Entrance/Electric gate dimensions

Faiche Ro

Hi, my builder is due to start building my entrance (once the lock down is over) and i have a question regarding the dimensions.....

Has anyone any experience installing electric gates - is there a particular dimension that is standard size for gates (i.e 3.5 or 4 meter entrance)?

Im trying to avoid the scenario where i increase the width of the opening because i think it looks better but it turns out i'll need custom gates.....Or are most gates custom made anyway?


Thanks

ec_pc

I always assumed that electric gates were custom built regardless of whether they slide or open inwards. We designed our entrance to look they way we wanted and then put the granite piers in place, we didn't really work by measuring it to be a certain width.

We just got our electric gate installed on Monday, we were advised on a canti-lever initially but didn't have sufficient slide space so we went with a traditional slider on wheels / track. They simply measured the gap and custom built the gate to the required dimensions. This is about 5 meters in our case. I didn't get into cost differences between say 4 m or 5m, I was happy with their price and went with it.

For me it was important the gate / entrance looks pleasing to the eye and takes into account how it fits with the surroundings - height, distance from road, driveway size, height relevant to piers and fence etc. Once it's put in that's it, you are hardly going to replace it ever! Also consider the width, we have always had wide entrances which is generally handy for larger vehicles (ie skip lorry etc)

Edit : I meant to say are there any planning stipulations regarding the entrance? Ours had to be so many meters wide at roadside as we live on a lane and the gate had to be at least 3.5 meters back from the edge of the road. That is the only measurement we did.

BryanF

Your planning permission dictates the setback and size of the gate width pillar to pillar. Consult the certifier signing off on planning permission.

Gumbo

Faiche Ro wrote: »

Hi, my builder is due to start building my entrance (once the lock down is over) and i have a question regarding the dimensions.....

Has anyone any experience installing electric gates - is there a particular dimension that is standard size for gates (i.e 3.5 or 4 meter entrance)?

Im trying to avoid the scenario where i increase the width of the opening because i think it looks better but it turns out i'll need custom gates.....Or are most gates custom made anyway?


Thanks

What does your planning say about the entrance width as the only thing that restricts it is the planning.

Pfiw

Hi ...Don't go crazy with the width 12 to 13 feet is generally plenty ....Try to keep the height half of the width to keep the proportion s right ..12 foot opening 6 foot high ...Too wide the gate looks stretched out .....
If you like wrought iron gates you can do a pair of swing gates .Easy automate ....If timber preferred better with a sliding gate as the wind can effect the swing gates if completely sheeted over ...(sail effect ....)
Hope this helps ...
Best of luck ...

tedimc

I went with a 4 meter entrance, but old entrance was close to that anyway. I widened it a little due to it being a little tight when pulling in with trailer, etc.

I got an electric sliding gate, custom made. I would go for a sliding gate, unless you are getting a relatively light swing gate.

I full agree with the height to width ratio - and how that affects your pillars and wall/pill height at road.

For example, our pillars are 2m tall at gate, but the wing walls curve out and slope down to 1m at the road. This is to aid visibility when pulling out and to not have the wall seem too big.