Replace driveway gate

Caval1er

Looking for opinions and advice please... I need to replace or maybe adjust(remove panels) as it's too big and heavy when the wind blows. It knocked me over the other day, so scared to go out when windy now. Gate is 3300mm wide and 1350 high. I've attached a couple of pictures. Was thinking to replace with 2 smaller swing gates. Basic research indicates for cheapest gates probable about £600 plus fitting, not priced that yet. Money is very tight. Was wondering if I could remove a few of the planks in current gate to let the wind pass through? Would it make much difference? Would the gate lose too much strength and fall apart? Any advice appreciated. Thank you!

ThisIsWeird

You probably could, and it would likely help. But, it would look hellish having the gaps the same width as the remaining planks. Usually the gaps are much slimmer.
The design of the gate does, tho', lend itself to being turned into two gates - the diagonal cross braces are running the correct way for each side.
You'd ideally use a joiner - unless you are decent at DIY - but it looks very doable. 

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said: The design of the gate does, tho', lend itself to being turned into two gates - the diagonal cross braces are running the correct way for each side.

The design of the gate does indeed lend its self to being converted in to two. But.... A substantial post is going to be needed to take the new hinges. Preferably a concrete post to match the existing one.

stuart45

It looks like it's hung off a timber post fixed to the wall on my screen.

Caval1er

ThisIsWeird said:

You probably could, and it would likely help. But, it would look hellish having the gaps the same width as the remaining planks. Usually the gaps are much slimmer.
The design of the gate does, tho', lend itself to being turned into two gates - the diagonal cross braces are running the correct way for each side.
You'd ideally use a joiner - unless you are decent at DIY - but it looks very doable. 

Thank you for your opinion and advice, wasn't sure it could be cut in two, but also posted on local Facebook and I've had a handyman contact me to suggest same. Wouldn't have thought to look for joiner, so really helpful, thank you. Hopefully will save a little money against buying new gates.

Caval1er

FreeBear said:

ThisIsWeird said: The design of the gate does, tho', lend itself to being turned into two gates - the diagonal cross braces are running the correct way for each side.

The design of the gate does indeed lend its self to being converted in to two. But.... A substantial post is going to be needed to take the new hinges. Preferably a concrete post to match the existing one.

Thanks for pointing that out, I know what to check with whoever does the job now.

FreeBear

stuart45 said:

It looks like it's hung off a timber post fixed to the wall on my screen.

You're right.

Still needs a solid post on the other side as a ~1.6m gate is going to put a lot of stress on any post.

Caval1er

Wasn't sure whether to resurrect this old post or post a new one so I thought I would try the Old Post first. The gates were cut in half and have been working, though unfortunately I've developed a neurological illness affecting  my balance and even half a gate now when the wind blows is not safe for me to open.  I'm still very short of money, so now contemplating removing a few slats maybe two from each gate to make them easier in wind. Could anybody please advise if they  think the gates would stay strong enough and if this would help much. The alternative I can see would be replace with automated 5 bar wooden gate (to allow wind pass through, but its really not affordable for me.  thank you very much for any advice.