Supporting a Driveway Gate

Driveway gates take a lot of abuse.

Driveway gates can be difficult to build strongly because they are so wide. The pressure on a gate post is determined by the length and weight of the gate that is hanging on it, so a driveway gate exerts much more pressure on the post than the gate for a pedestrian walkway. One way to avoid this excessive leverage on the post is to make a set of double gates with two posts, each of which is supporting a gate only half the width of the driveway.

Instructions

1. Make the post that holds up the driveway gate as strong as possible. There are several factors that influence the strength of the post, including the depth to which it is sunk in the ground, the materials it is made of, its weight and whether it is supported from outside. Strengthen a post by attaching it to another post on the other side of the driveway that passes over the driveway, above where traffic goes through.

2. Reduce the risk of the gate sagging by attaching a brace or wire that extends from the top corner on the hinged side to the bottom corner on the latch side. A gate that consists only of square elements is subject to racking and bending. Including this horizontal brace introduces triangulation into the gate and helps to keep its shape.

3. Attach the gate to the post with very strong hinges. Take the width and weight of the gate into account when deciding on what hinges to use. They will be under a lot of stress, especially if the gate is used frequently. Don't skimp on the hinges or you will soon have gate problems.

4. Install a strong post with a latch on the opening side of the gate. Position the latch so that, when the gate is closed and latched, the latch is supporting that side of the gate vertically. This will take the pressure off the hinges whenever the gate is closed, and prolong its life.

5. Attach a wheel to the bottom of the gate on the side that swings open and closed. This method will only work well if the gate is on a smooth, paved driveway. A wheel on a flat surface can virtually eliminate the lateral stress that is exerted by the gate on the hinges and post.

References

• Gateway Farm Alpacas: How to Hang a Gate
• CornerHardware.com: How to Build and Hang a Gate