picket spacing on ornamental gates
Most people choose picket spacing by eye and never measure the gap against a child or a dog. The breakdown sitting on ornamental iron gates georgetown thetaxpayers lists the gap sizes in order, since a gate in Georgetown, TX that looks fine on a drawing can leave a four inch hole that a small head or a beagle slips through.
What gap is safe for small children?
A gap of four inches or less between pickets is the usual limit for keeping a small child from passing a head through, and many pool and school rules use the same figure. Square tubing picket stock three quarters of an inch wide on a five inch center leaves a gap just over four inches, so the center spacing is brought in to four and a half.
What about pets?
Small dogs pass through much narrower gaps than children. A gate for a terrier or a cat owner needs a gap of two inches, or a lower panel of closer pickets, or a solid kick plate on the bottom rail. Many owners fit closer pickets in the bottom third of the leaf and leave the top open, which keeps weight down and keeps the decorative tops visible from the street.
How does spacing change the weight?
Tighter spacing means more pickets, and each one adds weight and welds. A leaf with pickets on four inch gaps holds roughly a third more steel than one on six inch gaps. The extra weight lands on the hinges and on the post, so posts set in limestone soil are made a little larger and the footing is dug deeper to resist the pull.
How does wind affect picket gates?
Closer pickets catch more wind. A picket gate with narrow gaps in an open lot near the San Gabriel River takes much of the sideways push that a solid sheet would, while a wide gap lets most of the wind through. A tall leaf with tight pickets wants a heavier frame, a bottom rail braced to the post and a swing gate stop that carries the load instead of the latch.
How is the rail layout set?
Two rails are enough for a short gate, but a tall leaf wants three, with the middle rail placed to sit behind a scroll or a ring. Rails run through the pickets or sit behind them, and a picket drilled through the rail looks cleaner but costs more shop time. All welds are ground flush before the powder coat goes on, so water does not collect at the joint.
Which spacing should be chosen?
The spacing follows the use. A front entry on a quiet street can run wide, a pool or play area wants four inches or less, and a yard with small dogs wants closer pickets low on the leaf.