James Mitchell

steel gate in front of the mansionAn amazing house is not complete without the proper gate. Gates provide security for large estates, and at the same time, they provide a glimpse of what the place looks like. They are designed to be elegant, giving a stately air to the property.

Choosing a gate

There are many things to consider about gates. The easiest thing to decide on is the dimensions. These include the height, width, weight, and clearance. There is a popular opinion that the higher the gate, the better for security. But this is not always the case, as there is a threshold where taller gates would be too heavy for the hinges and supports.

The weight factor also comes into play when considering the gate material. Most gates bought these days are made from aluminum. These are strong and durable but lighter than steel. The weight is also a consideration for electric gates. Electric gates are triggered from the home or a central building. If it is too heavy, the electric motor would have to be also more powerful, and the railings should also be strong to handle the weight.

External design

These factors are not usually seen when you walk up to a gate. The design is all you see, and this frames the image of the house inside the premises. Nowadays, gates are less imperial than those designed decades ago. The basic gate design is what remains.

Decades ago, each gate was welded by hand and built on site. Nowadays, gates are bought off the shelf or online. You can go to a large hardware warehouse, and you can go home with the gate of your choice, stowed at the back of your pickup truck. You can also order it online, and have it delivered to your home. There are gate installers who will deliver the pre-fabricated gate to your residence and install it for you. Alternatively, you can install the gate yourself, with little do-it-yourself know-how.

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