Some of the various ways to mount hinges on a gate, barn door or carriage house door are:

• Surface mounted, which includes T-hinges and Strap hinges
• Butt Hinges with dummy straps
• Bolt Hook & Strap
• Spring Hinges, either spring butt hinges or double acting spring hinges

The most important consideration when hanging a gate, barn or carriage house door is the weight, the width and what it is going to attach to (post, wall, door frame, etc.). As the door gets heavier and/or wider, the hinges need to be more substantial. Hinges for doors of this type often carry quite a load.

Surface Mounted Hinges

Surface mounted strap hinges are mostly used on lighter weight gates and barn doors. They are generally easier to install and come in a large variety of decorative styles.

                 Heart style strap hinge                      Decorative Strap Hinge

Heavy Duty Strap Hinges

We have one very heavy duty strap hinge that is great for large gates or barn doors. It comes in 19", 24" and 36" lengths. An advantage of this type of hinge is that the strap part of the hinge can be "through-bolted" with nuts and washers which will help to strengthen the gate or barn door. Click here to go to this pintle hinge on the HardwareSource.com website.

Butt Hinges with Dummy Straps

One of the best ways to hang a heavy gate, barn door or carriage house door is to use butt hinges and dummy straps. The butt hinges are installed just like the hinges on your front door (it is usually not necessary to mortise the hinges). Butt hinges installed this way can hold a lot of weight. The dummy straps are installed on the surface of the door to give it the look of a strap hinge. You can use 4-1/2" x 4-1/2", 5" x 5", or 6" x 6" butt hinges depending on the size of your door and what it is mounted to. If you order prime coated butt hinges they can easily be spray painted black to match the dummy straps. It is a good idea to use the largest size hinge that will fit and at least 3 hinges.

Butt Hinge       Dummy Strap

Screw or Bolt Hook & Strap

Screw or Bolt Hook & Strap hinges can be used on gates that you want to swing both ways (or gates that you want to swing only one way). This type of hinge can hold a lot of weight for its size. They are also good when you are mounting the gate to a masonary wall. To install in a masonry wall drill the proper size hole, insert a lag anchor in the hole and screw the bolt hook into the lag anchor. Another feature of this type of gate hinge is that once installed the gate can be removed by lifting it off of the bolt hook.

      Bolt Hook & Strap Hinge                                      Bolt Hook & Strap Hinge

Spring Hinges, (Single Acting Spring Butt hinges or Double Acting Spring Hinges

Another method of achieving a gate that swings both ways is to use a double acting spring hinge. These hinges will close the gate back to its center or closed position. If your gate swings only in one direction and you want it to be self closing you can use a single acting spring butt hinge. Depending on the size and weight of the gate you would use one or more spring butt hinges.

   Double Acting Spring Hinge        Single Acting Spring Butt Hinge