How to build a side timber gate?

Question

Wanting to put a timber gate on the side path of my elderly parents property, but unsure of logistics due to a large water pipe and a sandstone ledge. I have included some photos so you can see what I’m working with.

Is this the kind of job I should hire someone for or can it be done without experience?  If I was to do it myself, would I be best to build something from scratch, or buy a pre-made gate and make adjustments?

Also, would it be best to have the hinge on side A or side B?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

arohaa · Answer

@MitchellMc That is extremely helpful, thank you so much! Will plan this out and let you know how I go, cheers!

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @arohaa,

Looking at the setup, I would hang the gate from the rendered wall side (Side B) and install a post on the house side (Side A) for the latch to attach to.

To allow the gate to open properly, I'd set the hinges so the bottom of the gate sits above the top of the sandstone ledge. This will ensure the gate clears the sandstone when opening and avoids any issues with the water pipe or other obstacles.

The downside is that it will leave a fairly substantial gap underneath the gate. If that's a concern, you can always add a custom infill panel, kickboard, or similar addition to close off the space.

Hanging it this way should allow the gate to swing out towards the street, giving it the best clearance and avoiding the obstacles on the path side. A pre-made gate could still work if the opening suits a standard size, but you may need to modify it slightly depending on the final measurements.

Let me tag @Remarka6le, @diy_hausdesigns, @Samc1234 and @hsxlzyc, to see if they have any thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell