Aspects to Consider When Installing a Metal Driveway Gate

Posted on: 18 November 2020

When choosing an automatic gate for your driveway, you need to consider various aspects. You may have your favourite designs and materials in mind, but will they suit your home? The following points will help you to get the best fit.

Land Contours and Space

Any gate you install needs to suit the lay of the land and environment. For example, a swinging gate can't open inwards on an upward-sloping driveway as the gate will ground in the earth. You could install an outward swinging gate instead if that's allowable in your area. Though, depending on the landscape, the gates may then block passersby.

Sliding and bifold gates provide another option. Sliding gates need a free area alongside the fence while bifold gates bend into sections. These two models don't impinge on driveway space, which can help on compact properties.

Gate Designs and Privacy

Once you've worked out what models practically fit, you can have fun picking the design and colour. First, though, work out its purpose. Do you want the gate to provide privacy? If so, you could opt for a solid metal-panelled design or a slat gate? With slat gates, you choose their width and spacing to create your ideal privacy level. Conversely, to form a physical but see-through barrier, install a tubular metal or picket structure.

Automatic gates come in varied designs, some featuring ornate iron-work scrolls, others showing slimline slats to suit different architectural styles. You'll also have a wide range of hues to choose from as metal can be painted or powder-coated different colours. As well as solid colours, a metal can be finished to mimic wood, giving your gate a natural look that won't rot or warp.

Resilience to Local Conditions

Gates stand without protection in all conditions, so they need to be resilient. The best option depends on your local region and climate. For coastal or alpine areas, you could consider resilient aluminium gates that can endure all conditions. When it comes into contact with oxygen, aluminium automatically forms a layer of aluminium oxide that protects the surface from rusting. Thus, you'll never have to worry about an aluminium gate developing a reddish-brown patina.

Metals such as steel that contain iron can rust. However, they're typically covered in a protective zinc coating (galvanised steel) or powder-coated with a pigment and resin finish. Thus, steel gates survive most conditions, except the most demanding. Stainless steel is one form that contains chromium which inhibits rust. So it too suits marine and alpine environments.

Reach out to a professional to talk about the gate you want. 

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