MOUNTWEST BUILDING SUPPLIES LTD Gate Kit (3/4" pickets, Black) - Lightweight Aluminum gate Package for Outdoor Patio, Deck and Garden use. Custom Size Build for DIY (48" max Opening). Hinges/Latch Included

Why I chose this gate kit

I needed a clean, modern gate that wouldn’t look like a tacked-on baby gate and could adapt to a slightly odd opening on my deck. A welded custom gate was overkill (and over budget), and most off-the-shelf options were either flimsy or the wrong size. The aluminum gate kit from Mountwest fit the brief: light, sturdy, simple lines with 3/4" black pickets, and a promise that I could cut it to fit an opening up to 48 inches. That combination—custom fit without going custom fabrication—is what convinced me to try it.

What’s in the box and first impressions

My kit arrived well packed, with the rails, pickets, hinges, latch, and a variety of screws and fasteners. The black powder-coated finish was consistent, with no drips or thin spots, and the pickets were straight. The hinges are sturdy and include adjustable tension for self-closing behavior, and the latch is lockable with a key. It’s not ornate hardware, but it’s robust and appropriate for outdoor use.

I appreciated that everything necessary for the gate assembly was included; for mounting the hinges and latch to your posts, the supplied fasteners will cover typical wood installations, but you’ll need your own anchors if you’re mounting to metal posts or masonry.

Design and materials

The design is straightforward: aluminum frame components and 3/4" square pickets that create a cohesive, contemporary look. The lightweight construction is a real plus. It makes handling and hanging the gate much easier than a steel alternative, and it’s far less likely to stress an existing railing or deck post over time. The powder-coated finish should hold up to weather; aluminum won’t rust, and the coating adds an extra layer of protection and a uniform, matte-black aesthetic that blends with many railing systems.

The picket spacing and the overall layout feel intentional—minimalist without looking cheap. On my deck, the gate visually disappears into the railing rather than shouting “afterthought.”

Installation experience

Plan on this being a project, not a quick 30-minute chore. I measured the opening, decided on the swing direction, and subtracted a small clearance for hinge and latch tolerances. The instructions are serviceable, but they’re light on detail in a few places—especially around fastener selection and where to place screws relative to the ends of the rails. The manufacturer’s video walkthrough filled most of the gaps, and I’d recommend watching it before you start.

A few practical notes from my install:
- Cutting: You can technically make the cuts with snips, but a miter saw or chop saw with a non-ferrous metal blade made the work cleaner and faster. Clamp the workpiece and go slow to keep the powder coat from burring at the edges.
- Squaring: Dry-fit the frame and pickets before you commit with screws. A large carpenter’s square and two quick clamps made it easy to keep everything true while I fastened the corners.
- Touch-up: After trimming the rails and pickets, I hit cut ends with black touch-up paint to blend the aluminum and protect the fresh edges.
- Hinge mounting: Mounting the hinges to the post first, then hanging the gate and making micro-adjustments for plumb and reveal, gave me a better result than trying to attach hinges to the gate on the bench.
- Tensioning: The spring hinges are adjustable. Set them to just enough tension to self-close without slamming; a small punch or hex key worked to move the tension pin.

From start to finish, including careful measuring, cutting, assembly, and mounting, it took me most of an afternoon. Not difficult—just methodical.

Hardware and latch behavior

The included latch is reversible and lockable. For my use (keeping dogs on the deck and controlling access down the stairs), the self-closing hinges plus the latch give a satisfying, consistent close without rattling. If you don’t need the lock, you can simply leave the key aside; if you do need a lock for safety or code reasons, it’s built in. The latch is straightforward to align, but like any gate hardware, it benefits from a patient approach: nudge the strike plate in small increments to dial out any drag.

Custom fit: where this kit shines

The ability to cut both width and height is the standout feature. My opening wasn’t a standard width, and I wanted the top rail to line up with the existing railing. Trimming the pickets and rails to suit was simple, and the finished gate looks like it was designed with the deck. If you have an opening up to 48 inches and you’re willing to do a bit of careful layout, you can get a near-custom look without a fabricator.

Because the gate is relatively light, it also plays nicely with existing posts; I didn’t need to reinforce the hinge side as I might with a heavier steel gate.

Day-to-day use and durability

After installation, the gate has been quiet and solid. There’s no noticeable sag or twist, and the hinges keep things aligned. The powder coat has shrugged off sun and rain so far, and the aluminum construction is reassuring in climates where rust would quickly claim a steel gate. The latch still operates smoothly, and the self-close action hasn’t loosened.

Noise is minimal—no clang on closing—and there’s enough adjustability in the hinge tension to match your preference. For pets and general deck access control, it does exactly what it should: it stays put, and it looks good doing it.

Where it fits best

• Decks and patios where you want a modern, low-profile look that blends with existing 3/4" baluster railings.
• Odd openings that don’t match standard off-the-shelf gate sizes.
• Situations where weight matters—retrofits on older posts or railings benefit from aluminum over steel.
• Spaces where a lockable latch is a plus (for example, keeping a gate secured when you’re not around). Always check local codes if you’re using it near a pool; requirements vary.

Quibbles and trade-offs

No kit is perfect, and this one has a few rough edges:
- The printed instructions are thin. They’ll get you there, but the video tutorial is practically essential for a smooth build.
- There are multiple screw types in the package, and it’s not immediately obvious which to use in each step. Labeling or a clearer fastener guide would help.
- Expect to bring your own anchors if you’re mounting to something other than wood posts.
- It’s a time investment. Careful cutting and assembly take a few hours. The payoff is a cleaner, sturdier result—just plan accordingly.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth knowing before you crack the box.

Tips for a smoother build

• Measure three times. Subtract a hair more for hinge/latch clearance if your posts aren’t perfectly plumb.
• Use a miter or chop saw with a non-ferrous blade for clean, square cuts.
• Dry-fit the frame and pickets, clamp square, then fasten.
• Lightly deburr or touch up cut edges to protect the finish.
• Mount hinges to the post first, then hang and adjust the gate.
• Set hinge tension conservatively and fine-tune after a day of use.

The bottom line

This aluminum gate kit strikes a smart balance: the look of a custom, modern gate without the custom price or weight, and the flexibility to tailor it to a quirky opening. It’s sturdy, weather-resistant, and once set up, it behaves like a more expensive, purpose-built piece. The trade-off is that you need a bit of patience and a few basic tools to get the best results, and the documentation could be clearer.

Recommendation: I recommend this gate kit. If you’re comfortable with a half-day DIY project and have a miter saw or access to one, you’ll end up with a sleek, durable, and properly fitted gate that integrates cleanly with most deck or patio railings. The included hinges and lockable latch are solid, the aluminum build keeps weight down, and the finished product looks like it belongs. If you want a plug-and-play install with no cutting and hyper-detailed instructions, this isn’t that. But for an adaptable, well-finished, and cost-effective solution, it’s an excellent choice.