Hello all,
I want to install a driveway gate. My driveway is 12 feet across. This does not need to be heavy duty. It is mainly to keep my kids and dogs from running onto the road. I thought about one of those aluminum farm fence gates, but the kids could climb through the gaps. I would like it to have a wheel, so I can easily move it to move the car out of the driveway. Any ideas/plans would be appreciated.
TIA,
R.(p.s. I live in an area that lots of snow!)
I recently put in a chainlink driveway swing gate, bought used for $50. The crucial challenge was setting up a top pivot that doesn't wobble under heavy strain. Then even a relatively heavy gate moves easily.
A driveway gate is an engineering problem, like a bridge. The best solution depends on the site:
Sloped or rough driveway? Then swing gate with wheels is difficult.
Long fence in line with gate? Then gate on tracks is possible. Nevermind the snow! Know any welders?
Gate set in from road? Then wide swing (out) won't get into traffic.
Anything solid (very solid) at top pivot? This is key to gate operation. You may have to use concrete and metal if there's no sturdy fence corner where the top pivot goes.
Hi there,
thanks for the info. Where exactly can you buy a used chain link gate? Do you think my husband would be able to build one? No, I don't know any welders, lol....how can they help? We plan on building a fence on the one side for the gate to attach to. The other side has a brick retaining wall running along the driveway. It would swing in to the left from the road, so no worries about traffic.
R. in Ontario
Do you want a 12' wide gate or 2 - 6' gates?
The smaller gates are lighter, do not have to be as stiff and do not need as much width in the ground, but need the same depth if you want a relatively premanent stable post/gate.
Dick
Originally Posted by chompersmama
Where exactly can you buy a used chain link gate?
Mine: Craigslist. Sometimes people want to dispose of these things.
Originally Posted by chompersmama
Do you think my husband would be able to build one?
Some special tools are needed, plus every metal gate I've seen was welded.
Originally Posted by chompersmama
We plan on building a fence on the one side for the gate to attach to. The other side has a brick retaining wall running along the driveway. It would swing in to the left from the road, so no worries about traffic.
On the latch side, you don't need anything very sturdy. It's the hinge side that takes lateral strain... in two directions (open and shut). Therefore, unless you have a concrete column or garage wall there, a strong fence corner (two directions) is necessary. I can't visualise your yard driveway layout, so I can't picture how the gate might tie in with things.
It won't benefit from a wheel unless the pivot is floppy or the gate sags.. in other words it was built poorly. In fact the gate will swing better without a wheel.
A double swing does split the load, but then you need fairly sturdy pivots on both sides. Also, the latching is more complex and you'll spend twice as long opening it for a car.
Buy a tubular farm gate and cover with welded wire fence fabric. (2x2 in. squares or 2x4 in. rectangles). Good luck with your project.
Hey,
I really love this forum. You guys are so helpful! I want it to be just one 12 foot gate, that would be easier when bringing the car in and out. I will try to find a pic of the driveway!
R
ONE twelve foot wide gate will put about 6 or 7 times as much straian on the post as a 6 foot wide gate would. If it were me, I'd go for two 6' wide gate panels and spend an extra 30 seconds getting them open.
Grab a 5 lb. weight in your hand and hold it right up against your shoulder, with your elbow bent. You'll hold it there forever. Now, extend your arm out a foot from your shoulder -- how long can you hold it?? (That's the 6' gate panel.) Now extend your arm out completely level and see how long you hold that 5# weight. THAT is a single 12' panel.
Yup. I've seen many badly executed gate supports, propped up with more heavy stuff and still leaning. A free-standing post or fence-end is really inappropriate! It's like putting weight on this:
/ --falls over.
That is why we use a triangle:
/\ --put weight on that, it's stable. Sound engineering does not rely on brute mass.
A well-built fence corner serves nicely.
Ok, I think you guys convinced me it will be two 6 ft gates instead of one 12 ft. One thing my husband hates is doing anything twice, so we might as well do it right the first time!
thanks again for your great advice!
Love this website!
Tags: ideas, driveway, gate, wide gate, fence corner, from road, Originally Posted, Originally Posted chompersmama, Posted chompersmama, able build, about traffic, along driveway, along driveway would, along driveway would swing
