Vinyl Gate Hardware vs Wood Gate Hardware

So, why can’t I just use the cheap wood gate hardware for a vinyl gate?

Great question. You can cut corners and use inexpensive wood gate hardware to hang your vinyl gate, but why would you want to do that?

Many fence contractors in town use the less expensive wood gate hardware expecting the same results as the specifically design hinges for vinyl gates. Why are there so many problems with those gates? Read on below for the answers.

Vinyl Wraps Around Two Faces

Vinyl Gates are built from manufactured vinyl extrusions.  Wood gates are very heavy and susceptible to warpage, cracking, and splitting, the vinyl gates have clean crisp lines, without the issues of the wood gates.

Vinyl gate hardware attaches on two faces of the vinyl post. This gives the screws a better bite and more holding power. Since the vinyl gates are lightweight, top and bottom black stainless steel hinges work well.

Wood Hardware Designed for Strength

Wood gate hinges are designed to carry the dead load weight of a heavy privacy gate. That could be up to 300 pounds in some cases. These hinges are typically strap hinges or T hinges and will have 3 large bolts per leaf.

Most fencing companies use 2 black ornamental wood gate hinges on their gates because that is the way the hinges are packaged.  At Bryant Fence we go the extra step for strength and stability to add a third hinge on the middle backing rail in the privacy fencing application.

Vinyl Gate Latches

Vinyl latches also screw in on two faces of the vinyl for extra strength.  Since the vinyl is so stable in the elements, we have more options in latches to choose from.  Simple black gravity latches are the starting point for any vinyl gate, but newer technology has great options for us.

Child reaching for gate latch

Picket fencing favorite latch is the magnetic tube type (we use Nationwide Industries Aqua-Latch) for self-latching and designed for swimming pool security. What a great latch, we use it on almost all vinyl picket fences now.

For the vinyl privacy fencing our favorite is the KEYSTONE LATCH (also by Nationwide Industries). This is also designed for pool use on privacy fencing. It includes a built in locking system with keys and is a gravity latch self latching. Also comes with a black nylon handle and locks and opens from inside or outside.