any gate experts on here?? ha ha

just trying to figure out the best position for our drive gates...

our house sits a street level with side access, the drive is ours, but there are 3 cottages next door that have pedestrian access to their rear yards, so we cannot install drive gates at street level (hubby says we can, but it would cause too many issues, and I don't want to cause any problems with neighbours)

the door we use all the time is on the side of the house, this is where our post is delivered, there is a door on the street side but we don't use it (confusing I know)

so the issue is where to install gates. There are some old gate posts set before the side door, and just after the cottages access, and hubby wants to install bigger gates there. I have a problem with this, as it would mean that the postman would have to open the gates, or we would have to install letter box on the gates....the other issue is that the post is so close to the door, and the drive is quite wide, that the gate would block the door if it was open. Hubby likes the idea of the gates there, so that the dogs can be in a secure area that leads to our garage area....

I want to site the gates after the side door, so visitors can still knock at the door etc, but no further access down the drive. My other thought is that the dogs can still get to the secure area from our back door, and I would not be worried about postman/delivery man/visitors opening the gate and letting the dogs out... 

we wouldn't need to alter the letterbox etc, and the gate could be kept locked when we are out. I think hubby resents this option, as it gives the appearance that the drive in front of the gates is bigger, and although it is NOT a communal area, he is worried the residents of the cottages may view it as communal.....he is now considering getting an automatic bollard to install in the front of the drive to stop other vehicles driving into it....I have tried explaining that it isn't very friendly to do that, not many cars turn in to turn round, and those that do are neighbours....but he is insistent

the gates themselves will probably be wooden, and at least 6 feet high, to provide privacy, though am undecided on design. We are even thinking about automated gates, as well as fitting an audible alarm, so that if the gates are opened we will hear it.....I just want to feel secure if the dogs are outside, as well as general security re the garage and outbuildings

Just wanted some opinions, and whether anyone has had similar issues re siting gates, and whether there's anything else I need to consider...

thanks in anticipation   

Personally, I would put the gates where the existing gateposts are and maybe have a larger gate on the side that wouldn't block the door and a smaller hand gate on the same side as the door. You would still be able to open them both to give the same width of access as you would have if you had 2 gates of equal width. I prefer to have my postbox on the gate so that the postman doesn't have to come into contact with the dogs when he delivers the mail. My usual postman is brilliant with the dogs and always leans over the gate to pat them but we have a relief postman who won't even deliver to houses if there is a cat in the garden.

I think I see what you mean. Your OH is right about gateing his drive even if you do have to provide access for your neighbours to get their bins out. As long as the gates are not locked, then have them. We have an access at the top of our garden and at our back door, through what would of been in years gone by, the yard. We moved in and added the gate with a self closeing spring action, this is is not locked but there is a sign on it saying dogs loose, to warn the visitor. It is after all, your property.

my main issue with leaving the gate posts where they are, is that the gates will be high, and we would then have to put a door-bell on the gates, as we don't use the front door.....and then I'm thinking practically, if I go shopping on foot, I would have to go through the gates before getting to the house, and I intend having the gates locked, I don't see the point in having gates that are kept unlocked for postman, deliveries etc.....

there's pros and cons to each suggestion

I guess I prefer to think that I can open the door to any salesman etc, whilst still having a gate that blocks access (and views) of our property at the rear, and the same for a postman etc, even if the dogs are out and behind the gate, it won't disturb anyone coming to the side door (a few delivery peopel have had a surprise when met with 4 hairy grey faces at the door when I have to sign for something - lol)

What about 2 sets? You do see them where people have short picket types at the front and taller solid gates across the back of their houses to keep out sticky beaks. To be honest though, I would get out a 2 or 3 fencing guys out to estimate the job as they will solve these problems for you and are good at planning. Their ideas have always been good for us, as they are experts and know their stuff. We would never of thought of them ourselves.

Have to say I hate it when people use our drive to turn around, its a bloody cheek !!!

If we crack a paver or leave an oil stain thats our fault, but if someone else does it....

My arrangement may not help you but I think I am saying why not have the gate you want to keep the dogs safe and the one your OH wants to keep title to your property.

I Have a gate on the road side of my back door, also the door we use had the front door bricked up, and we used kennel type mesh so as not to keep light out but they do sport a door bell and a notice to say dogs are loose. No one has ever opened them. We also have a lower wooden gate within the metal ones and it gives a sort of trap that kennels use just in case one of the gates is left open. At the edge of our property we have the normal drive gates that are set back from the road to enable us to drive the car onto our own property before opening the gates, the letter box is on this gate. Difficult to explain but we do in fact have 3 gates between the area used by the dogs and the road. The first the drive gates, wood of the farm type, the mesh kennel type 6 foot and the inner wooden garden gate of 4 foot. All 3 gates could be locked but rarely are.

Hmm..

I think a big problem with big gates right at street level or at even set back slightly is you will have any visitors in cars having to stop on the street to come ask you to open the gates, unless you get gates you can operate from indoors when you see someones there, but then that means waiting for guests by the window.. and I dunno but id not like to have to stop on the street outside your house as its v narrow and windy..

If you did go with bigger gates and its people turning around that annoys OH, you could get really big ones with an inset smaller gate to allow postie/delivery people access to teh side (and have it sprung so it closes behind them automatically...!)

Would then also allow neighbours access.

Gate set further back would make sense - could you have a gate that folds back against itself, rather than normal jobby where one half would block your side door?

Then those who are visiting your house could drive in, open gate without being on the road, (not sure if there is space for it to fold back inwards rather than outwards though) - that would probably put most people off from turning around in your driveway, though not all (but again your drive.. id not want to pull in there and reverse out to turn round, scarywary!)

Downside of that option is you wont have a self closing smaller gate, meaning undoubtedly some muppet would one day leave it open.