Old streets and new estates need different gates
On older streets the gap may be set by existing walls or buildings, and the gate has to fit what is there. That often means a single leaf made to measure, with careful attention to the posts or fixings on either side. A shop-bought size rarely fits an old opening exactly, so allow for a gate built to suit it. We will happily measure on site so nothing is guessed.
On later estates, boundaries are more regular and panel sizes are standard, so a gate can often be dropped into a panel run with a neat result. The posts still need to be stronger than the panel posts beside them. Whatever the setting, the gate should look as if it belongs to the fence it sits in.
Matching width to use
People tend to choose a gate by eye, then find it is too narrow for a bin or a barrow. A better way is to check the real items. Wheelie bins, a pushchair, a mower and a bicycle each have different needs, and the widest decides the opening. A single leaf is enough for most, while a double gate helps when a larger machine or a load of timber has to come through.
Allow room on the swing side. A gate against a wall or planter that cannot open fully is a daily nuisance. If space is limited, consider a narrower leaf or a pair of smaller leaves, which need less sweep. Remember that a wide single gate is heavier and can drop over time unless it is braced well. Talk it over with whoever uses the gate most, since their needs matter most.
Hinges, latches and keeping it square
A braced frame, a heavy hanging post set in concrete and strong hinges are the foundation of a gate that lasts. The brace runs up from the hinge end to the latch end, keeping the leaf square. Latches should have a solid keeper and work easily from either side, so everyone remembers to close the gate. These simple points are easy to include when the gate is first built.
For the finish, match the height and style of the fence beside it, and treat the timber before fitting. Cut ends take up water first, so seal them. Leave a gap beneath the bottom rail so the leaf clears the ground in all weathers, and check it again each year as timber moves.
Quick tips
- On an old opening, expect to have a gate made to measure, because standard sizes seldom fit exactly.
- Check the real items you move, such as bins, pushchairs and mowers, and let the widest set the opening.
- Make sure the leaf can open fully on the swing side without hitting a wall, planter or step.
- Seal cut ends, use a braced frame and check the clearance under the gate once a year.
If you need a garden gate in Wednesbury, WS10, ring us or send a photo of the fence and where it is. We also work in Tipton and West Bromwich. You will get straight advice from us, and there is never any pressure to go ahead.
Frequently asked questions
Why might an old opening need a made-to-measure gate?
On older streets the gap is often set by existing walls or buildings, and a shop-bought size rarely fits exactly. A single leaf made to measure, with care over the posts or fixings either side, is common in Wednesbury, and we can measure on site.
Does a wide single gate sag?
It can. A wide single leaf is heavier and may drop over time unless it is braced well and hung from a heavy post set in concrete. A pair of smaller leaves is another option, and needs less sweep to open.
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