Every FY Fencing driveway gate is made to order, so the measurements you send us are what we build to. The good news: measuring a driveway is simpler than measuring a whole fence line: you need one width, one height, and a couple of quick site checks. All you need is a tape measure (and a spirit level or a straight board if your driveway slopes).
Step 1: Measure the clear opening
Measure the clear opening your gate has to span: the gap between the inside faces of your posts, pillars or walls, at ground level. Don’t measure post-centre to post-centre, and don’t guess from the driveway slab; it’s the gap the gate actually fills that matters.
Then measure the same gap again near the top of the posts. Openings are often slightly out of square: if the two numbers differ, note both and we’ll work to the tighter one.
No posts yet? Measure the opening you want between them and tell us: we’ll factor in the posts (our heavy duty 100 x 100mm posts suit driveway gates) so the gate and the gap match.
Step 2: Check the slope
Lay a straight board (or a level) across the opening and see whether the ground falls away to one side, and whether the driveway rises as it enters the property. This one check often decides your gate type:
A swing gate needs the ground inside the property to be level-ish across its whole swing arc: a rising driveway will catch the bottom of the leaves.
A sliding gate only follows the ground line along the fence, and the sliding motor kit comes in flat-ground and slope-ground versions.
Step 3: Check the space beside and behind
This is the step people skip, and it decides sliding vs swing more often than price does:
Sliding: the gate has to go somewhere when it opens: you need clear space along the inside of the fence line at least as long as the gate itself, free of taps, meter boxes, trees and gardens.
Swing (double): each leaf is half the opening width: you need that much clear depth inside the property for the leaves to swing through, plus room for your cars to stop clear of the arc.
Tight block with no side run? Swing. Steep rising driveway or short parking apron? Sliding. Our sliding vs swing guide covers the trade-offs in detail.
Step 4: Match your opening to a made-to-order size
| Gate type | Widths | Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Sliding: picket | 3.5m or 6m | 1.2m or 1.8m |
| Sliding: slat / blade | 4m or 6m | 1.2m or 1.8m |
| Swing double: slat | 3m, 4m or 5m | 1.2m or 1.8m |
| Swing double: picket / blade | 3.5m or 5m | 1.2m or 1.8m |
Those are the standard made-to-order ranges: every gate is built to suit your exact opening within them, in Black, Monument or White. On height: 1.8m is the usual pick for privacy and security; 1.2m suits open, streetscape-friendly frontages. If your opening sits outside these ranges, ask us before ruling anything out.
Step 5: Send us the numbers
That’s the measuring done. For a firm quote, send us:
Clear opening width (bottom and top, if they differ)
Preferred height (1.2m or 1.8m) and profile (slat, blade or picket)
A note on slope, and how much side/inside room you have
Whether you want it automated: our motors guide explains the options, and our cost guide covers prices
Two photos: straight-on from the street, and along the fence line
Prefer not to measure? We do site measures as part of supply-and-install across Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba: see our service areas.
Frequently asked questions
Do I measure between the posts or the overall width?
Between the posts: the clear opening the gate has to fill. If the posts aren’t in yet, give us the total opening you want and we’ll allow for them.
My driveway slopes: which gate should I choose?
Usually sliding: it follows the fence line rather than sweeping across the rising driveway, and the motor kit comes in a slope-ground version. A swing gate can work if the ground inside the arc is close to level.
How much side room does a sliding gate need?
Clear space along the inside of the fence at least as long as the gate itself: a 4m gate needs about 4m of run-off room to open fully.
What if my opening is wider than 6 metres?
Talk to us: gates are made to order, so tell us the opening and we’ll advise the best configuration for it.
Do I need council approval for a driveway gate?
Usually not at standard heights, but rules vary by council and situation: our Queensland fence height guide explains when approval comes into play.
Can you check my measurements before I order?
Yes: send them through with your photos and we’ll sanity-check everything before anything goes into production, or book a site measure if you’re in our service area.
Got your measurements?
Send them through with a couple of photos and we’ll quote your gate: supply-only or installed.
or call (07) 3803 1098
Working out what your fence line needs? Tell us the run and the height and we will quote it, supply-only or installed.
- Brisbane-based supplier
- Made to order
- Supply-only or installed