A gate is the part of a fence that gets used every day, so when it drops, drags on the ground or will not latch, you notice it every day too. Many gates fail not because the gate is poor but because the posts holding it were never strong enough.
This guide is for people in Worcester, Malvern, Evesham and surrounding villages thinking about a new side gate, a driveway gate or a like-for-like swap. It explains what to measure, which materials suit which job and why the posts matter more than the gate itself.
Start with the opening itself: width at top and bottom, height, and any slope in the ground. A gate that swings across a sloping path may need to open outwards or have a raised hinge to clear the surface. Think about what passes through. A narrow side gate for bins and bicycles needs enough width for a wheelie bin and handlebars, while a double gate for a driveway needs room for a car and a way to hold both leaves open in wind. Garden Gate Installation is easier to get right when you decide first which way it opens and where it will be latched. Check too whether the gate will clash with a parked car, a wall or a drainpipe when it swings.
Softwood gates are the usual choice for a side passage and can match existing fencing. Hardwood lasts longer but costs more. Metal gates, often steel or aluminium, suit front gardens and driveways where security or a smarter look is wanted, though steel needs a good coating. Slatted and contemporary designs fit modern houses. Composite gates are less common but exist. Whatever the material, the frame should be braced diagonally and made from stout sections, because thin framing twists under its own weight. Ask how the gate is joined together and finished, not just how it looks. If the gate faces the road or a footpath, think about visibility and whether a solid design gives the privacy you want.
The hanging post carries the whole weight and takes a pounding each time the gate swings, so it must be larger and set deeper than a normal fence post, usually in good concrete. Metal posts or timber with a steel core can help for heavy gates. Hinges should be proportionate to the gate: strap hinges for light timber, heavier adjustable hinges where the gate is big. Latches range from simple thumb catches to locks, and a drop bolt stops double gates moving. Self-closing hinges are worth considering where children or pets are around, as are bottom stops that keep the gate from dragging. Fit hinges so the gate can be adjusted after it settles, because even a well hung gate shifts slightly in its first season.
Garden Gate Replacement can be straightforward if the existing posts are sound and the opening is standard, but a worn gate is often a sign of a tired post. Check for rot at the base and for movement when you pull the post. If it leans, the new gate will quickly sag the same way. Sometimes a smaller adjustment, like re-hanging with better hinges or adding a brace, is enough. If the gate is a different size, new posts may be needed, and the neighbouring fence may have to be altered. Dispose of the old gate sensibly and clear the opening before work starts. Where a gate is part of a longer run, the new one should line up with the fence height and rails so the whole boundary looks planned.
Width, height and material set the base. Double gates, curved tops and extra security add more. Post work often outweighs expectations: digging deep holes through paving, roots or old footings takes time. Ground slope, access and whether hardware such as locks or electric openers are needed also shape the figure. Painting or staining, if wanted, is a further item. A visit lets us measure and explain where the effort goes, so the figure makes sense.
Tell us where the gate goes, roughly how wide the opening is and whether it replaces an existing one. A few photos help. We will visit, measure and talk through materials, posts and fittings in plain terms. Quotations are free and there is no obligation. We cover Worcester and the surrounding parts of Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and north Warwickshire.
For garden gate installation and replacement in Worcester or the surrounding towns, call or WhatsApp 07542 451291, or use the form below and tell us about the job.
Images on this page are illustrations only.
See all Fencing Services services in Worcester →
Usually the hanging post has moved, or the gate frame lacks a diagonal brace. Hinges that are too light for the gate can also be at fault. Fixing the post and bracing the frame normally solves it for good.
Wide enough for what you carry through it, such as a wheelie bin or a pushchair. A little extra width is rarely regretted. Measure the largest thing you will move, then add room for hands and hinges.
Sometimes, if they are sound, upright and set deep enough for the new gate's weight. Heavier gates often need stronger posts. We check the existing ones for rot and movement before saying whether they can be reused.
Tell us about the job and we will be in touch, usually the same day.
Prefer to talk? Call 07542 451291 or WhatsApp us.
