Key takeaways
- Most backyards need at least one walk gate. Many benefit from a second gate or a double gate.
- Plan width around the largest thing you will ever bring through, such as a mower, a trailer or a vehicle.
- Put gates on flat ground near where you actually walk.
- We build single walk, double, driveway and custom or arched gates.
When homeowners plan a fence, they think about material, height and style. Gates often come last, and they're the part you'll use every single day. A gate in the wrong spot or a gate that's too narrow is a daily annoyance. A well-placed gate makes the yard easy to use for years.
Here's how we help Charlotte-area homeowners decide how many gates they need, where to put them and how wide they should be.
The gate types we build
Single walk gate
A single swinging gate for people, pets, trash cans and push mowers.
Double gate
Two leaves that open from the center for a wide opening when needed, while one leaf can be used day to day.
Driveway gate
A wide gate across a driveway or vehicle access point.
Custom and arched
Arched tops, decorative designs and gates built to match a specific fence style.
See examples on our custom gates page.
How many gates do you need?
There's no single right number, but these questions will get you there:
- How do you get from the driveway to the backyard? Most homes need a walk gate on that side.
- Is there a second side yard you'll use? A gate on each side means you never have to walk all the way around the house. It's helpful for mowing and getting to hose bibs and AC units.
- Does anything big ever need to come in? Riding mowers, a boat, a trailer, landscaping equipment or a future pool or patio project usually call for a double gate.
- Do utility workers need access? Meters, AC units and utility boxes inside the fence need a convenient way in.
- Is there a back or side neighbor, greenway or common area you visit? A rear gate can be handy, as long as your HOA allows it.
How wide should a gate be?
Size the gate for the largest thing you'll ever need to bring through, not just what you use today. Measure:
- Your push mower or riding mower, including the deck
- Wheelbarrows and garden carts
- Trash and recycling cans, if they live inside the fence
- Grills, kayaks, play sets or hot tub deliveries
- Trailers, small tractors or vehicles, if you'll ever need them in the yard
Then leave some extra room. A gate that barely fits a mower will scrape knuckles and catch handles. If you need a very wide opening but use it rarely, a double gate lets you use one leaf every day and open both when needed.
Where should gates go?
Follow the paths you already walk
Look at your yard for worn grass, stepping stones or the route you take with the trash can. Put the gate there. Gates placed where they look nice on paper but not where people walk tend to get ignored.
Choose flat ground
Gates work best on level ground. On a slope, a gate can drag or hit the ground before it opens. If your side yard slopes, read our sloped-yard guide for options.
Mind the swing
Think about which way the gate swings and what it might hit. Check for AC units, downspouts, steps, trees, hose reels and landscaping. Most backyard gates swing into the yard. Pool gates typically must swing away from the pool. See our pool fence guide.
Keep them visible
If kids or pets use the yard, put gates where you can see them from the house so you notice one left open.
Latches, hinges and hardware
- Self-closing hinges help keep pets and kids in, and they're typically required on pool gates.
- Gravity latches catch automatically when the gate closes.
- Lockable latches add security and keep gates closed when you're away.
- Two-sided latches can be opened from inside and outside.
- Drop rods hold the fixed leaf of a double gate in place.
Gates take the most wear of any part of a fence. Check hinges and latches twice a year. Our maintenance guide has a simple routine.
Gates and your HOA
Some HOAs regulate gates as well as fences, including rear gates onto common areas, driveway gates or gate styles. Mark every gate on the site plan in your HOA application. Our HOA guide explains what to include.
Gate planning checklist
- Mark the paths you walk most often
- Measure your largest mower, cart or equipment
- Decide whether you need a double or driveway gate
- Check gate locations for slope and swing obstacles
- Plan access to meters, AC units and hose bibs
- Choose latches and hinges for pets, kids or a pool
- Show every gate on your HOA site plan
Map your fence and gates in Plan Your Fence, add a gate in the cost calculator or try designs in the Fence Design Studio. At your free estimate, Ron will walk the gate locations with you before anything is built.
Frequently asked questions
How many gates should a backyard fence have?
Most backyards need at least one walk gate on the side used most. Many also benefit from a second walk gate or a double gate for mowers and equipment.
How wide should a fence gate be for a riding mower?
Measure your mower including the deck and leave extra room. If you need a wide opening only occasionally, a double gate gives you a smaller everyday leaf and a wide opening when needed.
What types of gates do you build?
We build single walk gates, double gates, driveway gates and custom or arched gates.
Should a gate swing in or out?
Most backyard gates swing into the yard. Pool gates typically must swing away from the pool. Check for obstacles in the swing path before deciding.
About the author
Fences & Firepits team, reviewed by Ron Memallaj, owner of Fences & Firepits LLC. We're a licensed and insured fence company serving Charlotte and the surrounding communities since 2022. Every fence we build is installed by our own in-house crew. We don't hire subcontractors.
