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One of the most common questions we get is about gate widths. Folks aren’t always sure what gate options we offer and what width they need for their project. So I thought I would put something together going over some common gate widths and what size your project may require.
This article is only going to focus on yard or pedestrian gates. There will be a separate article coming later dealing exclusively with driveway gate width options.
Single Gate vs Double Gate
There are two types of walk gates: single and double.
A single gate is a one-piece gate leaf. So a 4ft single gate means its one 4ft wide gate leaf. The arched gate in the image at the start of this article is a single gate.
A double gate is comprised of two smaller gate leafs to make a larger gate. So an 8ft double gate means that its made up of two single 4ft wide gate leafs to make the larger 8ft opening. Below is an image of a 4×8 double gate:
What Gate Width Options are Available?
The gate widths we offer will vary based on the style and material you are looking at. Some of our newer styles like Hoop and Picket have less gate options available than our main Classic style. Here is a quick rundown of the widths available by style and materials:
STRONGHOLD IRON
4ft Wide Single Gate – All Stronghold Iron styles and grades
4ft Arched Single Gate – Classic only
5ft Wide Single Gate – All Stronghold Iron styles and grades
6ft Wide Single Gate – Classic only
8ft Wide Double Gate – All Stronghold Iron styles and grades
10ft Wide Double Gate – All Stronghold Iron styles and grades
12ft Wide Double Gate – Classic only
INFINITY ALUMINUM
4ft Wide Single Gate – All Infinity Aluminum styles and grades
4ft Arched Single Gate – All Infinity Aluminum styles and grades
5ft Wide Single Gate – All Infinity Aluminum styles and grades
6ft Wide Single Gate – All Infinity Aluminum styles and grades
8ft Wide Double Gate – All Infinity Aluminum styles and grades
10ft Wide Double Gate – All Infinity Aluminum styles and grades
12ft Wide Double Gate – All Infinity Aluminum styles and grades
Which Gate Width Do I Need?
This is going to vary a bit by project. To determine the gate width you need, come up with the largest item that would ever need to pass through the gate into your yard. If you have a riding mower or a lawn service, you will want to see how wide those mowers are and size your gate accordingly. If you have a larger yard, do you think you may ever need to to drive your truck or SUV in the back to unload something? In that case, plan for a larger gate that will fit the vehicle.
For simple walkways and sidewalks that are only allowing people through, a 4ft walk gate is perfect. It’s wide enough to walk through with bags in your hands and can fit push lawnmowers and wheel barrows through it as well. 4ft wide is by far our most popular gate width.
5ft and 6ft wide gates are good if you have a smaller riding mower or have a wider sidewalk. It is always a good idea to size your gate larger than your paved walkway. A 5ft wide gate fits a 4ft wide sidewalk nicely. That way you do not have to dig your post holes too close to the sidewalk and the gate posts are not ‘crowding’ the sidewalk.
Moving up to an 8ft double gate will ensure any type of riding or zero turn mower used by a lawn service will fit. If you think you may need to utilize a smaller tractor like a Bobcat/ skid steer, this is a good size to consider as well. You can fit a full size truck through an 8ft gate if you are careful and can come straight at it. Most full size pickup trucks these days are 80-83 inches wide or about 6.5ft wide.
10ft and 12ft gates are typically used if you are going to be driving through the gate with full size trucks or larger vehicles like RVs or trailers. A modern full size pickup truck is a little over 6.5ft wide. So it will easily fit through a 10ft gate. A single axle dump truck like many landscaping companies will use is about 8.5ft wide and will need a 10ft gate opening minimum. RVs are typically 8 to 8.5ft wide as well. They can fit a 10ft gate, but due to their length, its easier to fit them though a wider 12ft gate that allows you to steer and position the vehicle as you back it in.
Still Have Gate Questions?
If this article didn’t address your situation or if you had other questions about what gate width would work best for your project; feel free to give us a call at 800-261-2729 or shoot us an email to [email protected]. Share some details about your situation and we would be happy to advise and help out!
