How to Make Spa Enclosures Self-Closing & Self-Latching

Gate Spring

• 1

  Position one mounting plate of the gate spring on the inside of the gate post, between the upper and lower hinges. Using a pencil, mark the positions of the screw holes in the mounting plate. Remove the mounting plate. Using a drill and drill bit, drill pilot holes through the screw-hole marks, into the gate post. Reposition the mounting plate and screw it in place, using screws provided in the gate-spring kit.

• 2

  Attach the spring to the mounting plate, attached to the gate post. Hook the free end of the spring to the unattached mounting plate. Position the second mounting plate on the stile (vertical framing member) of the inside of the gate so the spring is straight between the two mounting plates. Mark the mounting plate's screw-hole positions on the gate. Remove the mounting plate from the gate.

• 3

  Drill a pilot hole through each screw-hole mark on the gate. Reposition the mounting plate and spring on the gate, aligning the screw holes. Attach the mounting plate to the gate with the screws provided in the gate-spring kit. If necessary, adjust the spring tension by turning the tension nut with an adjustable wrench.

Gravity Latch

• 4

  Close the gate. Position the gate catch on the opening-side gate post. Use masking tape to hold it in place on the post. Position the striker bar component on the gate so the bar is aligned with the catch. Pass the tip of a pencil through each screw hole on the base plate of the striker bar portion to mark their positions on the gate. Remove the latch and catch from the gate and gate post.

• 5

  Drill pilot holes into the gate, through each screw-hole mark. Reposition the latch on the gate, aligning the screw holes. Use a drill and driving bit to attach the latch to the gate with the screws provided in the latch kit.

• 6

  Reposition the catch on the gate post, aligning it to the striker bar of the gravity latch. Mark the positions of the screw holes in the base plate. Remove the catch. Drill a pilot hole through each screw-hole mark. Reposition the catch. Screw the catch to the gate post.