## Page 1 GateFrames REV 08.2026 > Figure: Color photo of a double-leaf wood-and-black-metal swing gate installed between posts at a driveway. Brick walls, fencing, concrete driveway, and landscaping are visible. FIELD INSTALLATION MANUAL # SWING GATE # INSTALLATION GUIDE Clear dimensions. Solid footings. Smooth movement. > **! ORDERED WIDTH = INSIDE FACE OF POST TO INSIDE FACE OF POST** > With two 4 in posts, outside-to-outside = ordered opening + 8 in. | 01 | 02 | 03 | |---|---|---| | VERIFY THE OPENING | BUILD THE FOOTINGS | HANG + ADJUST | > Figure: White “GF” logo mark. ## Page 2 GateFrames READ THIS FIRST 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 CRITICAL MEASUREMENT # Measure between the posts. GateFrames orders use the clear opening between the inside faces of the two gate posts - never the outside faces. > Figure: Field-layout diagram titled “FIELD LAYOUT EXAMPLE - TWO 4 in POSTS.” A house is at left and a neighbor’s fence at right, with two vertical posts between them and a driveway below. Orange dimension arrow between the inside faces of the posts is labeled “ORDERED OPENING - INSIDE TO INSIDE” and “EXAMPLE: 15 ft 0 in.” A gray arrow also spans between the posts. Each post is labeled “POST 4 in.” Blue arrows outside each post are labeled “4 in.” Curved swing-path arcs extend into the driveway. Labels include “HOUSE,” “NEIGHBOR’S FENCE,” and “DRIVEWAY.” > > ORDERED OPENING = CLEAR SPACE BETWEEN THE INSIDE FACES > WITH TWO 4 IN POSTS: OUTSIDE-TO-OUTSIDE = ORDERED OPENING + 8 in > **✕ DO NOT MEASURE THIS WAY** > A 12 ft outside-to-outside layout with two 4 in posts leaves only 11 ft 4 in between the posts - exactly 8 in too narrow. > **811 BEFORE ANY DIGGING** > Call 811 and wait for underground utilities to be marked. Confirm the entire work area is clear before excavating. ### BRING TO THE SITE - [ ] Order confirmation showing the ordered opening width - [ ] Tape measure, 4 ft level or laser, string line, stakes, and white marking paint - [ ] Excavation tools, crushed base rock, and concrete selected for site conditions - [ ] Wrenches or sockets, screwdriver, automotive grease, gloves, and a 2 in wedge - [ ] At least two capable adults for lifting and hanging ### CONFIRM BEFORE STARTING - [ ] Permits, frost depth, soil, drainage, wind exposure, and local code requirements - [ ] Buildings, fences, columns, landscaping, and slopes do not interfere with either leaf - [ ] Gate operator, latch, stop, and conduit locations are planned before concrete is placed - [ ] Custom order drawings take priority whenever dimensions differ from this general guide GATEFRAMES.COM (408) 260-5145 | Free technical support 02 / 08 ## Page 3 GateFrames LAYOUT 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 01 LAYOUT # Mark the opening and protect the swing path. Build the post layout from the ordered opening width. Measure only between the inside faces of the post locations. 1. Find the ordered opening width on the GateFrames order confirmation. 2. Mark the inside face of the first post, then measure the exact ordered opening to the inside face of the second post. 3. Keep at least 2 in between each post and any wall, fence, column, house, or other adjacent object. 4. Trace the full movement of every leaf from fully closed to fully open. Check vehicles, grade changes, landscaping, roof overhangs, and other obstructions. 5. Mark the final post-hole outlines with white paint only after the complete layout has been verified. > Figure: Site-layout diagram showing a house at left, neighbor’s fence at right, driveway below, and swing-path arcs. A blue horizontal dimension between inside post faces is labeled “YOUR GATE WIDTH” and “Ex: 15'8".” A dashed red horizontal dimension is labeled “Ex: 16'.” Blue arrows on each side indicate required clearance of “2"” between posts and adjacent objects. A small inset drawing shows a person marking a post location; caption: “Mark location for posts with white paint.” > > Caption below diagram: “Mark both inside faces, confirm the entire swing path, and preserve room outside the posts for concrete, latches, and operator hardware.” > **TWO 4 in POSTS** > **OUTSIDE-TO-OUTSIDE = ORDERED OPENING + 8 in** > Example: a 12 ft order requires 12 ft between the inside faces and about 12 ft 8 in outside-to-outside. ### LAYOUT CHECKPOINT - [ ] Inside-to-inside marks exactly match the order. - [ ] At least 2 in exists beside each post. - [ ] Both leaves clear