Types and Ideas to Choose Perfect Gate for the House

A gate for a private house is the same as a door for an apartment. They protect the tenants from the penetration of strangers and are the “face” of the owners: therefore, both the ease of use and the aesthetics of the overall picture will depend on the type and appearance of the structure.

1. The Main Types of Gates

By design features, there are 4 types of gates for a private house:

Sliding Gates

The design resembles a compartment or a barn door – to open the passage, the sash should be rolled back onto the fence. Sliding gates are a fairly common solution in the private sector, which is due to many advantages:

• Saving space. Sliding gates usually occupy the empty free space along the fence, which is not used anyway.
• The possibility of automation. At any time, a drive is usually installed on a ready-made system, thanks to which it will be easier than ever to open the gate.

Of the minuses – complex installation, the need for a foundation. In addition, not in all cases along the fence is there a place for opening the sash.

Swing Gates

A variant of the most simple gates for a private house – they open like ordinary doors on hinges. The device is so trite that it does not require special knowledge and skills – install it yourself, without long calculations and preparation. They are made from various materials at hand (metal, wood, plastic), so they are suitable for any fence: from a picket fence to complex carved forging. Other advantages :

• They do not have an upper crossbar, and they are suitable for the entry of vehicles of different sizes.
• They will last for a long time, also thanks to simple and quick repairs.
• Material, fittings, installation are inexpensive.

The main disadvantage of this system is that it needs to open somewhere (to the yard or the street). But there is not enough space for an opening sash in all areas. In addition, you will have to consider protection against accidental opening so that the collar in the open position does not scratch the car standing inside.

Foldable Gates

The so-called accordion gates have a guide from below, along which they fold to the side. On the one hand, they do not require space for opening, like swing ones. On the other hand, they do not occupy a line along the fence, like sliding ones. In addition, there are also automatic opening mechanisms for such a fence, which facilitates the operation process.

But there is one big drawback – for the rollers to work properly, the guide must be constantly cleaned, especially from snow. Therefore, it is not recommended to install such gates in northern latitudes.

Lifting Gates

This type includes lift-and-turn, roll, and sectional options. In general, all types of gates for a private house, which, when opened, go upstairs. For fences, roll-ups are most often used, less often sectional. The bottom line is the same – at the touch of a button, the canvas drives up, and after entering the car, it goes back down.

The main plus: saving space on the side and in the opening itself. Minus – the presence of the upper crossbar to which the gate actually rises. In addition, they are considered not the most reliable as protection against burglars.

In addition to the type of construction, there is also a division according to the method of opening. There are mechanical and automatic methods.

2. How to Find the Correct Size of Gates?

Width

It seems to many that the wider the gate with a wicket, the better. In fact, this is not entirely true because making and installing a heavy sash of more than 2 m is an expensive and complicated process. Reinforced support posts, plenty of opening space, high-quality wear-resistant parts are required.

Experts recommend not the maximum possible but the optimal size for a particular case in a country house. Depends on:

• Entrance conditions. From a comfortable wide road, it will be possible to drive into an opening of 3-3.5 m. The width of the street also matters if the doors are hinged.
• Vehicle dimensions. For the parking of a minibus and a car, different conditions are required. In most cases, the optimal dimensions of the opening are 350-400 cm.

Height

The indicator is not relevant for all doors with or without wickets – only for those with a crossbar in the design. For example, sliding or lifting.

For a passenger sedan or hatchback, 2 m is enough. For an SUV or a pickup, it is better to leave 2.2-2.5. If it is planned to drive small trucks (like a gazelle) to the site, ~ 3-3.2 meters from the ground is required.

3. What Materials are better to Make?

Wooden Gate

Natural wood is easy to fit into any style – from traditional to modern. The texture goes well with the environment, wood or brick buildings. True, only sliding or swing doors are made from wood.

Pros :

• Environmental friendliness. 100% natural renewable resource.
• Profitability. The construction of boards is the most budgetary option.
• Ease of assembly. A self-made gate is available.
• Possibility of renovation. If one board is damaged, it is easy to replace it.

