CHAIN LINK GATES AND ACCESS HARDWARE
Chain Link Gates Built Around the Opening.
Complete the chain link fence system with pedestrian, vehicle, swing or sliding gate materials selected for the required clear opening and intended use.
CerKa Fence Supply helps customers coordinate gate frames, chain link infill, gate posts, hinges, latches, drop rods and available access hardware for residential, commercial and industrial projects.
Tell us how the opening will be used and we will help identify the information required for a material quotation.
Already have an opening measurement or gate drawing?
A Complete Chain Link Gate System
A chain link gate requires more than a frame and fabric.
A complete gate material package may include:
- Gate leaf or leaves
- Chain link fabric infill
- Gate posts
- Gate hinges
- Latch
- Drop rods
- Gate stops
- Hold-open hardware
- Truss rods
- Gate wheels or rollers
- Guide hardware
- Locking components
- Access-control preparation
- Privacy products
- Security extensions
- Compatible fasteners
The final configuration depends on the clear opening, gate height, operation, traffic, finish and project requirements.
Pedestrian Chain Link Gates
Pedestrian gates provide access for people, maintenance personnel and light equipment.
They may be used for:
- Residential yards
- Side-yard access
- Commercial walkways
- Storage enclosures
- Parks and recreational properties
- Maintenance areas
- Controlled pedestrian entrances
When requesting a pedestrian gate, identify:
- Required clear opening
- Gate height
- Fabric mesh and wire specification
- Direction of swing
- Left- or right-hand hinging
- Latch type
- Locking requirements
- Self-closing requirements
- Accessibility requirements
- Privacy requirements
- Finish and colour
Single-Swing Vehicle Gates
A single-swing gate uses one leaf to cover the vehicle opening.
This configuration requires enough clear space for the full gate leaf to swing.
Consider:
- Clear opening
- Gate-leaf width
- Gate height
- Available swing area
- Gate weight
- Gate-post dimensions
- Hinge capacity
- Ground slope
- Wind exposure
- Manual or automated operation
- Locking requirements
- Privacy products
A wide single gate can place substantial forces on the hinge post and foundation.
Double-Swing Vehicle Gates
A double-swing gate divides the opening between two gate leaves.
A complete double-gate system may require:
- Two gate leaves
- Two gate posts
- Hinges
- Centre latch
- Drop rods or cane bolts
- Ground receivers
- Gate stops
- Hold-open hardware
- Locking components
- Truss rods
- Automation preparation, if required
The centre closure, ground clearance and alignment of both leaves must be considered during design and installation.
Sliding and Rolling Gates
A sliding or rolling gate moves parallel to the fence line rather than swinging into the property.
These gates may be considered where:
- Swing space is limited
- Vehicle traffic must remain organized
- The opening is relatively wide
- The project requires a sliding operation
- The site layout supports the gate’s travel path
A rolling gate system may require:
- Gate frame
- Chain link infill
- Wheels or rollers
- Track or ground surface
- Guide posts
- Receiver post
- Latch
- Stops
- Locking hardware
- Automation preparation
Ground conditions, snow, ice, debris and surface level can affect rolling-gate operation.
Cantilever Gates
A cantilever gate slides above the ground without relying on a ground wheel across the principal opening.
The gate is supported by posts and roller assemblies outside the clear opening.
A cantilever system may require:
- Extended gate frame
- Counterbalance section
- Cantilever posts
- Roller assemblies
- Guide hardware
- Receiver post
- Latch
- Stops
- Safety components
- Engineered foundations
- Automation preparation
The total gate-frame length is greater than the clear opening because of the counterbalance section.
Availability, dimensions and supporting requirements must be confirmed for each project.
Understanding Clear Opening
The clear opening is the usable space available for people, vehicles or equipment to pass through when the gate is fully open.
It is not necessarily the same as:
- Gate-leaf width
- Rough opening
- Distance between outside post faces
- Distance between post centres
- Overall gate-frame width
- Total sliding-gate length
The final leaf or frame dimensions must account for:
- Hinges
- Latch
- Centre gap
- Post clearance
- Roller hardware
- Receiver hardware
- Gate stops
- Required movement
Provide the required usable clear opening when requesting a quotation.
Gate Swing and Handing
For swing gates, identify:
- Inward or outward swing
- Left- or right-hand hinging
- Single- or double-swing operation
- Desired opening angle
- Available swing space
- Nearby buildings or obstacles
- Vehicle traffic
- Pedestrian traffic
- Property-line limitations
- Ground slope
The direction of operation must comply with the applicable project, property, accessibility and safety requirements.
Chain Link Gate Frames
The gate frame supports the chain link fabric and hardware.
