How do you work out which hand gate do you need?
It is worth noting that gates should not open out onto a public pavement/highway in accordance with the Highways Act of 1980.
Some 5 Bar gates are hung from the left or right hand. They are built to be self supporting and stronger on one side of the gate. Alternatively, 5 Bar gates can be universally handed i.e.the stiles are the same size and strength so can be hung from either side.
The hand of a gate is determined by the positions of the gate hinges when viewing a property from the outside. The hanging stile will be larger on the side that the hinges are positioned. If a pair of gates is required one will be a left hand gate and one will be a right hand gate. You will need to decide which way around you want the gates to be when opening them.
View outside looking into the property – handed gates
View outside looking into the property – universally handed gate
Most Driveway gates are fitted in pairs so automatically have a left hand and right hand hanging gate where the gates are hung with the bracing rising up from the hanging stile so that they have maximum support.
View outside looking into property
If, however you are only having one driveway gate (or a matching pedestrian gate) you will need to say which side you are hanging it from. This is to ensure that the bracing can be configured correctly. The bracing rises from the bottom of the stile to support the weight of the gate. Again the hand will be determined outside looking into the property.
View from outside looking into property
Charltons Pedestrian Gates can be universally hung. i.e. they can be hung from either side.
However, ideally on the taller & heavier side gates, the hinges should be placed on the side with both braces in the corners for maximum support of the gate.
