How to fix a Colorbond fence gate not straight?

[ivanptr]

Hi Brain Trust,

Our colorbond fence gate panel is not straight.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/Ksd-tED7IHo?si=aLV_TKNXzwLebUn5

What can we do to reinforce it? Please provide all materials that we can purchase from Bunnings.

Thank you for any advice

[JacobZ]

Hi @ivanptr,

Thank you for your question.

The issue looks to be because a standard Colorbond fence panel has been converted into a gate. As the frame runs around the perimeter of the panel, there is no bracing through the middle to keep everything straight. The vertical framing on the latch side is only braced by the top and bottom rails, which are thin metal, which can twist when they are not supported. 

Unfortunately, any recommendation I make would be experimental at best because this is not supposed to be a gate.

You could try attaching some 70x35 H3 Pine vertically between the top and bottom rails of the panel. Two lengths at even spacing should help brace things a bit better.

You can use Zenith 10G x 50mm Galvanised Countersunk Head Metal Screws to attach the timber to the fence.

Allow me to tag @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @JoeAzza for their thoughts.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[Nailbag]

Hi @ivanptr 

I'm concur with @JacobZ that the gate hasn't been built in a way to support that span with vertical colourbond sheeting. It's worth a try of Jacob's suggestion for the diagonal brace, but typically thats to prevent a gate/fence from sagging. You issue is that it's twisted. @JoeAzza is the metal work guru, but I think it needs a custom sized square tubed metal frame welded up that incorporated the hinges back to the fence post. This frame would have at least one possible two diagonal bracing mentioned.

Regards Nailbag