3 Foot Outdoor Gate Hinges: How Speed, Wear, and Opening Angle Matter

Recently, we received this real-world inquiry from a project in San Francisco, CA:

“I’m looking for a 316 stainless closer hinge for a double gate that is about 3 feet tall, and each side will be about 3 feet wide. I estimate the weight of each gate to be around 100 pounds. I would like to use mortice hinges. Would it be possible to get a hold open at 180 degrees? If not, can you offer a closer hinge that will open 180, and I can secure it with a hook? Let me know what you can do. Thanks.”

A 3 ft outdoor gate seems easy to select and purchase, until you try to apply soft-closing, mortise fit, corrosion resistance, and a precise hold-open angle into one gate hinge solution.

How do you serve a requirement like this? Before choosing a hinge, you need to understand why a 3 ft outdoor gate stretches standard gate hardware beyond its limits—and what approach works better here.

Application Summary

Project type: Exterior gate
Gate size: 3’6” W × 3’ H × 1.5” thick
Gate weight: ~ 100 lbs
Material requirement: 316 stainless steel
Finish: US19, flat black
Location: San Francisco, CA
Recommended configuration: Mortise self-closing gate hinge with 90° hold-open

What Makes a 3 Foot Gate Special

A 3-foot outdoor gate looks simple, yet its proportions quietly work against most standard hinge solutions. The moment you add control requirements, the hardware category starts to break down because:

• It’s short, which limits leverage and usable mounting space
• It’s often solid or metal, pushing weight directly into the hinge line (like this 100 lbs gate)
• It’s too small for traditional heavy-duty closers to work properly

A basic spring gate hinge or gas strut can work, but they can’t manage closing speed, absorb momentum on a short swing arc, or hold up 100 lbs under repeated outdoor cycles. When surface-mounted closers are added, they usually fail quickly due to poor geometry, visual impact, and accelerated wear on short gates.

Why 316 Stainless Steel Hinges Matter in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco’s environment introduces an invisible enemy: aggressive chloride and moisture exposure.

For exterior gates near coastal areas, stainless steel is the preferred material for corrosion resistance. Among available options, 316 stainless steel provides the highest level of protection in oceanside environments, while 304 stainless steel is only suitable for less aggressive coastal or inland conditions.

So to sum up: Weather resistance must be inherent to the material itself—not reliant on surface coatings or finishes that degrade over time.

Do Outdoor Gates Really Need a 90° Hold Open?

“I do want the hold open feature. The architect was specific about the angle it stays open.”

As the customer said, yes, they do!
When an outdoor gate must stay open at a fixed angle, a hold-open is becoming a control requirement. Without it, short gates are pushed by wind, over-swing under use, or slam back into the frame, accelerating wear and creating safety issues.

For outdoor gates, a true hold-open hinge will:

• Keeps the gate stable during loading, access, or passage
• Prevents wind-driven movement and uncontrolled swing-back
• Protects the hinge, latch, and gate frame from impact stress

This is why an integrated 90° hold-open is a must for this 3-foot outdoor gate application. It delivers a consistent stopping point without add-on hardware and allows the gate to return to controlled self-closing once released. And as a result, the hinge selection becomes even more narrow.

In The End, What Gate Hinges Actually Work for this 3 Foot Outdoor Gate

At this point, the requirements leave very little room for compromise. This is exactly where Waterson soft closing gate hinges with hold open fit the application—not by adding components, but by integrating control, durability, and compliance into a single hinge system.

Waterson gate hinges are engineered specifically for demanding exterior conditions and short-gate geometry:

• Stainless Steel: Built in 304 or 316 SST for high durability and corrosion resistance in moisture- or salt-exposed environments.
• ADA Compliance: Maintains required vertical clearance, limits opening force to ≤ 5 lbs, and provides controlled closing speed of ≥ 5 seconds for accessible pedestrian gates.
• Self Closing with Soft Closing Control: No bulky arms or cylinders that corrode or leak — ideal for exterior seaside areas.
• Black Finish (US19) that fits for a bold, modern, and minimalist design
• Heavy Weight Capability: Three hinges support up to 260 lbs; four hinges up to 330 lbs.
• Low Opening Force: ADA-friendly performance for high-traffic commercial use.
• Adjustable Closing Speed & Tension: Fine-tune close speed even as environmental conditions change.
• Heavy Duty: Tested to 1,000,000 cycles to BHMA A156.17 Grade 1 performance.
• Weather Cap: Add more durability for hinges to stand harsh conditions.
• Low Maintenance: No hydraulic fluid, no leaks, minimal service over long-term use.
• 5-Year Warranty: Backed by reliable coverage and service support.
• Wide Application: Proven performance in entrance gates, commercial spaces, offices, saunas, and other demanding environments

Together, these characteristics define a hinge system that does more than support a 3-foot outdoor gate. It controls movement, protects surrounding hardware, and maintains performance over time—which is ultimately what this application demands.

Small Notes on Waterson Hold Open Angle and Opening Limits

1. 90° Integrated Hold Open
   Waterson hinges are designed with a 90° integrated hold-open—not 120° or 180°—as this is the most stable position for outdoor gate applications.
2. Door and Gate Opening Range
   Waterson hinges can physically open up to 180°, but perform best within a 0°–120° swing range. Prolonged use beyond 120° increases wear, shortens service life, and is not covered under warranty.

Waterson Soft Closing Hold Open Gate Hinge for 3 Foot Gate

Waterson solf closing hold open gate hinges combine the function of an overhead closer and a hinge into a single, sleek component—complete with optional hold-open and door-stop features. Designed for commercial openings, gates, and glass doors, these hinges are easy to install and adjust to meet ADA and ICC A117.1 standards for opening force, while ensuring quiet and secure closure. Crafted from durable stainless steel, they are NFPA 80 compliant, UL 3-hour fire-rated, and built to perform reliably in both interior and all-weather exterior environments. See all our features.

In addition to these performance advantages, Waterson offers flexible customization services. As a direct manufacturer, we can tailor hinge sizes, finishes, and especially hinge leaf designs to meet the specific structural needs of your doors. This makes our hinges an ideal solution for door manufacturers seeking custom options that integrate seamlessly with their existing frames.

Request For Quote

Please note that Waterson closer hinges start from a size of 4″x4″. If you’re in need of smaller self-closing hinges, we’d recommend checking out some other resources! Also, we only provide single acting closer hinges. Thank you.

Recent Post