When picking a new fence for installation at your home, one thing that you gotta consider is your need for gates. You gotta understand, that as the demand and growth in popularity of fences is rising, it’s also giving a bump to the trend of fence gates. In fact, the industrial growth for fence gates is expected to reach a booming period according to a survey last year in 2023, and by 2029, it’ll reach an unbelievably high milestone.
Now, back to the fence gate itself, starting with what is it? Well, a gate is a moveable section of fence that either swings, slides, or rolls to create an opening in the fence; it allows the point of entry and exit. Gates can be installed with hinges; that way, the gate door can swing open inward or outward. It can also be attached to a track for smooth sliding motions to open and close. Also, all these different options for gate designs come with several specific purposes, such as decorative gates, driveway gates, security gates, and privacy gates. Knowing what type of material and for what purpose your gate will mainly be used is a great starting point.
Swing Gates
Wood fences are still the most common fence materials used in residential areas. The problem is that due to the weightiness of wood, all wooden privacy gates eventually lean or sag over time. It is critical that you choose the proper gate style and materials to go along with your fence. If you opt to have a wooden swing gate installed, it is highly recommended that you consider additional support to help prevent issues with your gate over time. Some things you can do to help increase the sturdiness of your swing gate are listed below.
1 – Upgrade your gate posts:
Typically, 4×4 posts are used to construct a wood fence. Upgrading your gate posts to a 4×6, or even better, a 6×6, will help support the weight of the wooden gate.
Heck, what’s even better is if your fence gate is made of a different base material like aluminum, vinyl, or chain link because then your gate post should still be more heavy-duty than the rest of the fence posts. Aluminum gate posts and chain link gate posts have thicker walls of metal to create a more substantial gate post that will keep the hinges intact through constant use. Vinyl swing gates should have a metal insert in the gate post; this metal insert adds more stability and gives something for the hinges to grip onto when attaching the gate hinges to the post.
2 – Use the right hinges: There are many hinges available for purchase, so how do you know which one’s designed to last?
We recommend using heavy- duty strapping hinges if they’re a feasible option for you. The long leaves on a strapping hinge provide extra stability in heavy-duty applications.
3. Upgrade to a metal gate frame:
When properly constructed, a wood gate with a metal frame will be able to support the weight of the gate. However, upgrading the gate frame to a welded steel one will create additional support. Going with a metal gate frame will also help combat common gate problems related to warping and twisting lumber. This is especially helpful when you have a gate door that is larger than the standard 4ft width.
4. Avoid panel-matching decorative wood gates: Having a custom-built decorative wood fence such as a cap & trim or a lattice top fence style is a great way of adding a beautiful design feature to your property. One way to ensure your gate lasts as long as possible is to avoid building the gate door to match the rest of the fence. Since wood gates are extremely heavy, and the more lumber that is used on your gate, the heavier it will be. If you have a decorative wood fence with cap & trim built at your home, building your gate to match with the cap & trim at the top will make the gate heavier. To keep your gate lasting as long as possible, you should consider going with an arch-top design. This allows you to keep the decorative design elements while avoiding adding unnecessary weight and strain to the gate door.
An alternative to a traditional swing gate would be a sliding gate that is assembled on a track. Keep in mind, that to have a gate installed on a track, you will need the appropriate clearance for that gate to slide into full open position. There are several sliding gate options, including v-track gates and cantilever gates.
Sliding Gates
A sliding gate is mounted parallel to the inside of the fence and slides horizontally back and forth across the gate opening. The slide gate uses rollers or wheels on the bottom of the gate to support it. These rollers typically ride along a metal track, or v-track, that has been installed along the ground across the gate opening. V-tracks require a paved flat surface to function and oftentimes can be blocked by debris such as rocks, branches, or snow, causing problems with the gate functionality. Alternatively, a pneumatic wheel is recommended to guide the gate across uneven terrain. Sliding gates have the distinction of giving your fence and by extension, your home, a stylish aesthetic makeover from other homes with standard or traditional gated fences.
V-Track
Pneumatic Wheel
Cantilever Gates
Cantilever gates do not have a wheel that guides the bottom of the gate along the ground, therefore cantilever gates require a counterbalance to support the weight of the gate. The counterbalance should be approximately ½ the length of the gate opening. This means that you need even more clearance when going with a cantilever gate. The cantilever gates are worth the hassle, though, as they’re great for ease of use and how slick they make your property look.
Decorative Estate Gates and Arch Top Gate Designs
Aluminum gates offer great options to add some design elements to your property. Beautiful and relatively lightweight, aluminum gates can be used for just about every situation. Not only that, but aluminum gates look good when installed with other styles of fences, such as wood privacy fences and vinyl privacy fences. Whether going for aesthetics or security, aluminum gates come in varying grades, thicknesses, finishes, and styles to fit every taste or budget.
Aluminum or wrought iron estate gates are among the most common types of gates used for driveway entrances. With a continuous arch top or a swooping estate top style, it is easy to add curb appeal to the front of your home. You can get these gates made big enough to span the width of your driveway with either a single gate or double door gate.
Arch top designs are available in single door walk gates as well. Going for an arch top walk gate is a great way to beatify your fence and give it a unique appearance from the rest. If you have a paved walkway or strategically placed gardening, a arch top walk gate is a perfect way to compliment your space.
Hardware Upgrades
There are many ways to customize your gate to suit your needs. If you have an aluminum fence that needs to be pool code compliant, you may be required to have a top pull magna latch. If you have a vinyl privacy fence and are looking for a way to secure the yard with a keyed entry, a LokkLatch might be exactly what you are looking for. The options to swap our hardware are seemingly limitless, consult with a Big Jerry’s Fencing professional to discuss options for upgrading your latch or hinge hardware.
Magna latch
Lokk Latch
