Gates
Gates that still swing true in five years.
Single, double and driveway gates, built to match the fence. The frame, the hinges and the latch are where cheap gates fail, so that is where we spend the money.
- A real frame2x4 cedar frame with a diagonal brace, so the gate cannot rack.
- Heavy hardwareGalvanized or black powder-coated hinges and latches sized for the weight of the gate, not the cheapest ones on the shelf.
- A deeper postThe gate post carries the load, so it goes deeper in concrete than the rest of the fence.
Single gates
Side yard and garden gates, 3 to 4 ft wide, built from the same boards as the fence so they disappear into it. Flat top, arched top or a lattice panel to match a lattice fence. A proper latch, and a drop bolt where you want it to stay put.
Driveway and double gates
Openings from 8 to 14 ft, two or three hinged leaves, with wheels on the leaves where the ground calls for it. We cross-brace every leaf and hang them on 4x4 or 6x6 posts set deep, so they close square year after year.
Arched gates and entry arbors
An arched gate under a cedar arbor turns a side path into a front entrance. We cut the arch from solid cedar, not plywood, and build the arbor on the same posts as the fence. More on arbors and structures.
Gates on composite, vinyl and aluminum fences
Composite and vinyl gates get an aluminum frame, because the boards alone are not stiff enough. Aluminum gates come as part of the fence system. For commercial lots we also build and repair chain-link gates on galvanized posts. Either way the hardware is heavier than you would think it needs to be, on purpose.
Recent work
Our own work, around Greater Vancouver.
Questions we get asked
Straight answers. Ask us anything else on the site visit.
Why do gates sag?
Weight and weather. A gate hangs off one post, and over the years the frame racks and the post leans. We build the frame with a diagonal brace, hang it on heavy hinges, and set the gate post deeper in concrete than the rest of the fence. That is why ours still swing true years later.
Can you match my existing fence?
Usually, yes. We match the board width, the height and the cap style, and we use the same cedar. New cedar is lighter than weathered cedar for the first year, then it catches up.
How wide can a driveway gate be?
We have built openings up to 13 ft with three hinged leaves. Wider than that, we add wheels or talk about a sliding gate. The site visit is where we work it out.
What does a gate cost?
A single cedar gate on a new fence is usually $340 to $575. Double and driveway gates run $1,900 to $2,300 in cedar, more in composite or aluminum. The estimator on our home page gives you a range with the fence.
Tell us about your project
A few details and a couple of phone photos are enough. We reply the same day during business hours.
- Free site visit, no obligation
- Written quote with drawings within 48 hours
- One price, no add-ons on the invoice
- 2-year warranty on the work
Prefer to talk? Call or text (604) 265-4556