Cons :

• The complexity of preparation. To extend the tree’s life, it is impregnated with protective compounds against fire, water, pests.
• Fragility. Even with careful preparation, wood has a shorter lifespan and margin of safety than metal.

But thanks to the large selection of paints, the finish of the wooden gate can be made original by painting it with a gradient, applying patterns, or an inscription.

Metal Gates

Modern systems are often made of metal. In terms of strength, durability, reliability, it is deservedly considered the optimal material for the manufacture of gates. Metal entrance structures do not require maintenance, are distinguished by a long service life, and are manufactured individually.

What other characteristics do metal doors have depends on the type :

• Decking. Galvanized sheets come in different colors, are inexpensive, and are quickly and easily installed on the frame. An excellent economy option, which has only one serious drawback – appearance. Such a solution cannot be called refined and beautiful.
• Forging. It has established itself as a reliable aesthetic option for decorating a house inside and out. Wrought iron gates with a wicket look expensive. They can be made according to an individual project. There is only one drawback – high cost.

When deciding what the sashes will be made of, consider an important nuance: does the material obscure the view of the site? And do you want to hide from prying eyes? If straight-through is an advantage, a picket fence or forging will do. Blind doors are made of boards, wood-polymer composite, corrugated board, or “placing” sheets of metal or polycarbonate under forging.

4. What you need to know about a Gates with Wicket?

The first thing to decide for a gate with a wicket is whether the parts will interact. That is, there will be a built-in gate or a separate one.

Embedding the entrance into the gate seems to be more convenient, economical, easier in the end. But let’s look at it from the other side:

• The presence of a threshold. For example, there will definitely be a sill at the door in the sliding gate, through which you will have to step over each time.
• The possibility of breakage. Accidental opening of the gate with the wicket open will result in damage.
• Reduced security. The crossing of the pedestrian paths and the driver will create constant problems for both the entrant and the entrant.

Professionals advise making a gate for a private house separately – to the right or left of the entrance. This will allow you to correctly separate the pedestrian and carriageway areas to protect the gate mechanism from breakdowns. To make the structure look one-piece, it is correct to make the wicket and gate leaves from the same material in the same style.

What to Consider when Choosing a Design of Gates?

For the exterior of the house to look harmonious, it must combine everything: finishing the facade of the house and other buildings, the material of the fence and doors, the style of execution. Let’s analyze the main modern trends.

High Tech

Choose a minimalistic design, modern materials: plastic, metal, WPC. It is better to make the shutters deaf, always automatic.

Loft

Materials are suitable for rough, industrial: welded metal, brick or concrete supports, burnt wood.

Classic

Timeless black forging with silver or gilded details just right. Perfect for brick or plastered houses.

Provence

The doors are made of wood or forged, preferably with metal elements (hinges, locks, awnings). Pillars – stone (sandstone, limestone), choose white painted brick as a compromise.

Country

Let facades, fences, and gates be 99% wood: choose thick, natural beams, unedged boards. An excellent option for a summer cottage fence.

Modern

The main condition is that the gate should not be deaf. Preference is given to welded metal structures with abstract geometric or floral patterns.

6. How can you Decorate the Gate?

Since decor is a purely individual matter, there are no exact instructions in this matter. Recommendations only. Suitable as decorations:

Forged Items

They are welded to the metal base. A ready-made metal decor on sale – assemble a composition from it or order from a master for an individual project.

Thread

An alternative to forging for wood substrates. The elements are cut out on the gates or separate boards attached to the shutters.

Drawings

3D airbrushing looks especially impressive: with its help, they hide the nondescript corrugated board and fit the gate into the surrounding landscape.

Plants

If you let the shoots of creeping ivy or, for example, maiden grapes run along with the shutters, the view will turn out beautiful, but the gate will not open. So choose small hanging planters with petunias or other flowers as an alternative.

Superstructure

This is no longer about the decoration of the doors but rather about the design. Install a beautiful arch on top of an ordinary gate to completely transform the appearance of the entrance group.