Need help: How would you go about installing a gate in archway?

[ptgarcia]

My house has a patio area off the front porch between the front wall of the house and an arched architectural element about 20' away from it, even with the garage doors. With the prevalence of Porch Pirates and solicitors I'd like to fence the area off to keep undesireables out and also to create a secure area where the dog can run around and the family can enjoy. Obviously, I will need a gate to access the front door, but I'm not sure how to accomplish this when the arch begins about 3' above ground level. There isn't enough plumb wall to **** a full height post against.

The arch itself is about 10' wide and 8' high at the highest point and is likely wood framed and hollow inside and is roughly 12" thick. Outside finish is stucco, and the surface all around is concrete. I don't want to fill the opening completely, just put up a 5' high fence with a 4'-5' wide gate in the center. For the (2) fence posts I was going to use post anchors bolted to the concrete.

My question is, how would you secure the begin and end of the fence to the side of the arch? Or do you have any other design ideas? I'm trying to do the work myself which means I pretty much have to do it out of wood. I've had two fence companies give me an estimate for wrought iron, one was $5,000 the other $8,000. That did include a 15' straight shot to close off the side, also, but I can build a fence for less than half than that. So, any thoughts?

 

[rlitman]

I don't know how you'd do that in wood, and make it look good, but I'll be watching this thread. To my eye, wrought iron would look so much more appropriate.

Nice rain chain BTW.

 

[Ditch]

Sliding door on the inside?

 

[michael Mccoy]

You must do it in wrought iron but why 5 grand? Can you do the wrought iron yourself? got to match the side fence.

 

[tjdux]

Anchor posts to the concrete floor. A short semi curved on on each edge and then a taller on on the perimeters of the gate. Mount the gate hardware to oje of the taller posts then just run your fence from big ti small post.

The idea of buikding it all behind the arch also seems pretty simple and easy as well.

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[Ditch]

Anchor posts to the concrete floor. A short semi curved on on each edge and then a taller on on the perimeters of the gate. Mount the gate hardware to oje of the taller posts then just run your fence from big ti small post.

The idea of buikding it all behind the arch also seems pretty simple and easy as well.

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Tapatalk fail

 

[cvairwerks]

Make the gate portion a pair of 3 foot doors and make the rest of the area hard paneled. Hide the posts for the gate panels in the side panels. Think French doors with small sidelights, but build them in the style of an old mission or castle.

 

[tjdux]

Tapatalk fail

Yes my autocorret sometimes replaces properly spelled words with misspellings and/or i just dont pay close enough attention. Its super annoying and i apologize for being that guy.

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[ItsNemo]

Wood is easy, two posts at the 1/3rd and 2/3rd's points, door goes between that. The rest gets wood fence style boarding cut to height with appropriate curve at the top.

 

[ptgarcia]

Sliding door on the inside?

I thought about that, but the door would have to be 10'+ wide because there is only room to slide one way. The door would end up being huge!

You must do it in wrought iron but why 5 grand? Can you do the wrought iron yourself? got to match the side fence.

Why 5 grand is what I asked, too. This is California, and that's what it costs. What I paid for that house and it's little 10,000 s.f. lot would have bought me 20 acres or more elsewhere. And those quotes were not even anything decorative, just plane horizontal and vertical bars. Unfortunately, I have no idea how nor the equipment to work wrought iron.

The idea of buikding it all behind the arch also seems pretty simple and easy as well.

That's an option I have considered, also. Then I could set (4) posts and go. I may have to revisit that idea and get my wife on board.

Wood is easy, two posts at the 1/3rd and 2/3rd's points, door goes between that. The rest gets wood fence style boarding cut to height with appropriate curve at the top.

Are you thinking post and rail type fence? How would you secure the rails at the wall?

 

[rlitman]

Yes my autocorret sometimes replaces properly spelled words with misspellings...

LOL. I once watched autocorrect change email to enail. WTH is up with that?!?

 

[garage rookie]

I would take 1/4 inch osb or whatever and make a pattern to match the arch. Get some 2x2's and make your bars cutting them to length needed. Run "bars"(2x2's) across for supports and looks. Look at wrought iron hinges and maybe figure out a similar hinge to make it work. Attach hinges where your cross bars are and paint it all black. At least that is what this redneck would do...lol.

 

[LB-1911]

Give this site a look
http://ifenceusa.com/stylegallery.p...IwELZxV98nqPbXCSXz3VWOjSg0kvqQ4UsWhoCxOrw_wcB

 

[Git]

...is likely wood framed and hollow inside and is roughly 12" thick.

First of all you need to find out EXACTLY what you have. Is it framed or is it concrete blocks?

