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Home /Help & Guides /Measurement Guide
📐 Made-to-measure

How to measure.
Easy as 1-2-3.

No technical knowledge needed — just a tape measure and these simple steps. Pick your product below and we'll walk you through it.

📨 Email us your measurements
You'll need
📏 5m tape measure
📓 Pen & paper
📷 Phone camera
🪜 Spirit level (optional)
Part 01

Driveway gates

Double leaf · manual or automated
1

Measure the gap 3 times

Measure between your two pillars at top, middle and bottom. Write all three down.

2

Use the smallest number

Pillars are rarely perfectly straight. The smallest of your 3 readings is your gap width (W).

3

Choose a hinge type

Pick one of the two options below — each needs a different size reduction for clearance.

Step 1 & 2 — Where to measure (front view)
PILLAR PILLAR ① measure TOP ② measure MIDDLE ③ measure BOTTOM ✓ USE SMALLEST = W
Walls and pillars are rarely perfectly straight. Taking measurements at three heights and using the smallest reading guarantees your gates will fit without needing to force them or trim them on site.
Your W = Smallest of 3
Option A · Most common
Gates open in front of pillars
Hinges bolt to the rear (back) face of the pillar
W = gap 25mm gap 25mm gap
Order gate sizegap minus clearance
W − 50mm
Option B · Between pillars
Gate fits between the pillars
Hinges bolt to the inner (side) face of the pillar
75 mm gap 75 mm gap W = gap
Order gate sizemore clearance needed
W − 150mm
⚙
Adding automation? Use W − 110 mm — the underground motor needs slightly less clearance. Standard height is 1.6–2.0 m. Leave at least 50 mm ground clearance (70 mm on a slope).
Part 02

Pedestrian gates

Single panel · 800–1100 mm wide
1

Measure the width

Measure the gap between posts or walls at top, middle and bottom. Use the smallest (W).

2

Measure the height

From the highest ground point up to where the top of the gate will sit (H).

3

Tell us hinge side & swing

Looking from outside: left or right hinge? Does it open towards you or away?

Fig.02 · Pedestrian gate — front view
W · width H hinge side swing arc ← 25 mm clearance each side →
W = gap between walls/posts (smallest of 3 readings). H = from highest ground point to top of gate. Standard 1.8 m for home, 2.0 m for extra security.
Gate widthW − 50mm
↻
Also tell us: hinge side (left or right, looking from outside) · swing direction (opens towards you or away) · lock type (Yale, deadlock, or digital keypad).
Part 03

Railings

Total run · height · fixing method
1

Measure the total length

From one end of the run to the other — this is your total run (L).

2

Measure the height

From the top of the wall (or ground) up to where you want the top rail. Also note the wall height (WH).

3

Tell us your surface

Brick, stone, concrete or render? This determines which fixings we'll supply.

Fig.03 · Railing run — front view
L · run H WH wall
L = total end-to-end length. H = railing height above wall/ground. WH = wall height from ground. We space posts automatically at ~1.2 m centres.
Send usL · H · WH
⚓
Fixing options: bolt-down base plate (quickest), or core-drilled for a flush finish. Have stairs? Just send the nosing-to-nosing length and one riser + going measurement.
Part 04

Juliet balconies

BS 6180 · 1100 mm minimum height
1

Measure the window opening

Measure brick to brick — not frame to frame. This is your window opening (WO).

2

We add 100 mm each side

The balcony overhangs 100 mm each side so the fixings land in solid brickwork, not just the frame.

3

Height from your floor

Building Regs require at least 1100 mm from your inside floor level. Tell us your floor-to-sill distance.

Fig.04 · Juliet balcony — view from outside
W · overall WO · brick-to-brick opening 100 mm 100 mm H ≥1100
WO = brick-to-brick window width (not frame). We add 100 mm each side so fixings land in solid masonry. H must be at least 1100 mm from your inside floor (Building Regs).
Overall widthWO + 200mm
⚠
Safety-critical product. Our fixing kit is rated to BS 6180 (0.74 kN/m horizontal). Always use the hardware we supply — do not substitute fixings on site.

📷 A few photos help us a lot.

Send these alongside your measurements and we'll spot anything you might have missed.

01Full wide shot
02Tape in place
03Pillar close-up
04Ground level
05Inside view
06Power supply area

Send us your numbers,
get a fixed quote in 48 hours.

Or book a free London survey and we'll come measure for you — no charge, no obligation.

📨 Email us your measurements 📐 Book a free survey
Or call us 020 7117 2642