What gates do San Francisco homes need most?
- Front entry gates at the sidewalk or at the top of the front stairs.
- Side-passage gates between the house and the property line, often only 3 feet or so wide.
- Back-yard gates into a shared yard or an alley.
- Wider double gates for parking pads, on lots that have them.
Why do gates sag here?
Damp air swells wood gate frames, wind slams gates against their stops, and posts set in shallow soil above old foundations can lean. A gate that lasts starts with a solid hinge post, a frame braced in the right direction, and hinges and latches rated for outdoor and coastal use. On metal gates we use welded frames and adjustable hinges.
Can a gate open on a sloped yard?
A gate that swings uphill will hit the ground. On slopes we hang gates to swing downhill, raise the bottom rail, or use a smaller pair of leaves instead of one wide gate. Sliding gates need a fairly level run, which many San Francisco lots do not have.
How much should a gate cost?
Inch Calculator's fence cost guide lists a basic gate at roughly $400 to $2,000 installed, and driveway or security gates at about $2,000 to $12,000. Hardware grade, frame material and any automation drive the difference.
Is a pool gate different?
Yes. A gate in a pool barrier must swing away from the pool, close and latch on its own, and have its latch at least 60 inches above the ground under California law. See pool fences.