If it is framed - the only thing that comes to mind short of cutting it open to add support is to scribe a board/post to closely fit the existing arch. Then use something like large toggle bolts and construction glue to attach these end boards to the existing structure and then you can build off of that. With the gate in the middle, there really shouldn't be much stress/movement at the ends

 

[Milton Shaw]

I would suggest making a pattern out of osb/plywood and then having some metal shop roll something like a 2x2 iron rail in two pieces to match the arch and then attach them to the floor and join them in the middle of the arch and they could be self supporting and then make an attractive gate in iron to fit the rest of the arch. Stucco itself of plaster over wood/mesh would not support any weight and that is why I would suggest the rolled metal frame to carry the weight. The stucco frame work would be strong enough to keep the arch frame upright if its weight was carried to the ground and supported by mounting plates.

 

[dogdog]

You can always say make about 2.5' of each side a permanent fence.... the remaining 5' the gate... how ever you want to swing it.... Then use the suggestion from Milton Shaw and template your arch and build a gate that fits the opening.... easier to build that 5' gate than a 10' swing or sliding gate. I don't think you are using that entrance for any automotive things anyways.... 5' is plenty for a fat guy to move in and out.

If you are handy with your welding skills, I think most local metal supplier have pre-punched channels for your square bars in different size....
Probably material wise would be about $1000 to $2000 ish... sorry haven't look at latest pricing.


On line wise I always check with kingsmetal. Price is good, shipping is not. They do have a place in los angeles....

 

[PoorOwner]

Have you looked into using these? 4 foot tall behind the arch.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Allure-A...-Rail-Fence-Sections-4-Pack-482EBL4/100491515

 

[rsanter]

Step 1. Learn to weld
Step 2. Build it yourself

Alternate plan
Go buy lots of beer and food
Bribe a GJ member that is near you that knows how to weld

Bob

 

[rlitman]

Step 1. Learn to weld
Step 2. Build it yourself...

Well, if you're looking for an excuse to get a welder, this is actually a fairly good choice for a starter project.

 

[blacksporty]

I had a mission style wood gate built...could be a nice DIY project if you have the skills and time. PM me and I will send you some pics if you want.

 

[Ditch]

Yes my autocorret sometimes replaces properly spelled words with misspellings and/or i just dont pay close enough attention. Its super annoying and i apologize for being that guy.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

How is Tapatalk supposed to be better than just postin straight on your phone?
I've never used it and really never saw it until I saw all the "Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk" stuff on this site.

No need to apologize either.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I wish there was a Kings Metal near by. The material cost is DIRT cheap compared to local. But a shipping quote of $50 to $100 is the closest she would give me. I may as well just screwed locally...

 

[6768rogues]

I would put in a center swinging gate with a stationary but removable panel on each side of it.

 

[dogdog]

Have you looked into using these? 4 foot tall behind the arch.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Allure-A...-Rail-Fence-Sections-4-Pack-482EBL4/100491515

These are flimsy, a little baby can drop kick it and bend / break it.

 

[tjdux]

How is Tapatalk supposed to be better than just postin straight on your phone?
I've never used it and really never saw it until I saw all the "Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk" stuff on this site.

No need to apologize either.

uploading Photos is really easy and i have more than 1 site/fourm in 1 place. Also some websites like woodworkers fourm are absolutely terrible on mobile web but decent on taptalk.

It really has nice, efficent flow for me personally.

Also sorry for hijacking the thread.

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[rayra]

Make the gate portion a pair of 3 foot doors and make the rest of the area hard paneled. Hide the posts for the gate panels in the side panels. Think French doors with small sidelights, but build them in the style of an old mission or castle.

essentially that. But how do mail & packages get delivered and stay secured?

 

[NUTTSGT]

How close are you to JacK Olsen ? That guy has made some seriously nice stuff in his small garage. Maybe he can help you out ?

 

[ard]

Want to learn how to weld? Prolly cut that 8k in half, AND get to keep a sweet little wire feed welder...

Check out King Supply... http://www.kingmetals.com/Catalog/Catalog.aspx?CatalogId=c39

I've used them for more of the heavy structural stuff (not the decorative wrought iron) but looking through their catalogs, it became clear that using their pre-formed stuff you could make some really interesting things.

 

[rockettgpw]

The sliding door idea for inside the arch could have the door 1/3 fixed and 2/3 sliding and when closed would look like a full door. This would lighten it and reduce the track length Could still do a mission style with wrought iron accents for the handles and window/peephole grill bars.

 

[TheLurker]

@ptgarcia, did you ever solve your gate problem?

 

[6768rogues]

Mount the gate flush with the side where the gate will swing out. Put an anchor point on the hinge side above where the top of the gate will be. Then use a cable or chain from that anchor point to the top of the gate. It will provide a hinging point to support the top of the gate.

 

[kbs2244]

Yours is more a style than a build question.
They have been putting gates in archways for over a 1000 years.
Do a good search for PICs.

As far as delivery access, I would think of a top hinged, ground level, gate within the gate.
Like a one way pet door.
A strong magnet should frustrate even the smartest dog.

 

[ptgarcia]

@ptgarcia, did you ever solve your gate problem?

Nope. Everything that looked good was just too expensive. I still want to do something, but we have higher priority projects that need to be completed first.

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