It is always best to install gates on flat ground. However, hardly any backyard is perfectly flat, so sometimes, building a gate on top of a slope is inevitable. What should you expect when the gate for your fence is built on a hill or slope in the grade? What options do you have for installing a gate at your home when you have hilly terrain?
Building a gate over a hill can cause the gate to scrape the ground when opening
When you install a gate at your home, it needs to be placed in a spot where it can open and close without any obstruction. The gate should be able to reach its fully open position without scraping the ground or hitting any object that might impede its path from opening or closing properly. When you install a gate over a slope, oftentimes, the ground level gets in the way when you try to open the gate, restricting the gate from functioning as it is intended. While some slopes are unavoidable on the side of your home, you should always consider the terrain of your yard when deciding where you want to have a fence company install your gate.
The gate could look misaligned and stick above the rest of the fence
One of the most common ways fence companies accommodate a slope in your yard when installing a gate is by lifting the gate so that the bottom of the gate clears the highest point of the ground level. Unfortunately, doing this can result in an unsightly finish to your fence and gate. If you have to lift your gate up to clear the ground, you will usually end up with a gate that sits above the fence line. For yards with extreme slopes, this could cause the top of the gate to sit several inches or feet above the top rail of the fence sections next to it. Furthermore, when installing your gate this way, you will end up with gaps underneath the gate. Spacing underneath your gate creates an easy spot for your pets to escape from your yard. Even if the gap isn’t big enough for your pet to squeeze out of, if you have a privacy fence installed, this opening might be all it takes to catch your dog’s attention and give it the idea to start digging. If you have a hilly backyard or slopes on the side of your home, discuss your pet needs with your local fence company that is installing your gate.
What options do you have to install a gate on top of a hill?
Some homes have steep slopes on the sides and hilly terrain in the yard. When you have a fence built to enclose your back yard, you will need a gate to access the yard for things like lawn equipment. So, what can you do to install a gate at your home if you have slopes?
Have the ground graded to prepare for a fence
A common solution to prepare your yard for a fence is to have the ground graded at your property. If your yard has hills, slopes, or uneven changes in grade, you may want to consider having a landscape company grade it prior to having a fence company install your fence and gate. This can be a cost-effective solution that makes the outside space of your home more practical for everyday use and ready for a fencing company.
Have your fence company order a custom-sloped gate
Ask your local fence company for a custom-sloped gate. A custom-sloped gate option can be available in a variety of fence materials, including wood, vinyl, and aluminum. While most wood gates and vinyl gates are built onsite and can be adjusted to conform to the lay of the land, some vinyl gates and aluminum gates will need to be ordered from the manufacturer to be custom-built to accommodate a slope in the ground. Let your fence company know where you want to install the gate and ask them if a custom sloped gate is a good gate upgrade option for you.
Install pavers to create a level pathway underneath the gate opening
Another good way to prepare your yard for when the fence company comes out to install your fence is to have pavers put down where your gate will be placed. Putting pavers in will help create a level path for the gate to open and close. This will also prevent wear and tear to the grass as you experience foot traffic through the gate opening. If you have pavers installed at your home, be sure to let the fence company know before they order your fence materials because you do not want to end up with a gate that is too small for your paver walkway.
Get your gate installed on your hilly terrain by an experienced fence company
At Big Jerry’s Fencing, we make buying fences fast and easy so you can protect your loved ones and your investments. We have over 15 years of experience dealing with building fences and installing gates in hilly environments. Let Big Jerry’s Fencing, a top-rated local fence company, install the gate at your home or property. Call us today or click, and one of our local fence experts will contact you about your fence project. Big Jerry’s Fencing offers free fence estimates with fence financing options).
Big Jerry’s Fencing is a local fence company near you in Atlanta, Charlotte, Clayton, Creedmoor, Durham, Fayetteville and Brunswick, CO, Greensboro, Harnett County, Holly Springs, Nash County, Raleigh, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Nashville, Boise, Baton Rouge, East Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Northwest Arkansas.
Let Big Jerry’s Fencing add protection, privacy, and value to your home.
