How to Measure Wrought Iron Gates

Gates come in many shapes and sizes.

Wrought iron gates come in varying sizes, shapes and designs. You may need to measure wrought iron gates to give an accurate description if moving or selling the gates. Also, if you plan to install the gates on your own entranceway to your property you'll need to measure properly to ensure the gates will fit. Or if you plan install a gated entrance, the measurements can be useful in building the actual support columns or poles that will hold the gates in place.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape

Instructions

1. Position the tip of the measuring tape on one end of the gate.

2. Pull the measuring tape out slowly until the other end of the measuring tape hits the other end of the gate. This is the width of the gate.

3. Position the tip of the tape at the highest point of the gate and pull the measuring tape until it reaches the bottom of the gate. This is the height of the gate.

4. Use the measuring tape to measure the width of each hinge. Add this width to the width of the gate itself to determine the total length of the gate when it is installed.

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the other gate if you are using a two-door gate. Add the width of the first gate to the width of the second gate to get the total length the gate needs to fit in place and to open and close properly.

6. Use the measuring tape to measure the distance between the inside edge of one gate pole or column to the inside edge of the other gate pole or column. The gate width should not exceed this measurement.

Tips & Warnings

• If your gate will have hinge attachments connected directly to the columns or support poles, be sure to measure the width of these hinges to assist in getting a proper measurement.

• The height measurement is optional but useful if there will be a beam or roof over the gates or if you want the gate height to match the height of a connected fence or wall.

References

• National Gateworks; Measuring Gates; 2004