PICKETPILOT FIELD GUIDE

Put gate openings into the fence plan

A gate replaces a section of fence, but it does not eliminate the posts and hardware that support it. Give it its own segment.

Split the run at the opening

For a simple 16-foot example with a centered 4-foot gate, enter A–B as a 6-foot fence run, B–C as a 4-foot gate opening, and C–D as a 6-foot fence run. The model has two fence bays and four named posts. B and C are gate posts and are already included in the four.

The gate segment contributes no fence pickets or rails. One gate kit is listed per opening. A double-leaf gate may have a different kit and hardware basis; price the complete kit appropriate to that opening, rather than treating one opening as one leaf.

Confirm the manufacturer’s opening basis

A listed gate width may differ from the required clear opening, hinge allowance or distance between post centers. Enter the required opening from the chosen system and check the adjacent fence spans on a real layout. The example arithmetic does not supply installation clearances.

Fence segments use the span you intend to cover between their named end-post centers. Gate opening length is recorded separately and is not converted into pickets. Do not use the connection diagram to infer exact coordinates or a final property-line length.

Keep gate costs separate

Gate posts often differ from other posts in size or specification. PicketPilot provides a separate gate-post price and gate-kit price. It does not specify hinges, latches, stops, braces, automation or gate safety systems.

Make a hardware checklist from the selected manufacturer’s instructions. Before ordering, check the gate’s swing, slope, access and any applicable pool or access-control requirements with the relevant product and local authority.