinges, bolts and latches. These instructions are based on our top selling GATEMATE products.

GATEMATE offer superior quality gate furniture and you can find a wide selection of their gate, door and fencing accessories in our Hinges, Latches & Locks category.

How to fit a Tee Hinge

Tee hinges are commonly used on garden gates and side gates.

1. Place the hinges in the desired position on your gate, ensuring the strap is horizontal. This can be achieved by finding the centre of the horizontal supporting beams and drawing a pencil line as a guide. You can then fix the hinges into place with screws.
2. Position gate in opening and support, allowing correct clearances between gate and post.
3. Fasten the hinges to the post or frame with screws.

How to fit a Tower Bolt:

Tower bolts are strong and durable and ideal for keeping gates shut and doors secure.

1. Place bolt assembly into the desired position on the door or gate and secure with screws.
2. With the bolt in its engaged position, align the staple section onto the door or gate frame. Mark the holes using your pencil and then secure with screws.

How to fit a Gate Latch

A gate latch allows you to open and close a gate from both sides and is usually fitted with the decorative plate on the street side of the gate.

1. Drill a 12mm hole in required position for the spindle. The spindle should allow the latch to overlap on to the gate frame by 40- 50mm. Insert spindle into hole.
   Note: The spindle may need to be cut down depending on the thickness of the gate.
2. Install the ring gate handles on either side of the gate and secure mounting plates with screws.
3. Slide the keep at least 50mm along the latch or until it is entirely on the gate to ensure that the latch is level when resting on the keep slot. Fasten with screws.
4. Position and fasten catch plate to the gate frame, ensuring that the latch rests securely in hook.