Open Gates: New Ideas In Fence Construction

Front gates along a driveway can help to add security to your property, keeping out intruders and uninvited guests, as well as pesky salespersons and other solicitors. Gates can be especially important for larger properties, with a house that sits far from the roadway or sidewalk, where it then becomes more difficult to note an intruder on the property even when you're at home. If you're thinking of having automatic gates added to your property's fence and driveway, note a few questions you might have about this piece and its function, and this can help you determine the right choice for your needs.

Are they heavy?

Aluminium gates offer the durability of metal, while also being very lightweight. If you want hinged gates that you may need to open manually, and prefer the look of metal but are worried about having to manage heavy gates, opt for a powder coated aluminium.

Wood gates can actually be heavy or light, depending on the species of wood you choose, and if you opt for very thick, solid panels for the gate, or if you choose small pickets instead. Discuss your options with your installer so he or she can help you decide on a gate that will be easy enough to manage manually, if necessary, while still being strong enough to provide the security you need.

Do they lock in place?

A gate wouldn't offer much security if it didn't lock in place; rolling or sliding gates may have a locking mechanism that won't allow someone to just manually slide the gate against its chains and rollers. Hinged gates can be outfitted with locks that work automatically, to keep the gate secure when not in use. Gates can also be outfitted with manual locks; these may work with an actual key or with a card that works on a control pad in front of the gate. Whatever your needs for security, you can typically find a gate and locking mechanism that will work for you.

Can't someone just climb the gate?

If you're very concerned about security, consider a gate with metal bars that have sharp finials at the top. These points at the tops of the bars are a great deterrent to someone climbing the gate itself and are very difficult to bypass. You might also consider a solid panel gate that is too tall for the average person to simply scale; the solid panel provides a very poor toehold, making the gate difficult to climb.