Frame selection depends on:
- Gate width
- Gate height
- Number of leaves
- Fabric specification
- Gate weight
- Privacy products
- Wind exposure
- Manual or automated operation
- Frequency of use
- Security requirements
A gate frame may require:
- Outer frame tubing
- Internal braces
- Truss rods
- Fabric ties
- Tension bars
- Tension bands
- Welded or mechanical connections
Frame dimensions and construction must be confirmed before ordering.
Gate Posts
Gate posts support the gate, hinges and forces created by operation.
Gate posts may require different:
- Outside diameters
- Wall thicknesses
- Lengths
- Base plates
- Anchors
- Foundations
- Reinforcement
- Finishes
The correct post depends on:
- Clear opening
- Gate height
- Gate weight
- Number of leaves
- Hinge type
- Manual or automated operation
- Traffic frequency
- Wind exposure
- Privacy products
- Security extensions
- Ground conditions
Do not substitute standard line posts for gate posts without project approval.
Chain Link Gate Hinges
Hinges connect the gate leaf to the supporting post.
Available categories may include:
- Residential hinges
- Commercial hinges
- Adjustable hinges
- Bolt-on hinges
- Weld-on hinges
- Bearing hinges
- Heavy-duty hinges
- Self-closing hinges
- Anti-lift hinge arrangements
Hinges must match:
- Gate-post outside diameter
- Gate-frame outside diameter
- Gate weight
- Gate height
- Required adjustment
- Opening angle
- Frequency of use
- Finish
- Security requirements
Gate Latches
A gate latch controls how the gate closes and remains secured.
Possible categories may include:
- Fork latches
- Gravity latches
- Slide latches
- Lockable latches
- Padlockable latches
- Self-latching hardware
- Keyed latches
- Commercial gate latches
- Project-specific access hardware
The selected latch must match:
- Gate-frame dimensions
- Latch-post dimensions
- Single- or double-gate configuration
- Intended use
- Security requirements
- Accessibility requirements
- Self-closing requirements
- Finish
Drop Rods and Ground Receivers
Drop rods—also called cane bolts—help secure one or both leaves of a double-swing gate.
The system may require:
- Drop rod
- Gate-frame guides
- Ground receiver
- Centre stop
- Locking provision
- Hold-open receiver
Ground-mounted components should account for:
- Concrete or pavement
- Soil
- Drainage
- Snow
- Ice
- Debris
- Frost movement
- Maintenance access
Gate Stops and Hold-Open Hardware
Gate Stops
Gate stops help establish the intended closed or open position.
Hold-Open Hardware
Hold-open hardware can secure the gate leaf when it is intentionally left open.
Gate Keepers
Gate keepers may receive or retain a gate in a selected position.
Every component must be compatible with the gate dimensions, operation and site conditions.
Truss Rods and Gate Bracing
Larger swing-gate frames may require diagonal bracing or truss-rod assemblies.
A truss-rod system may include:
- Rod
- Tightener
- Frame connection
- Fasteners
- Additional bracing components
Bracing requirements depend on the gate width, height, frame construction, fabric, privacy products and expected use.
Manual and Automated Gates
Manual Gates
Manual gates may require:
- Hinges or rollers
- Latch
- Lock
- Drop rods
- Stops
- Hold-open hardware
- Proper alignment and clearance
Automated Gates
A gate intended for automation requires additional planning.
The complete system may require:
- Automation-ready gate frame
- Suitable gate posts
- Engineered foundations
- Gate operator
- Access-control devices
- Safety sensors
- Entrapment protection
- Electrical service
- Emergency release
- Qualified installation
- Inspection and maintenance
CerKa Fence Supply does not represent a gate as automation-ready unless that requirement is identified and confirmed in the quotation.
Automatic gate operators and safety devices should be selected and installed by qualified professionals according to manufacturer instructions and applicable requirements.
Access-Control Preparation
A chain link gate may need to coordinate with:
- Keypads
- Card readers
- Intercoms
- Remote controls
- Vehicle detectors
- Electric locks
- Magnetic locks
- Exit devices
- Safety sensors
- Cameras
- Emergency-access hardware
Access-control requirements can affect:
- Gate frame
- Gate posts
- Latch selection
- Conduit locations
- Mounting plates
- Power requirements
- Clearances
- Foundation planning
Identify these requirements before the gate is manufactured or ordered.
Security Gate Considerations
For commercial or industrial security gates, consider:
- Fabric mesh
- Wire diameter
- Gate height
- Ground clearance
- Gaps at posts
- Gaps between leaves
- Hinge access
- Anti-lift requirements
- Locking hardware
- Security extensions
- Access control
- Post and foundation strength
- Vehicle and pedestrian separation
The security of the fence perimeter can be reduced if the gate or access hardware does not match the project’s objectives.
