Zippity Outdoor Products 2.5ft H x 5.1ft W (1 Gate) No Dig Zippity Madison Gate Kit, White Vinyl Picket Fence Gate Kit for Madison Fence Panels, Child or Dog Gate for Backyard, Patio, Outdoor, or Garden Fence, ZP19028

Why I chose the Madison gate kit

I needed a small, clean-looking gate to finish off a short vinyl picket run and keep a small dog contained on the patio. The Madison gate kit from Zippity Outdoor Products promised a low profile (2.5 feet tall), a coordinated look with the matching Madison fence panels, and an approachable install. It’s not marketed as a security gate or a pool barrier—just a light-duty, good-looking way to define space and keep little ones and little pets where they should be. That’s exactly the problem I wanted to solve.

What’s in the box

The kit is complete out of the box, which I appreciate. You get:
- The gate leaf (36-7/8 in wide)
- Two short decorative “wings” with their own posts
- Two extended posts for the gate
- Two hinges and a small latch
- Six post caps

Fully assembled with the wings, the span is 61-3/8 in. It’s meant to be used with the wings for stability; don’t plan to float the gate on its own posts without them unless you anchor to a structure. The vinyl is made from reprocessed, recycled PVC, which is a nice sustainability touch and doesn’t affect the look—everything on my kit was uniform bright white.

Installation experience

Despite the “No Dig” name that appears on some Zippity products, this particular gate does require setting posts in the ground. The instructions allow gravel or concrete; I used compacted gravel at the base and a collar of fast-setting concrete around the top 10 inches for stiffness. That combination gave me a solid hinge line without locking the entire post tube in place.

A few practical notes from my install:
- Layout matters. I dry-fitted the gate, hinges, and wings on a flat surface to confirm the 61-3/8 in overall span before I touched a shovel. This made marking the post centers straightforward.
- Soil dictates your day. In softer loam, the post holes were quick; in rocky sections I switched to a 3/4-in auger bit and a digging bar. If you have compacted or gravelly soil, budget extra time.
- Plumb and brace. Gate posts need to be arrow-straight. I braced them in two directions while the concrete set and rechecked with a level after hanging the leaf.
- Plan for slope. On a mild grade, I “stepped” the wings and raised the latch side slightly to keep the swing smooth. Expect to shim or step on uneven ground.

Assembly of the vinyl components is mostly tool-light. The rails and pickets slide and lock together without adhesives. Where you will use a drill is for the hinge and latch screws. Drilling clean pilot holes into the vinyl makes a difference—without pilots, screws bite too aggressively and can skew alignment.

Build quality and design

The vinyl profiles are lightweight and consistent. They won’t fool anyone into thinking they’re painted wood up close, but they’re straight, smooth, and look tidy once installed. At 2.5 feet tall, this is more “garden accent and barrier” than “fence,” which suits patios and paths. The decorative wings are more than trim—structurally, they help stiffen the gate assembly by triangulating into the ground.

Expect some flex in the pickets and rails if you lean on them; that’s normal for hollow vinyl at this price point. The upside is zero maintenance—no rot, no paint, and a quick rinse returns it to bright white.

Gate operation and hardware

Out of the box, the gate swings smoothly when the hinges are mounted square and the posts are plumb. The included latch is small and simple. It does the job for light-duty containment, but alignment is critical: even a few degrees of sag or twist will push it out of tolerance. On my install, I took extra time to get the hinge spacing perfect and added a small vinyl gate stop to ensure the latch tongue lands in the same place every time.

The hinge and latch hardware arrived black, which contrasts against the white vinyl. Some will like the accent, others will want a monochrome look. Functionally, the hinges are adequate for a low, lightweight leaf; if you expect frequent use or rough handling, I’d upgrade to heavier-duty vinyl-compatible hinges and a latch with more forgiving catch geometry.

Compatibility and use cases

This kit is designed to match Zippity’s Madison vinyl fence panels (model ZP19001). That 1:1 styling is the main draw—if you’re finishing a Madison run, the proportions and picket spacing align perfectly. I also tried an alternative setup, anchoring one wing to a house wall with masonry anchors and a simple bracket to create a return. It worked well and tightened the assembly in a high-traffic spot.

Use cases where it shines:
- Keeping small dogs and toddlers contained on a patio or garden path
- Creating a gentle boundary without blocking sightlines
- Finishing a short decorative fence run with a functional entry

Use cases where it’s the wrong tool:
- Large, energetic dogs that lean or jump
- Security, privacy, or pool-code applications
- Areas where a tall gate is needed to deter climbing or entry

Durability and weathering

After a season of sun and rain, the vinyl has held its color and cleans easily with soapy water. The posts are stable with the gravel-and-concrete set. Hardware is the first place budget shows on kits like this; I noticed light surface oxidation beginning on the hinge pins after months outside. It hasn’t affected function, but it nudged me toward planning a hardware upgrade if the gate sees heavy use or if you’re in a coastal or high-humidity climate. The vinyl itself has a bit of flex in hot weather and feels stiffer when cold—typical for PVC—so keep your hinge clearances modest to account for seasonal movement.

What I liked

• Cohesive look with Madison panels; the gate doesn’t look like an afterthought
• Lightweight components that assemble cleanly and don’t require glue
• Complete kit straight out of the box (hinges, latch, posts, wings, caps)
• Simple, low profile that’s easy to step over while still containing small pets
• Recycled PVC content gives a sustainability boost without a finish penalty

What I’d change

• The included latch is fussy about alignment; a more forgiving catch would improve day-to-day use
• Hinges are adequate but not robust; frequent use or rough handling warrants an upgrade
• Black hardware on bright white vinyl won’t suit every aesthetic
• The name can imply “no dig,” but you do need to set the gate posts in the ground

Tips for a smoother install

• Dry-fit everything and mark your post centers on the ground before digging
• Use a 3/4-in to 1-in auger bit to loosen tough soil; it saves time and your shoulders
• Always drill pilot holes in the vinyl for hinge and latch screws
• Brace the posts in two directions while concrete sets; recheck plumb after hanging the leaf
• On a slope, plan a small step between the gate and wings, or shim under the wings to keep the swing clear
• If this gate will see heavy use, budget for upgraded hinges and a sturdier latch from day one

Value

For light-duty containment that needs to look neat and match existing Madison panels, the price-to-performance is fair. You’re paying for a complete, matched kit and easy maintenance rather than raw strength. If you need a taller or sturdier solution, you’ll spend more—and you should. If your goal is a tidy, low barrier for small pets or children, this hits the mark.

Recommendation

I recommend the Madison gate kit for homeowners who want a low, attractive gate to finish a decorative vinyl run and corral small pets or kids. It installs with basic tools, looks cohesive with the Madison panels, and requires virtually no maintenance. Just go in with clear expectations: it’s not a security gate, and the included hardware is serviceable but light-duty. Spend a little extra time on alignment, consider a hardware upgrade if the gate will get heavy use, and set the posts properly in the ground. Do that, and you’ll get the clean, functional garden entry this kit is designed to provide.