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I tried using a 4x4 post for a 6-foot gate and it sagged in a month
I figured the extra thickness would be stronger, but the weight of the cedar planks was just too much for the hinge side. Now I'm looking at a full rebuild with a proper 6x6 and a diagonal brace. What's your go-to post size for a heavy single gate?
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dianagreen2mo ago
Ever think about using a steel post inside the wood? @johnrivera is right about the 6x6, but I sunk a galvanized pipe in concrete and boxed it with cedar. That brace is key, make sure it runs from the bottom hinge out to the top corner of the gate.
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holly_price1mo ago
OH MAN, I just read this article from This Old House that said basically the same thing! They tested a 4x4 vs a 6x6 and the 4x4 twisted like a pretzel under a heavy gate. I tried using a 4x4 for my 5 foot gate once and it sagged so bad I could barely close it after six weeks. That diagonal brace is everything, I learned the hard way too. Now I always go with a 6x6 set in a good 24 inches of concrete, and I brace it from the bottom hinge to the top far corner like you mentioned.
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johnrivera2mo ago
Well, there's your problem. You tried to use a telephone pole for the gate itself. That 4x4 post was just a fancy lever, and gravity always wins that fight. For a six foot gate, I wouldn't even think about anything less than a 6x6 post set deep in concrete. The diagonal brace is non-negotiable, too. It's the only thing that stops that sad, slow swing into the ground.
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