The important thing to remember is that the posts are hollow and on their own will not support either fence or gate. Gate posts need to be more substantial than other posts. If the concrete goes in the hole first concrete can be worked up into the post somewhat but this is not reliable so I would eliminate No1. A pressure treated wood insert (no. 2) works well but there needs to be gravel in the bottom of the hole as drainage to prevent rotting of the wood. I am not familiar with metal inserts but this could be more durable ask to see a demo: the strength needs to come from the insert and the vinyl just like a sleeve over it.

It actually was not complete in this picture. The fence is in the mountains in Los Gatos Ca.. Lots of wildlife and a lot of deer. See how the posts are extended in the picture, 2' above the top rails (2x4s) we installed black vinyl barb-less wire every foot to the top which is 8'. I do not have a picture of when we finished that part of this fence as I just looked. Here is some information that is interesting: we could have run the wire 3' above the solid Howard wire fence. A deer will not jump through an opening. Ill attach a pic of a true deer fence. 8' is the magic number. I build a lot of vineyard fences and deer will get over a 7' fence if they see something that looks tasty. A true deer fence galvanized is what is called graduated wire. The holes on the bottom are 2x4"s and as it gets higher the hole size graduates to 3"x 3" the 5"x 5"s. And you dig down about 6"s and bury the wire in the ground. A trick I picked up in the hole we cut the wire on the bottom of the fence every few inches and pull it away from the fence in the hole. It keeps rabbits and other critters from digging. Once they hit the sharp side of the wire they give up fast. It really does work. The bottom pic is another fence with barb-less wire on top. Dogs will not jump that fence with the barb-less wire and a squirrel, well as you know a squirrel can get into about anything it wants. Their squirrely..lol. When you see an animal climbing across a telephone wire....they go where they want. There is another method for keeping squirrels out but its not a fence. This is a 6' welded wire fence to keep dogs and small animals in or out. But deer will jump it with ease. The fence below has barb-less wire as the first fence had. Click on the picture to see the barb-less wire. By extending the tops 2" you can turn a 6' horse fence into an 8' deer fence. Using welded wire as shown in another post on top. As for snakes the only thing I have find that works in the 30 years is snake wire. Thanks for pointing that out in the pic. Have a wonderful life!

Nancy, Yes, we have some serious wind! The fence has 6" panels with 1/2" spaces. I think the main problem is that these panels are attached to 2x3 vinyl cross pieces, but none of it is reinforced except at the ends for attaching screws. I haven't had trouble since I inserted wood 2x3s inside the cross pieces. I also didn't use the vinyl alone to support any hardware. Now it is more like a wood gate with vinyl covering. Much better! --Kris

Leave a clear space just inside the fence and use vines on the fence to provide privacy in that area immediately inside the gate. I looked for pictures of out gate that opens our gate that opens outward (the north alley gate) to try to show what we did. The 'man door' at the back of the garage opens into the alley just inside the gate too so the clear space provides access to that door as well as space for moving the lawn mower or snow blower etc. in/out of the garage through that door. Some pictures: In early May - you can see the basic space a bit better before everything leafs out...: In July - from outside the gate - with clematises in bloom: Looking from the road when the clematises are in bloom: Maybe something like that could work for you...?