I'm not spending £3000 on what is effectively a gate so please can I have any suggestions?!

[InstrumentsofTorture]

I've recently moved to a house where there's a front door, a side gate leading to the back garden and to bifold doors giving onto the kitchen/diner, and a strange sort of back door type door at the other end of the kitchen/diner which leads out to the driveway.

The previous owners never used this door, and I didn't think I would either - but actually it's become the only door I use now because of its proximity to the driveway.

It feels a bit unsafe though because firstly the driveway has no gates and is on a fairly busy road so I feel exposed, and secondly I have dogs who would shoot out given a chance (I currently have a stair gate there). So I thought maybe a metal/wrought iron security gate on the inside could be a solution.

Well not at £3000 it's not! Can't afford that sort of money so am back to square one. Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions/solutions please?

This is the gate I was quoted for (but it would've been on the inside).

Get a few more estimates. That seems unreasonable.

Would a Dog-G8.com work? We have one of these internally and it works well to keep our medium dogs inside.

There are various combinations available and they can advise.

I would have thought it would make more sense to get gates on the driveway - not sure what this thing would achieve

What about an external one?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152678883622?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=Hl30quSTSRy&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=tSBPakDiQl6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

https://www.dog-g8.com/products/dog-g8-1?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA29auBhBxEiwAnKcSqrZYPqFJ7FN4rxgjrryhrEyJH_fEXsh0f-GMNXBmTzXp_C-tGlykgRoCkhUQAvD_BwE

Or

https://britanniaretail.com/products/retractable-security-grilles

I'm not really understanding what the purpose of the iron gate thing would be?
If the door is not secure, replace the door and add a dog-g8 type thing?

Tbh OP, the grilles are really ugly....

What about a nice cheap farm gate fitted to your driveway?

https://mcveighparker.com/ashbourne-metal-field-gate?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA29auBhBxEiwAnKcSqhwkqVsoDUvPigdY3NmRx4fL2ZJoSeFAWhoXpAdpgiPKtjbjYNNbSxoCpYkQAvD_BwE#197=420&199=456

Costs nothing to rehome the dogs. (that was a joke before I'm burned at the stake).

See G8 above and buy a new door similar to others on your street.

I’d get a wooded or pair of wooden five bar gates for the drive. They look nicer than the metal ones and are fine for all stock except cows. Even very fancy wooden gates fitted (because you’ll need posts and fasteners) would be less than £1000
https://cannockgates.co.uk/shop/wooden-gates/wooden-field-gates/town/5-bar-town-timber-farm-field-gates-4ft-high-3ft-6ft/?utm_source=Google%20Shopping&utm_campaign=UK%202023&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=2515&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA29auBhBxEiwAnKcSqnuAQEdTXSkc7lfC020kMTBaGkOxeAfUdPsMteXwGFpfNs4md1goRhoCXtoQAvD_BwE&cn-reloaded=1

What is the point of a security gate as well as a door. At some point you have got to open it to go through it so won't the dogs shoot out when you do is some training required perhaps?
Does having a front door make you feel exposed?
I have no idea from your post exactly what the problem is. We don't have a back door we just use the patio door at the ack and go round to the drive or use the front door.
I think we need a drawing.

Gates on the driveway is the ultimate goal but they apparently need planning permission, plus will be expensive. Sadly, I have a new roof to shell out for before them!

The man today actually said that he wouldn't recommend external gates because it would draw attention to the fact there was a door there.

Planning permission for a gate? Is it a listed building or similar?

I don’t get the point of the security door either.

Thank you by the way for the suggestions. Id not looked into the Dog-G8 idea because I didn't need them in my old house, plus my dogs are little. Maybe that's the way to go.

I’m confused by the need for such a solid door. Are there screen security doors in the UK? The type I’m used to could easily hold back a big, strong dog (and keep burglars out), but they’re a lot more lightweight. Do you know the sort of thing I mean?

(I’m not being rude, I genuinely am confused)

This is a notably ugly example but it’s the sort of thing I mean.

It's a strange road! My house itself isn't in a conservation area but the house next door is, so are various other (seemingly) random stretches of the road. So yes, planning permission for gates.

The issue is security and dog safety. I know I'm not explaining it well but there doesn't seem enough of a barrier between me and the outside - you walk straight into the kitchen/diner from the drive, which is open to the road.

The dogs are well trained but I'm nervous that something exciting might be happening just as, for example, I'm going out to the bin, and they shoot out after me. Hence the current stair gate.

Is that a screen that's fitted over an existing door?

OP

Looks unsightly but does work as a deterrent but to some it may say, something worth going for

Therefore, as the door not used, do this.
Put 2 door bars on the inside about a third of the way up and second 2/3 way up

Add a door movement sensor that triggers if door is being hammered etc

The bars could be easily removed in 5 mins if you need to use the door with a battery operated screwdriver

Cost - sub 150 tops imo (we did it to the very large house we lived in years ago had an old brick and wood conservatory, the door to it was not overlooked and covered by tress and inbred scum tried to break in but were unable and we upgraded the security as above - they made another attmp but alrm went off and never tried again - before the advent of smartphones, Ring door cams etc

Good luc

Yeah I’m missing the issue too. Our drive is straight onto the street and our front door opens onto it, so I’m not getting why this makes you feel exposed. Is it because this door goes straight into a room rather than a hallway? Diagram needed.

£3k to make your house look like a prison ?

No ta.

Edit : Surely small dog would shoot out through the bars in that gate.

It’s just a door. In a lot of places it’s very normal to have two doors, one a thick heavy one and another that lets air through but keeps intruders out. So for example you can have your heavy door open at night to let cool air in, but sleep safely knowing burglars can’t get in.

I do seem to have found a spectacularly ugly example though!