Chain Link Gate Hinges & Closers Guide: Types, Sizes, and Installation
This chain link gate hinges closers guide covers every type of hinge and gate closer used on chain link fencing — what each does, how to choose the right size, and how to fix the most common problems. Whether your gate is sagging, won't close properly, or you're building from scratch, the information below will help you choose the right hardware and fix any issues.
Gate Hinges for Chain Link Fencing
Gate hinges carry the weight of the gate and determine how it swings. For chain link fencing, the standard hinge types are:
- Pintle and eye hinges — the most common style for chain link fencing. A bolt-type pintle threads into or mounts on the gate post or wall, and an eye on the gate frame drops over it. Available in adjustable versions where the pintle position can be changed after installation to correct misalignment or a sagging gate. Adjustable hinges are essential to fix sagging or misaligned gates without removing and resetting posts.
- Wrap-around hinges — the entire hinge wraps around the gate post for maximum grip surface. Used on heavier gates where a simple bolted pintle wouldn't have enough surface contact. Galvanized steel is the industry standard for residential and commercial gates; stainless steel is best for high humidity or coastal areas to avoid rust.
- Heavy-duty strap hinges — for oversized or extra-heavy chain link gates. The longer strap arm distributes the gate's weight over more of the gate frame, reducing stress concentrations. Heavy-duty options are necessary for larger or high-traffic gates where standard hinges would eventually fatigue and fail.
- 180 degree hinges – the gate can swing flat against the fence to keep it out of the way. The 180 degree range of motion allows for more clearance through the gate and prevents the gate from obstructing the entrance.
Hinges must support the weight of the gate for proper operation — choosing undersized hinges is the most common cause of gate sag. Choosing hinges involves matching components to the gate frame size and the gate's overall weight.
Gate Closers for Chain Link Fencing Options
Gate closers automatically pull a chain link gate shut after use. They're required by code on pool gates in most jurisdictions, and are valuable anywhere a gate must reliably close on its own — yards with children or pets, commercial properties, and security installations.
- Spring-loaded gate closers use a tensioned spring that pulls the gate back to the closed position. Spring loaded gate closers withstand harsh weather conditions and provide reliable self-closing functionality. Tension is adjustable via a hex key — you can tune how hard the gate pulls closed and whether it closes slowly or quickly. Gate closers should prevent slamming and dragging issues, both of which are addressed with spring tension adjustments.
- Self-closing hinges combine the hinge and closer into a single unit. Self-closing hinges are made from durable aluminum and nylon — they don't rust, making them ideal for poolside and coastal chain link fencing installations. Self-closing hinges or hydraulic closers provide a controlled close without extra hardware. Self-closing hinges can be adjusted for closing force with a hex key, and self-closing hinges help prevent gates from remaining open accidentally.
Do You Put Hinges on the Gate or Post First?
Install hinges on the gate post first, then hang the gate. Here's why: setting the pintle positions on the post before the gate is in place lets you measure and space the hinges precisely, check that they're plumb with each other, and adjust without the gate's weight working against you.
Once both pintles are set on the post at the correct height and alignment, lift the gate and drop the eyes over the pintles. This two-person job is much easier in this order than the reverse. After hanging, check the gate swing and adjust the pintle height or angle as needed to correct any misalignment.
What Is a Cowboy Gate in Farm Fencing?
A cowboy gate (also called a wire gap gate or Wyoming gate) is a simple farm gate made from wire and wooden posts or pipe sections, tensioned against the fence line. There are no hinges — the gate is held in place by looping wire at both the top and bottom around a fixed post and released by slipping the loops off. It's the most basic and lowest-cost gate option for agricultural chain link or wire fencing where appearance and traffic frequency don't demand a hardware-equipped gate.
Should Chain Link Posts Be Set in Concrete Footings?
Yes for gate posts and terminal posts — always. Gate posts carry the dynamic load of a swinging gate in addition to the fence tension, and they need the stability that concrete footings provide. Line posts in good soil can sometimes be driven rather than set, but gate posts set without concrete will eventually lean as the gate load cycles over time.
How to Close a Gap in a Chain Link Fence Gate Alignment
A gap at the latch side of a chain link gate is almost always caused by a sagging gate or a leaning gate post. Fix the root cause, not just the symptom:
- Adjust the hinges. On adjustable hinges, loosen the pintle nuts and shift the gate up on the hinge pin — this brings the latch side up and closes the ground gap. Re-tighten the nuts once the gap is corrected.
- Add a tension cable or anti-sag kit. A diagonal steel cable or turnbuckle kit running from the top hinge corner to the bottom latch corner of the gate frame pulls the latch corner up and corrects the sag.
- Replace worn hinges. Hinges with worn pivot points allow downward movement that grows over time. Replacing worn hinges stops the progressive sag.
- Plumb and re-set the gate post if the post has leaned. No amount of hinge adjustment fixes a post that has moved — the post is the foundation everything else depends on.
Shop Chain Link Gate Hardware Options at jakesales.com
Find gate hinges, self-closing hinges, spring gate closers, and all chain link gate hardware at jakesales.com. We carry residential through commercial-grade hardware in galvanized and stainless steel.