How to Hang a Picket Gate
Picket gates are a classic and attractive way to finish off a picket fence. Installing a picket gate has many of the same fundamentals as hanging larger gates, but scaled for lighter weight, smaller dimensions, and different hardware. Below is a clear, practical guide — with links to your picket fencing resources — so you can follow along and see matching products.
Tools & Materials You’ll Need
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Your picket gate — check out your selection of matching options in your Garden Picket Gates range
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Gate post — use a sturdy treated timber or concrete post
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Pedestrian Gate Kit with Auto Catch (includes all required fixings):
• 2 × 12″ medium duty T hinges (galvanised or black epoxy finish
• Gate Auto Catch (galvanised or black epoxy finish)
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Postcrete (typically 1–2 bags)
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Post saver sleeve (for timber post bases)
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Spirit level
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Tape measure & pencil
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Drill / driver
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Packers or temporary supports
Step 1: Set the Gate Post
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Dig a hole at least 2 ft (≈ 600 mm) deep to ensure stability.
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Add a layer of gravel for drainage.
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Slide a post saver sleeve onto the base of a timber post (if using timber) to protect it from ground moisture.
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Position the post upright, then fix it using Postcrete, checking periodically with a spirit level to ensure it is plumb.
Step 2: Pre-Fit the Hardware to the Gate
Before lifting the gate:
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Affix the two 12″ medium duty T hinges — one near the top and one near the bottom.
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Attach the auto catch / flicker latch to the gate side.
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Do not attach the catch keep yet — that should wait until after the gate is hung, so the latch aligns perfectly.
Step 3: Offer the Picket Gate Into Position
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Use packers or supports to hold the gate at the correct height and keep it stable.
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Allow for ground clearance so the gate doesn’t drag.
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Maintain a 3–5 mm uniform gap between the gate edge and the post from top to bottom.
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Align the top of the gate with the finish line you intend for your fence.
Step 4: Attach the Hinges to the Post
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With the gate held steady, fix the top hinge to the post, ensuring it is level.
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Then secure the bottom hinge.
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Open and close the gate to test that it swings freely and doesn’t catch.
Step 5: Fit the Auto Catch Keep
Once the gate is hanging correctly:
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Swing the gate closed and mark where the catch keep should sit.
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Fix it precisely so that the flicker latch engages smoothly every time.
Step 6: Final Checks & Adjustments to your Picket Gatte
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Test the gate several times (open, close, latch) to check smooth operation.
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Ensure fixings are secure.
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Check that the gate remains plumb and the gaps remain consistent.
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If the gate is wooden, apply preservative, stain, or paint for weather protection.
Related Products & Links
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How to Build a Picket Fence guide — your cornerstone post for picket fencing
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Garden Picket Gates — matching gate range
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Pedestrian Gate Kit for Picket Gates — handy kit option including hinges, catch, and fixings
For more inspiration and expert advice, see the Royal Horticultural Society’s guide to building fences and gates or browse BBC Gardeners’ World garden gate ideas for extra design inspiration.
Final Thoughts
Fitting a picket gate is a straightforward job when you use the right hardware and follow these simple steps. By setting your post securely, attaching all hinges and latch parts before hanging, and only fixing the catch keep once the gate is in position, you’ll achieve a smart, long-lasting finish.
If your planning a full picket fence installation, your How to Build a Picket Fence guide is the perfect companion.
At Clarke Fencing, we’ve been supplying fencing, gates and landscaping materials across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and the wider East Anglia area for over 40 years, with trusted products and practical advice to help you get the job done right.
