Structures + Safety
Fitting a Gate Closer Video
A garden gate that's left swinging in the wind will do nothing to keep your pets contained or give your back garden any security. Plus, no one wants to be woken in the middle of the night by a gate banging in the wind. So now that you've used our step-by-step guides to build a garden gate, hang it and affix a latch, it's time we showed you how to keep it shut! Once you've finished here you'll know how to add a simple sprung gate closer that will keep pets in and pests out.
Time to complete the job: ½ an hour
You will need:
- Cordless screwdriver
- 2mm bit
- Sprung gate closer
- Pencil
- 1in screws
Step 1: Mark the gate
Hold the top of the spring in place, aligned with the very edge of the gate.Use the pencil to mark where the screws will go.
Make pilot holes for the screws.
Tip: Use a pilot bit that's about 1mm smaller than the screws you're using, to give the screws good purchase in the wood.
Step 2: Fit the spring closer
Screw the top of the closer in place.Line up the bottom of the spring with the edge of the gatepost. There should be a slight curve in the spring when the bottom is in place.
Drill pilot holes for the bottom of the spring.
Screw the spring in place.
Tip: A galvanised steel gate closer will weather well outside and last for years without damage.
Step 3: Create tension
Put the metal pins that come with the gate closer into place as below.Put one pin into one of the small holes at the bottom of the spring. It should go into the hole nearest the gatepost. The pin will hold the bottom of the spring in place and keep it from spinning around.
Using the small metal pole, turn the top of the spring slightly and then place the top pin in the hole nearest the gate. This will hold the top end in place and create tension along the spring.
Let the gate slam shut!
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