No gate should be described as breach-proof without verified testing and documentation.
Privacy Slats and Gate Loading
Adding privacy slats or screening to a gate reduces airflow and increases wind forces.
The added loading may affect:
- Gate frame
- Gate posts
- Hinges
- Rollers
- Latch
- Drop rods
- Foundations
- Manual operation
- Gate operator
Privacy requirements should be identified before the gate and supporting hardware are selected.
Pool and Controlled-Access Gates
Certain applications may regulate:
- Gate height
- Opening direction
- Self-closing operation
- Self-latching operation
- Latch location
- Ground clearance
- Opening sizes
- Locking requirements
- Accessibility
- Emergency access
Requirements can vary by project and municipality.
CerKa should not represent a general gate as pool-code compliant or approved for a regulated application until the complete system has been reviewed against the applicable requirements.
Gate Colours and Finishes
Gate frames, posts, fabric and hardware should coordinate with the surrounding chain link system.
Available finishes may include project-specific:
- Galvanized components
- Black-coated components
- Green-coated components
- Brown-coated components
- Other manufacturer options
Not every hinge, latch, fastener or working component is available in every colour.
The exact colour and finish must be confirmed in the CerKa Fence Supply quotation.
Measuring an Existing Opening
When replacing or adding a gate, provide:
- Required clear opening
- Distance between existing posts
- Post outside diameters
- Post condition
- Fence height
- Fabric mesh and wire specification
- Ground slope
- Available swing or sliding space
- Overall photographs
- Close-up photographs
- Hinge and latch measurements
Use a tape measure in photographs to show dimensions.
Existing posts should be evaluated before they are reused to support a new gate.
What to Include in a Gate Quote
Provide as much of the following information as possible:
- Pedestrian or vehicle gate
- Required clear opening
- Gate height
- Single- or double-leaf configuration
- Swing, rolling or cantilever operation
- Direction of swing
- Left- or right-hand hinging
- Chain link mesh and wire specification
- Gate-post dimensions
- Manual or automated operation
- Expected traffic
- Locking requirements
- Access-control requirements
- Privacy requirements
- Security-extension requirements
- Galvanized or colour-coated finish
- Ground slope
- Installation surface
- Project location
- Required material date
- Drawings or photographs
Frequently Asked Questions
What Measurement Should I Provide?
Provide the required usable clear opening. The gate-frame dimensions will be determined around that requirement.
Are Gate Posts the Same as Line Posts?
Not necessarily. Gate posts may require different dimensions, wall thicknesses, reinforcement or foundations.
What Is the Difference Between a Swing Gate and Sliding Gate?
A swing gate rotates around hinges. A sliding gate moves parallel to the fence line using rollers or cantilever hardware.
What Is a Cantilever Gate?
A cantilever gate slides above the opening and uses supporting rollers and an extended counterbalance frame.
Can a Gate Open Over Sloped Ground?
Slope can interfere with gate movement. The required clearance and direction of operation must be reviewed before ordering.
Can a Manual Gate Be Automated Later?
Do not assume so. Future automation requirements should be identified before the gate, posts and foundations are selected.
Are Hinges and Latches Included?
Hardware should be listed separately in the quotation. Do not assume it is included unless shown.
Can Privacy Slats Be Added?
Compatible slats may be available, but the added wind loading must be considered.
Can CerKa Match an Existing Gate?
Possibly. Provide exact measurements, finish information and photographs for review.
Does CerKa Install or Automate Gates?
CerKa Fence Supply is a material distributor. Installation and gate automation are not represented as part of the material supply unless specifically stated and contracted separately.
Are Standard Gate Sizes Available?
Sizes and availability must be confirmed. Do not assume a gate is standard or in stock until the exact configuration appears in the quotation.
Important Gate Information
Gate dimensions, frame construction, posts, hardware, finish and operation must be confirmed before ordering.
Website images may represent a general gate category and may not show the exact frame, fabric, posts, hinges, latch, rollers, locking hardware or finish included in a quotation.
The purchaser, designer and installer remain responsible for confirming:
- Field measurements
- Clear opening
- Gate handing
- Ground clearance
- Post and foundation requirements
- Hardware installation
- Accessibility requirements
- Automation safety
- Access-control integration
- Applicable codes and regulations
Ready to Add a Gate to the Chain Link System?
Tell us the required clear opening, gate height, operation, fabric specification, finish and project location.
CerKa Fence Supply will help organize the requested gate, posts and access hardware into a material quotation.