the ground and every obstacle through the full arc. - [ ] Post centers, conduit, drains, latches, and operator equipment do not conflict. - [ ] Utility markings are complete and still visible. - [ ] The work area is ready for excavation. GATEFRAMES.COM (408) 260-5145 | Free technical support 03 / 08 ## Page 4 GateFrames FOOTINGS 1 — 2 — 3 — 4 — 5 — 6 02 EXCAVATION # Dig solid footings and prepare drainage. Use 24 x 24 x 36 in per post as the recommended minimum; enlarge for soil, load, wind, frost, drainage, and local code. > Figure: Field excavation illustration titled “FIELD EXCAVATION VIEW - UPDATED TO 18 in+.” A worker holds a shovel beside a post-hole excavation. A circular enlarged detail shows a hole labeled “18+” across its width and “36+” vertically. Rock is shown at the bottom with an arrowed callout: “Use crushed base rock at the bottom.” > > Caption: “Field illustration. 18 in+ diameter and 36 in+ depth. GateFrames recommends 24 x 24 x 36 in minimum unless an approved site design requires larger.” > **RECOMMENDED MINIMUM PER POST** > # 24 x 24 x 36 in > WIDTH x LENGTH x DEPTH > > - Excavate only after utilities are cleared and the layout is final. > - Increase hole size and concrete volume when soil is soft, wet, disturbed, expansive, or poorly compacted. > - Single-swing gates place the entire load on one hinge post and usually require larger footings. > - Place compacted crushed base rock in the bottom for drainage and a stable post seat. > - Keep the post centered, plumb, and protected during concrete placement. ### INCREASE FOOTING SIZE WHEN ANY OF THESE APPLY | SOFT / FILL SOIL | HEAVY LOAD | WEATHER | |---|---|---| | Loose, disturbed, expansive, sandy, or saturated ground. | Single leaf, wood infill, wide span, gate operator, or wind forces. | High winds, frost depth, runoff, or freeze-thaw exposure. | > **! DO NOT GUESS AT STRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS.** > When site conditions are uncertain, use a licensed contractor or engineer and follow all local requirements. GATEFRAMES.COM (408) 260-5145 | Free technical support 04 / 08 ## Page 5 GateFrames — POST ELEVATION 1 2 **3** 4 5 6 **03** **GRADE + POSTS** # Find the highest point. Set both posts from it. Find the absolute highest elevation in the full swing path - open, closed, and everywhere along the arc - then establish both post heights from that point. **FIELD ELEVATION METHOD - MEASURE THE ENTIRE SWEPT AREA** > Figure: Cross-section drawing of uneven ground between two gate posts. A person uses a level along the full swept area. Blue dashed horizontal line extends between the post tops; red dashed line follows a lower reference. A magnified circular callout identifies the “Highest point.” with a vertical dimension of **2"** between blue horizontal lines. Below are drawings of an arched double gate and a flat-top double gate over curved ground. The arched gate post-height dimension is **61"**; the flat-top gate post-height dimension is **73"**. Dashed line beneath each gate indicates clearance. Preserve at least 2 in beneath the gate at the highest point, keep both post tops level to each other, and raise both posts equally when additional ground clearance is required. **ARCHED GATE** # 61 in plus the highest-point elevation **FLAT-TOP GATE** # 73 in plus the highest-point elevation **BEFORE CONCRETE SETS:** confirm the ordered opening, both posts plumb in both directions, and post tops level to each other. Raise both posts equally when the terrain requires more than the minimum 2 in ground clearance. GATEFRAMES.COM (408) 260-5145 | Free technical support 05 / 08 ## Page 6 GateFrames — HINGES 1 2 3 **4** **5** 6 **STEPS 4 + 5** # Install and prep the hinge hardware. **TYPICAL MINIMUM WAIT BEFORE HANGING** # FAST-SETTING: 2-4 HOURS | STANDARD: 1-3 DAYS > Figure: “HINGE ORIENTATION AND SPACING” diagram. Left drawing shows a gate post labeled vertically “GATE POST,” with top and bottom hinge assemblies. An arrow and hand indicate removing/handling a nut for the top hinge. Labels: “Top Hinge” and “Bottom Hinge.” Right drawing shows side spacing between a gate post and gate; red dimension reads “~4".” Circular detail shows the post face to hinge-bolt center dimension, labeled “2 5/8".” The hinge bolt drawings include threaded bolt shafts, nuts, and hinge barrels. Use the supplied lower assembly with one nut. For the upper hinge, remove the second nut, pass the bolt through the post, reinstall