How to Fit a Security Gate

Unfortunately, we live in a country with one of the highest crime rates in the world, so we tend to spend a lot of time, effort and money on ensuring our homes and families are kept safe. One of the most basic means to do that is with security gates on exterior doors. Here is how you can fit it yourself!

When selecting a security gate to protect your home and family, you’re spoiled for choice. Mica carries a comprehensive range from which to select the perfect one. Be warry though, many will tell you that it will only take a few minutes – they’re WRONG!

Well, not always ‘wrong’… However, in this case it is because it took us a while longer than expected. We had to cut spacer blocks to set the gate further out from the door as the latter had a large rainwater barrier fitted.

Project Guide:

Difficulty: Intermediate/Reasonably skilled
Estimated time: Two hours
Cost: R700-R900 (Depending on the gate selected and number of adjustments that need to be made to fit it properly.)

Materials:

Instructions which will have a list of tools and drillbits you will need. Some gates need to be locked with a padlock and will usually not include this.
Please note: If you need to mount the door other than on the jamb itself, you will need to get the necessary brackets or timber for spacer blocks, screws and plugs.

• One security gate, they usually come complete with:
  • Hinges
  • Screws
  • Lock
  • Protection Plate
  • Keys

*All materials are available at Selected Mica Stores. To find your nearest Mica and to enquire about availability, please go to www.mica.co.za, to use our store locator. If your local Mica does not stock exactly what you need they will be able to order or suggest an alternative product or a reputable source.

Key Orientation

The convention is that, when the key is inserted into the lock, it is inserted with the flat surface facing up (left-hand view), and the slotted surface underneath (right-hand view). If you install the door upside-down, you will have to turn the key in the opposite direction to what you usually do in order to either lock it or unlock it.

In general, this will simply be a small learning curve; but in an emergency, you need to be able to act instinctively and lock/unlock. So remember – flat surface face up!

Method:

1. Here you can clearly see the kitchen door prior to the installation of the gate.



2. This is the weather/rainwater barrier which necessated the spacer blocks to set the gate further out from the door.



3. We cut two mounting blocks of 32x32mm SA pine with the ends mitred at 45º.



4. Ensuring that the gate lock properly orientated, we positioned the hinges 125mm from the end and attached them, drilling 4mm hole for the supplied self-tapping screws.



5. Now for the legs. Cut them using a circular either a cut-off saw or jigsaw.



6. Make sure you insert the screws right the first time as they are difficult to remove once in. We suggest leaving the packaging in place to protect the gate from damage while it’s being fitted.



7. Position the gate in the doorway, resting it on the two mounting blocks to establish the positions for the blocks. Then drill the holes in the wall as shown for the mounting blocks to be attached to the wall and to the jamb.



8. Next, attach pre-painted blocks as shown, 75mm 10 guage screws and plugs into the wall, and three screws straight through the block and into the full depth section of the jamb. The continue to attach the hinges with 30mm wood screws; this allows the hinges to close in on themselves and the gate to close properly.



9. On the lock side, use a smaller 19x19mm pre-painted spacer block to position the lock-keep up against the lock. Mark the fixing screw positions and fit the lock-key with two 100mm 10 gauge screws with plugs. Note that the door handle is well clear of the locked position of the gate…



10. … and can be operated without any problem. There should be sufficient clearance from the doorknob for the gate and door to open and shut without any hassles.



11. With the hinges fitted as shown here, the gate opens to about 120º, which keeps it well out the way when you are lugging big items in and out.



12. Remember the weather/rainwater barrier? The gate is well clear of this. Shown here is a view of the top hinge on its mounting block. If you fill the screw holes left by the screw heads, sand down the surface and paint, it will be difficult for anyone to see where the screws are in order to remove them.



13. Job done – enjoy your safer house.