Source for driveway gate?

[TimberMan]

I am looking for recommended sources for a 16’ dual gate for my driveway (16’ opening size). I see lots of online options but would like to know if certain brands have higher quality than others.

BTW, I am not looking for ag style gates like at tractor supply.

Thx

 

[Codyboy]

Other than Ag/farm gates I have never seen ornamental type gates that you can just go and buy. Maybe they're out there but all the ones I've seen are custom made.
We got ours from a fence and gate company. They build them in house.
Sometimes these places do have gates they built just setting out but mostly custom orders.
Ours was someone elses order that they changed their mind or whatever. Got a very good deal on it too. I wanted 16ft but this gate was some odd ball 15'-3" , meh whatever it's a $1000 bucks cheaper ......
It was all turnkey , as they come out and dig a big hole about 4ft deep and probabaly 18" diameter , order a concrete truck and set the swingpost. Nice and plumb with lasers and cool stuff.
Then a few days later they bring all the stuff to hang the gate.

 

[Fortress68]

Just about every auction on the face of the planet sells decorate gates and fencing now, right next to the chinese mini skid steers and excavators. I am not sure if they come with opening devices, but in terms of having a ornate fence that can then be used with universal openers, I think they would be hard to beat. I have seen them with fabricated fish, deer, mountain, and star themes. I would search proxibid and see what is close to you.

 

[Jackfre]

Given that today little business is local, or so it seems, I think your best bet is to look around at local shops. Get an idea of what your want focusing not on the particular design, but on the strength of the sub-frame your artistry will support. If you don’t like the shops go to the local Voc-tech and speak to the instructor. He may have a wizard in the class. Local metal suppliers would be a good source for local fabricators. They are out there locally. Find them. Whatever you do, sink those support posts DEEP. I like Liftmaster for gate openers. The opener may be a good thing to buy from a dealer. it is depressing when the gate gives you the old, “Up yours…., and means it.”

 

[mikedodge]

Just about every auction on the face of the planet sells decorate gates and fencing now, right next to the chinese mini skid steers and excavators. I am not sure if they come with opening devices, but in terms of having a ornate fence that can then be used with universal openers, I think they would be hard to beat. I have seen them with fabricated fish, deer, mountain, and star themes. I would search proxibid and see what is close to you.

I was going to say the same thing. The most common things at every auction these days or places that clearly sell stuff from the same suppliers are those gates, mini excavators and that one style of heated pressure washer. Kinda funny when you see people trying to resell those items on marketplace at 3-4x the price lol

 

[NUTTSGT]

So, to be clear, no Ag gate, what about simple chain link or are you looking for something ornamental ?

 

[Tractorsellr]

Just about every auction on the face of the planet sells decorate gates and fencing now, right next to the chinese mini skid steers and excavators. I am not sure if they come with opening devices, but in terms of having a ornate fence that can then be used with universal openers, I think they would be hard to beat. I have seen them with fabricated fish, deer, mountain, and star themes. I would search proxibid and see what is close to you.

Every auction I go to has gates now

 

[eviltwin]

I recently installed a 14ft gate at my place. Went to the local metal supplier and picked ip the metal and made a gate. 2x2 framing with 3/4x3/4 pickets. Lift master hinges and US automatics patriot opener.

 

[TimberMan]

I recently installed a 14ft gate at my place. Went to the local metal supplier and picked ip the metal and made a gate. 2x2 framing with 3/4x3/4 pickets. Lift master hinges and US automatics patriot opener.

How much money do you have in it excluding the opener if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[TimberMan]

So, to be clear, no Ag gate, what about simple chain link or are you looking for something ornamental ?

I will need something somewhat ornamental but not over the top. It should not look like a country club neighborhood gate but be slightly elevated from a tractor supply type

 

[TimberMan]

I wonder how dimensionally stable a wooden gate would be if I made it from 4x4 or 4x6 using timber framing plates and bolts like the one below?

 

[Twisted Sid]

This guy might have one for sale soon.
Slightly used, just needs a little work.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/customer-destroyed-my-gate.555913/#post-11557739

 

[NUTTSGT]

I wonder how dimensionally stable a wooden gate would be if I made it from 4x4 or 4x6 using timber framing plates and bolts like the one below?

I would think how much moisture you have in the air along with the typical weather. I would think moisture would be the biggest factor in the wood being "unstable" or "moving". Cedar seems to a little more weather resistant than some other species, I believe.

If you have the skills/tools to fab up the plates, it's going to cut down on the cost of the gate.

 

[PWC Repair]

I wonder how dimensionally stable a wooden gate would be if I made it from 4x4 or 4x6 using timber framing plates and bolts like the one below?

That would be EASY for any welding/metal fab shop to build out of 1x3 or 2x3 steel.........then just 'FACE' it with wood to make it pretty. Then you don't have to worry about any non-stable wood in the actual frame.

 

[tarmy]

I made this one…26’ cantilevered gate about 36’ long…over800 lbs. took a few tries to get it stiff enough to slide smooth and not twist with temper swings from 0 to 100 degrees. If you can weld OP make it…I am a GJ weekend warrior and made this one.

 

[TimberMan]

I am leaning toward making my own gate, out of either steel or wood or both…so it will be heavy. The plan will be for a dual gate, each 8’ wide and for there to be decorative, brick columns. The question I now have is if such a heavy gate should secure its hinges into the masonry columns or should I secure the hinges to a steel post, then build the brick columns right next to them.

Thoughts? Thx!

 

[danfromsyr]

I wonder how dimensionally stable a wooden gate would be if I made it from 4x4 or 4x6 using timber framing plates and bolts like the one below?

Just a fyi, observation. The 45* angles in this gate are backwards.