the nut from inside, and tighten. **CRITICAL DIMENSIONS** # 2 5/8 in post face to bolt center # ~4 in post-to-gate spacing **BOTTOM HINGE** Thread the supplied one-nut hinge into the lower post location, then set its projection. **TOP HINGE** Remove the second nut, pass the bolt through the post, reinstall the nut from inside, and tighten. **GREASE THE BARRELS AND INSERT THE BALL BEARINGS** > Figure: Three-step illustrated sequence separated by vertical lines. Step 1 shows a person putting on gloves, labeled “WEAR GLOVES.” Step 2 shows automotive grease being packed into a downward-facing hinge barrel; grease container label reads “CAR GREASE,” and the caption reads “PACK WITH AUTOMOTIVE GREASE.” Step 3 shows a gloved finger pressing a ball bearing upward into the hinge barrel, labeled “PRESS IN THE BALL BEARING.” Arrows indicate grease and ball-bearing insertion upward. Use standard automotive grease - roughly two grease-gun pumps or a generous hand-applied coat. With gloves on, press the ball bearing into the grease inside each downward-facing hinge barrel until it stays lodged at the top. GATEFRAMES.COM (408) 260-5145 | Free technical support 06 / 08 ## Page 7 GateFrames — HANG + ADJUST 1 2 3 4 5 **6** **06** **FINAL ASSEMBLY** # Hang, seat, align, and test the gate. **TWO-PERSON MINIMUM LIFT** Support the gate continuously until both hinge barrels are seated and the hardware is secure. **FIELD HANGING, SEATING, AND LEVELING SEQUENCE** > Figure: Two people lift and support a double gate between gate posts. The left gate leaf is being lowered onto adjustable hinge bolts; downward arrows indicate seating. A lower detail labels the vertical member “GATE POST” and shows a close-up of the hinge barrel over the bolt, with a red label “1/8" gap.” A second sequence shows a hand using a wedge beneath the gate while adjusting the top hinge nut; a level rests on the gate. Arrows show wedge placement/lifting and nut adjustment. Center both gate barrels over the 3/4 in adjustable hinge bolts, lower evenly, and gently swing the supported gate until both hinges are fully seated. **SEAT + CHECK THE GAP** A gap of up to 1/8 in between the welded washer and the bottom of the barrel can be normal. Swing carefully until both hinges are seated. **ALIGN DUAL LEAVES** Support the center, loosen only the top hinge nuts, lift with a 2 in wedge until the leaves meet level, then tighten every nut. **MANUAL MOTION TEST** The gate should stay aligned and move smoothly before a latch or operator is commissioned. GATEFRAMES.COM (408) 260-5145 | Free technical support 07 / 08 ## Page 8 GateFrames — FINAL CHECK 1 2 3 4 5 **6** **CLOSEOUT** # Final inspection and field quick reference. Complete this check before regular use, latching, or gate-operator setup. **INSTALLATION CHECKLIST** - □ Actual clear opening matches the ordered opening inside-to-inside. - □ Both posts are plumb in two directions and their tops are level. - □ Concrete has cured per the manufacturer and site requirements. - □ Hinge-bolt centerlines are set equally at 2 5/8 in from the post face. - □ Grease and a ball bearing are installed in every hinge barrel. - □ All nuts are tight after final alignment. - □ At least 2 in ground clearance exists through the complete swing path. - □ Dual leaves meet level and maintain a consistent center gap. - □ Each leaf moves smoothly by hand with no binding or collision. - □ Latch, stops, safety devices, and operators follow their own instructions. **KEY DIMENSIONS** | Item | Dimension | |---|---| | ORDERED OPENING | inside-to-inside | | ADJACENT CLEARANCE | 2 in minimum | | TYPICAL FOOTING | 24 x 24 x 36 in min | | GROUND CLEARANCE | 2 in minimum | | HINGE BOLT CENTER | 2 5/8 in from post | | HINGE SPACING | about 4 in | | HINGE BOLT | 3/4 in | | SEATING GAP | up to 1/8 in | | POST TOP - ARCH | 61 in above high point | | POST TOP - FLAT | 73 in above high point | | LIFT CREW | 2+ capable adults | **INSTALLATION RECORD** ORDER / PROJECT ____________________________ ORDERED OPENING ____________________________ ACTUAL INSIDE-TO-INSIDE ____________________________ GATE STYLE ____________________________ DATE ____________________________ INSTALLER ____________________________________________________________ **NEED HELP ON SITE?** > Figure: QR code. Adjacent text reads “GATEFRAMES.COM,” “(408) 260-5145,” “Free technical support,” and “SCAN TO VISIT.” GATEFRAMES.COM (408) 260-5145 | Free technical support 08 / 08