How to measure for your wooden gate
This section is to provide you with the information needed to successfully order and install our wooden garden side gates or wooden driveway entrance gates by using our easy 'how-to steps'. Please remember we are a made to measure service so we will manufacture to what ever size you require.
When using the pricing guides on our website, the prices are per gate for any side gates and field gates unless its driveway gates which are priced for the pair (so the sizes shown are for overall). All prices show both inclusive and exclusive of v.a.t. which is currently set at 20%. If you have an in-between size, use the next size up for accurate pricing and then you can add you correct size required into the text box. If you do have an odd-size which cannot be based upon the current pricing guide then its always best to
email the order, or send a letter in writing to cover both parties from human error against sizes/styles etc. Don't hesitate to
contact us for any help, we are here to help you.
Step 1 - Choosing Your Gate
Firstly, you'll need to establish which style of gate you require from our website which meets your requirements. i.e. Flat top, Round Top, Swan Neck Top, Field Gate, Side Gate, etc. Please take your time in choosing as there are many different styles to choose from - always think about how practical the choice is for the future.
Step 2 - Posts or Wall Plates
You will then need to establish, do you need timber posts or wall plates? Wall plates are timber uprights which are bolted onto an existing wall / pillar / column allowing you to attach your hinges easily, and gives the option to add gate-stops.
Wall plates are normally 45mm or 70mm thick in most cases, (however we can machine bespoke sizes for you to suit any situation, i.e. if it needs to clear a water down pipe or plinth).
It sometimes helps to have the posts or wall plates installed 'prior' to ordering the gates, this then leaves a more accurate measurement to determine what size gate(s) are required, allowing for clearances. This option can only generally work for our local customers, that are willing to collect the posts / wall plates before-hand, otherwise we can send posts and wall plates out separately, but delivery charges will be charged accordingly.
Step 3 - Measure The Width
When measuring, its best to take measurements at two points, the top and the bottom. Sometimes, posts/walls/pillars are not always completely vertical or straight, so its up to you to determine which sizes you need to allow for. If its a case of 5-10mm then this is not really a huge issue, but we usually recommend using the adjustable hook & band style hinges to help even both sides upon installation.
Please note, different opening width's mean different sized hinges. Should the opening be large, you will need longer hinges to cater for this. Different sized 'hook & band' style hinges do have different sized width's on the hooks themselves, so you would not use a large hook on plate on a 45mm thick wall plate, as it will not fit.
All of the different sized hook & band hinges shown on our website describe the width of the 'hook on plate' themselves so you can check check for the wall plate that is best for the situation involved. We advise you check this out before anything. Any sized Tee-hinges, will fit on any wall plate or post.
Step 4 - Clearance Size
Please remember to allow clearance(s) for your gate(s). On a large pair of gates, we recommend to allow 25mm overall. This will leave approximately 8mm either side and 8mm in the closing centre.
Every pair of gates/doors are supplied with a centre-meeting closing strip to cover the centre gap so no need to worry. This allows one gate to slam onto the other and help keep them true to one another. For single gates we recommend to allow 15mm clearance overall. This will provide 7.5mm either side for clearance.
Please remember to allow for clearance underneath (also above if a cross bar is already existing or if there is anything that may obstruct the gate(s) to open and close i.e. fascia's, guttering etc).
Field gates (5-bar etc) do need to allow a different clearance and really depends on how the hinges will sit on the posts. If the hinges are to go in-between the two posts, then the distance between the gate and post (hinge side) usually sits at 120mm. Further clearance is then required for the catch end (your decision on this). If the hinges are to hang off the back of the posts you can near on have the gates flush with the posts, so all depends how you would like the hinges to act (on field gates).
Step 5 - Measuring The Height
When measuring for the height of the gate(s), it's normal to allow 50mm (2") from the ground level (highest point if sloped) to the height you need at the hanging side. Please make sure to allow clearance for any high spots in the ground as opening and closing them over these high spots may cause damage to the gate(s)/door(s) and can also buckle/damaged the ironwork i.e. hinges.
Step 6 - My Driveway Is Sloping?
If the driveway is sloping from front to rear or rear to front, the easiest way is to make sure the gates open away from the ground. Otherwise, (helpful tip) setting the hinges up offset between one another before hanging the gates, this will help raise the gates from the ground level as they open. Depending on how much you off-set the hinges, depends on how high you need the gates to raise. Please note that off-setting the hinges will show the gates are not vertical when fitted, so please bear this in mind.
