Timber Driveway Gates

What it is

A driveway gate closes a vehicle opening. In timber this is most often a pair of leaves meeting in the middle, because two leaves handle a wide opening better than one.

Driveway gates carry more weight and see more use than a pedestrian gate, so the posts, hinges and framing all step up accordingly.

The gates are built to match the fence they sit in, so the boundary reads as one continuous face across the driveway.

Style and finish

Built to match single paling, lap & cap, lapped only or hardwood single paling fencing. Painted finishes and lattice or decorative top panels can be built where that suits the property.

What we work out on site

• The full width of the driveway opening at the point the gates will sit
• The fall and crossfall of the driveway, which sets the gap under the gates and whether they will foul the surface as they swing
• Which way the gates swing, and whether a vehicle, wall or planting limits the clearance
• Where the gates sit relative to the footpath and the street
• Whether the gates need to be lockable, and how they are held open and closed
• Whether automation might be added later, since that affects how the opening is set out

Hardware

• Gate posts for a driveway opening are sized and concreted for the load, because they carry heavy leaves that move constantly.
• Hinges are selected for the weight of the leaves and the width of the opening.
• Drop bolts hold one leaf while the other swings, and stops keep the leaves from over-swinging.