Side passage or drive
Suburban plots usually have one of two arrangements. A side passage between house and boundary is often narrow, so a single leaf hung neatly is the usual answer. A drive or wider access may call for a double gate, which lets you open both leaves for a trailer or a wheeled load and use a single leaf for daily comings and goings. Mark the opening on the ground with a stick if you are unsure.
Before settling on a style, walk the route. Where do the bins stand? Is there a step or a drain cover near the opening? Is the path level? These details decide whether a gate swings freely. A gate that clears the ground only when shut will catch the first time you open it, so check the whole arc and not just the closed position.
Choosing a width
Work backwards from the largest thing you carry through. A wheelie bin is wider than most people think once you account for the handle and your hands, and a barrow needs room for the wheel as well as the sides. A mower with a wide deck needs more again. Add a little spare width so nothing needs to be turned or lifted. Think about who else uses the gate, such as delivery staff or a gardener.
If you are replacing an old gate, do not copy its size without thinking. Many gates in suburban streets were sized for people on foot long before bins on wheels and larger tools arrived. Widening the opening slightly is usually not difficult when the posts are being replaced anyway, and it makes daily use easier.
Build, bracing and matching
A strong gate has a framed leaf, a diagonal brace rising from the hinge side towards the latch, and heavy posts at the hanging end. Hinges and bolts should be sized to the weight, with a latch that closes firmly. Spend a little more on the ironwork and a gate will keep working long after the finish needs refreshing. It is a modest cost for a lot of extra life.
Keep the style simple and in tune with the fence. Same height, same board pattern and a matching finish make it look planned from the road. A solid gate hides bins and the side of the house, while a gate with gaps feels lighter in a front garden. Choose by use first and appearance second.
Quick tips
- Walk the route first and note steps, drain covers and bin positions near the opening before choosing a width.
- Use a double gate on a drive, with a single leaf for everyday use and both open for larger loads.
- Do not copy an old gate size without checking it suits bins, barrows and mowers you use now.
- Spend a little extra on hinges and bolts, because strong ironwork keeps a gate square for years.
For a garden gate in Yardley, B25 or B26, call us or send a photo and the fence location, and we will talk through the options. We also work in Acocks Green and Stechford. There is no pressure, only plain advice.
Frequently asked questions
Should I copy the size of my old gate when replacing it?
Not without thinking. Many gates on suburban streets were sized for people on foot, before wheelie bins and larger tools arrived. If the posts are being replaced anyway, widening the opening slightly in Yardley is usually not difficult and makes daily use easier.
What should I check before choosing a gate for a side passage or drive?
Walk the route first. Note where the bins stand, and look for steps, drain covers and uneven paths near the opening. A gate that clears the ground only when shut will catch when opened, so check the whole arc.
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