Garden Gates in Devon

Garden and side gates that fit the gap

A gate gets used more than any other part of a fence, so it has to be made well and hung on posts that won’t move. We build and fit timber garden gates and side gates to suit the opening you’ve actually got, which is rarely a standard size on older Devon houses, and finish them to match the fence around them.

Who it suits

Side passages that need to be secure but easy to get bins through
Back gardens where a dog or children need to be kept in
Front gardens wanting a tidy, welcoming entrance
Replacing a dropped or rotten gate that no longer latches

At a glance

Typical job: usually a day, including new posts if needed
Included: measuring, the gate, posts, hinges, latch and any lock you choose, clear-up
Styles: ledged and braced, framed, curved top, matching close board or panel
Price: given after a free site visit

What makes a gate last

Gates fail when the hanging post moves or the frame racks out of square. We use a solid hanging post, a braced frame set the right way round so it carries the weight, and hinges sized for the gate rather than whatever is in the van. The result is a gate that still closes cleanly years later.

What separates a well hung gate from a cheap one

The brace: it should climb from the bottom hinge up to the latch side, holding the frame up. Fitted the other way, the gate sags on its own weight, and we still see plenty hung like that.
The hanging post: it takes all the leverage every time the gate opens, so make it the strongest post in the run. A standard fence post reused for the job is often why a gate has dropped.
The gap underneath: enough clearance for the timber to swell in a wet winter and for the ground to rise a little. Tight in August can mean stuck in January.
The ironwork: sized for how heavy the gate is and with a finish that suits the air it lives in. Close to the sea, cheap plated hinges can show rust in their first couple of years.

The gaps you find on Devon houses

Terraces in Dawlish and Teignmouth often have a narrow passage or a rear lane where a gate has to clear a bin and still open fully against a wall. Older cottages rarely have square openings, so one side of the frame may need scribing to a wall that leans. On hillside streets the path often climbs through the opening, which is where a gate either scrapes or has to be cut and hung to clear it.

Wind is the other local problem. A side passage works like a funnel, and on an exposed road a gate left on the latch will slam itself loose over a winter. A drop bolt, a stop or a stronger catch costs little compared with rehanging the whole thing, so we’ll talk about that when we measure up.

From measuring up to the final swing

We measure the opening and agree style, height and fittings
Written quote
Posts set, gate built and hung, latch and lock fitted
Final adjustment so it swings and shuts properly, then clear-up

Gate questions we often hear

Can you fit a gate into my existing fence?

Yes, as long as there is room for a sound hanging post. We’ll check the fence either side on the visit.

Can I have a lock on it?

Yes. We can fit a lockable latch or a padlock-ready hasp, whichever suits how you use the gate.

Do you make driveway gates too?

We do. Larger entrance gates are covered on our gates and access page, and you can see a recent one in our timber driveway gate project.

How wide should a side gate be for bins?

Measure your largest bin first, wheels included, then allow room for your hands either side. Around 900mm is comfortable for most houses, although an old passage may not give you that much.

Which way should the gate open?

Normally into the garden, and away from a slope if there is one, so it never swings across a pavement or lane. We check how it opens against walls, steps and bins before anything gets built.

Is there a height limit on a front gate?

A new gate beside a road used by vehicles can generally be up to one metre high without permission, and up to two metres elsewhere. Listed buildings and some conservation areas differ, so check with the council if that applies to your home.

Need a gate for the side of the house or the end of the garden? Let us know how wide the gap is and what sits either side of it, with a photo if there’s one handy, and we’ll come and measure up properly. Our Dawlish and Teignmouth pages say more about working in those towns.

See also: Garden Gates in Kingsteignton