How to install a deck gate up against weatherboard?

[Hughonidas]

Hi all

Im looking to replace the baby gate with a more sturdy fixed gate. I have self closing hinges already but wondering what the best way is to mount the lock on the roght hand side? The minimum gap at the moment between the left post and weatherboard is 95.4cm and the height of the balustrade is 108cm.

Should I put in a post on the right mounted to deck if possible?

Thanks.

[JacobZ]

Hi @Hughonidas,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Mounting a post through the weatherboard would be an option if there were a stud right where you need it, but it is somewhat unlikely that there will be one perfectly where you need it.

For this reason, I'd suggest using a Pryda 90mm M10 Bolt Down Post Anchor to mount a 90x90mm timber post, down through the decking board into the frame beneath.

Looking at the location of the post on the left, there should be a framing member available. The post anchor would need to be mounted through the decking boards into the framing of the deck using 100mm batten screws. You would then use M10 x 120mm Hot Dip Galvanised Hex Head Bolts to attach the post to the anchor.

With the post in place, you can attach your gate to the post.

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

Jacob

[Hughonidas]

Thanks Jacob.

This helps alot. I was leaning towards getting the 950mm version of this flanged fence post Rapidfence 50x50 Flanged fence post  instead of doing the wooden post.

Would I still need an anchor under the deck to connect post to decking member?

Thanks.

[JacobZ]

Hi @Hughonidas,

That post should work fine, but you will still need to attach it to a framing member underneath.

If you were to just screw into the decking board, the force of the gate swinging open and closed would eventually start to pull the decking board up.

If there is not a framing member directly beneath the deck, I would suggest adding one. If this is the case, could you upload some photos of the underside of that location so I can assist.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Hughonidas]

Thanks Jacob.

Pictures attached as requested. The post would be located up against the houses weatherboards that can be see in the photo.

Post would need to be attached to the framing member in the red box I believe. Would an anchor still work? Thoughts? 

Thanks.

[JacobZ]

Hi @Hughonidas,

I'm assuming they are hot water lines, which would make it a bit more tricky.

Is there any gap above them? Say 70mm or so?

A post anchor would still work if you can attach a piece of H3 timber framing to the side of the joist so that there is solid material beneath all four screw holes in the post anchor. If you could have two 100mm batten screws into the existing joist and then mount a 70 x 35mm Outdoor Framing H3 Treated Pine to the outside of the joist, then use two 50mm batten screws into that timber block, then that should hold well enough.

If there is no room above these pipes, then we might have to rethink our approach. 

Let me know what you find.

Jacob

[Hughonidas]

Hi Jacob

Thanks for the help thus far. Another pic for more clarity on clearances. You can see the gap to pipes, less than 70mm. As well as about where the post will go on the far side of the deck.

I'll take a look at post anchors today and additional timber and screws to get it done.

Thanks.

[JacobZ]

Hi @Hughonidas,

How much clearance from the pipes do you have here?

As long as you can mount a block of timber that you can drive a decent-sized screw into, you should be in business.

Assuming the decking boards are somewhere around 20mm thick, then a batten such as this 42 x 42mm 2.7m Pre-Oiled Merbau Solid Screening would give you enough depth to drive in a couple of 50mm screws.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Hughonidas]

Hi Jacob

Working with about 65mm clearance there so above solution should work.

Thanks.