How to install a metal gate with a pre-existing fence?

Question

Hi,

We have a recent build and I am wanting to put a fence down the side of the house but this will be a first for me, so have a few questions to see if what i am thinking of doing is correct.

Any advise or help is most welcome!

What I am trying to do is install a fence that I can either add a plastic or metal design panel to create a similar look to the below:

There's a colourbond fence down one side and the brink wall to the house on the other, which I am trying to see if I will need posts or if I can attch the fence directly to either the wall or fence post.

So a few questions:

1. Can I re-use the colourbond fence that is already in place as the gate post? I'm not sure if it's been concreted in but will dig to see. If it isn't, could I dig like well arround it and add cecement?

2. Could I attach the gate or gate latch directly to the wall?

3. I was eyeing the RapidFence 1200 x 1870mm Grey Adjustable Steel Gate Frame Kit, would this work for what I am trying to do with the panels?

4. I was told by someone that I couldn't use those rusted panels as it would transer it's rust to the gate posts and potentially the fence. A second person said it should be fine. Could I use rusted panels? Like this one —>

5. The fence post I was thinking of getting if I couldn't (or shouldn't) use the fence or wall was this: RapidFence 50 x 50 x 1500mm Black Steel In Ground Fence Post.

Dimentions

W: 1150mm - fence post to wall

H: 1800mm

More potos of post and location of where the gate may go if it helps.

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @Julia.B,

Yes, that would be perfectly fine. You can certainly paint the galvanised steel post to match the rest of the gate and fencing.

The main thing is preparing the galvanised surface correctly so the paint adheres properly. I'd start by washing the post thoroughly with warm water and a small amount of detergent or sugar soap to remove any dirt, grease and residues from the surface. Give it a good scrub with a scourer, rinse it thoroughly with clean water and allow it to dry completely.

Once clean, I'd recommend applying a suitable etch primer before your metal paint. The etch primer is important because galvanised steel can be difficult for conventional paints to adhere to, and it creates a suitable surface for your subsequent coats.

You might like to check out Bunnings' guide How to paint metal, which covers preparing, priming and painting metal surfaces for some further guidance.

Just make sure you follow the preparation and application instructions for the specific etch primer and topcoat you select, particularly around compatibility and recoating times.

Jacob

Julia.B · Answer

Thank you so much Jacob, this has really helped me!

Very happy to know I can still try the rusted steel look. I'll most likely use the washers you suggested, sounds like a really good idea.

Would there be any harm done if I painted the galvanised posts? I was thinking to getting the Dulux 300g Metalshield Multipurpose Spray Paint Woodland Grey - Bunnings Australia.

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @Julia.B,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It is wonderful to have you with us.

The RapidFence 1200 x 1870mm Grey Adjustable Steel Gate Frame Kit you've selected looks like a good option for the space. The frame is adjustable from 700–1200mm wide and 1000–1870mm high, so with approximately 1150mm between the existing fence post and brick wall, you have some flexibility to adjust the frame to suit the available opening.

I wouldn't recommend using the existing Colorbond fence post as the hinge post for the gate. Fence posts are primarily there to support the fence, whereas a gate places additional leverage and repeated movement on the post every time it is opened, closed or caught by the wind.

Instead, I'd suggest installing a dedicated gate post such as this Australian Handyman Supplies 89 x 89mm x 3.0m Galvanised Steel Fence Post. It's a substantial galvanised steel post suitable for outdoor fencing applications.

As a general rule, you want around one-third of a post in the ground and two-thirds above ground. With a gate around 1800mm high, you need around 1800mm of usable post above ground plus sufficient length below ground to provide adequate support. That's why I'd be looking at a 3m post rather than one that's only 1500mm long.

I'd be much more comfortable installing dedicated posts on both sides of the opening and concreting them securely into the ground. This keeps the gate structurally independent of both the house and the existing Colorbond fence and ensures any loads are applied to dedicated supports.

You can certainly incorporate a decorative rusted steel panel into the galvanised gate frame. The rust itself isn't going to simply transfer across and cause the galvanised frame to rust, as the zinc coating is there to protect the steel underneath. What I would try to avoid is having the rusty panel sitting tightly against the galvanised frame where water can become trapped between the two surfaces.

You could use appropriately sized Zenith nylon washers between the decorative panel and gate frame at each fixing point. You could stack a couple together if you need a slightly larger gap. The nylon is suitable for exterior use and will separate the two metal surfaces while creating a small gap for drainage and airflow. This should help the surfaces dry after rain and also prevent the rusted panel from rubbing directly against the galvanised coating.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob