Below are our guides for measuring up for railings and gates. Please contact us with any questions you have and we will work with you to ensure that you take the correct dimensions. Alternatively, we also offer our own measuring up service which is free if you buy on a supply and fit basis or chargeable on a supply only basis.
If possible, please mark your measurements on a sketch; please take care when using dimension arrows and ensure they clearly show each measurement’s start and end points.
Measuring up for your new railings is actually quite simple- all we need to know is the size of the space that you would like to fit railings in. We have broken down our guide into the three main scenarios where railings are used.
Railings on top of a wall between pillars:
1. Along the top of the wall, measure the width of the gap between the pillars. Do this for every gap where you would like railings.
2. For the first pillar, on the side where the railings will be, measure from the top of the wall to the height you would like the railing to reach (usually this is to the underside of a pillar top or to the top of a pillar that does not have a pillar top.) Please bear in mind that we usually allow for a 50 mm gap between the top of the wall and the bottom of the railing.
3. Now repeat step 2 for every pillar that will have railings. If a pillar will have railings on both sides of it, make sure to measure each of these sides separately since there can be variation in the height of a wall between pillars.
4. If you think your wall is on a slope, use a spirit level to check and contact us if you would like advice or have any questions.
Railings on the ground between pillars:
1. Along the ground, measure the width of the gap between the pillars. Do this for every gap where you would like railings.
2. Next, measure the width of the gap again but this time from the tops of the pillars. Do this for every gap where you would like railings.
3. For the first pillar, on the side where the railings will be, measure from the ground to the height you would like the railing to reach (usually this is to the underside of a pillar top or to the top of a pillar that does not have a pillar top.) Please bear in mind that we usually allow for 50 mm ground clearance.
4. Now repeat step 3 for every pillar that will have railings. If a pillar will have railings on both sides of it, make sure to measure each of these sides separately.
5. If you think the ground slopes, use a spirit level to check. Please contact us if you would like help or have any questions.
Railings with no existing pillars:
If you do not have existing pillars then we can supply posts with the railings. Simply let us know the length of the gap(s) you would like to fill with railings and the height you would like the railings to be.
Measuring up for your new gate is very simple- we just need to know the total width of the gap you have for your gate and the height you would like it to be.
1. Along the ground, measure the width of the gap where the gate will go.
2. Next, measure the width of the gap again but this time between the tops of the pillars/walls.
3. Measure the total height you wish your gate to be.
4. Check if the ground around the opening is sloping- an upward slope could stop the gate from opening. We usually allow 80 mm for ground clearance so please let us know if you need a larger gap. If you are unsure of the amount of ground clearance you need then please get in touch and we will be happy to help.
5. As though looking from the outside of the property, please inform us which side you would like the gate to be hinged. Our AEC Ironworks will always open inwards unless specified by yourself.
Please contact us with any questions you have and we will work with you to ensure that you take the correct dimensions. Alternatively, we also offer our own measuring up service that is free if you buy on a supply and fit basis or chargeable on a supply only basis.
