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It doesn’t matter where you go in the world; you are never far away from venturing into a gate. From gates that protect our businesses and properties to ornamental, stately gates that welcome us into some neighborhoods, gates can provide a special blend of functionality and beauty.
In this article, we will take an in-depth look into various gate types and gate hardware. Before doing this, however, it is important to highlight the 4 major gate categories.
Major Gate Categories
Rural and Farm Gates
Farm gates are heavy-duty and offer additional durability in terrible weather conditions.
Industrial Gates
Industrial-grade grates are typically used in certain vicinities like airports, manufacturing plants, and factory complexes where additional security and durability are required.
Commercial Gates
Commercial gates are typically used to protect playgrounds, vacation resorts, childcare centers, and schools.
Residential Gates
Residential gates are the standard gates seen surrounding gardens, pools, and homes. Practicality and functionality are often combined with a design that matches the property’s look and feel.
Basic Parts of Gate Hardware
Regardless of the material used to create gate hardware, all gates have three unique parts. Each of these parts functions together to create a durable and functional piece of hardware.
Gate Hardware
The gate hardware is an important category. It encompasses everything a gate installation needs, from gate hinges and latches to drop bolts, gate stops, and gate handles. The gate hardware is perhaps one of the most important aspects of the gate, and when considered, can determine the gate’s functionality and durability.
Using inferior gate hardware can negatively affect your gate and the entire system. Higher quality hardware typically lasts longer for the gate latching, closing, and working as expected.
Transforming your regular gate into an automatic one is all about having the right tools. A control board, among other things, is imperative.
Infills
When most people think of a privacy gate, they tend to consider tall, wrought or wooden iron infills. These panels or pickets are used to fill the gate frame. They can also be crafted from solid, stamped, or perforated materials.
Frame
The frame provides the gate with structural support. This piece of gate hardware is where most installations are quite creative with customization. Gate frames can be constructed from various materials, including vinyl, aluminum, metal, and wood.
Which Gate Material Is Best?
The gate material you select typically depends on your needs, project budget, and application. Just as there’s a great gate design for every specification, you can also get gate hinges, gate latches, and other gate hardware accessories that match your fencing application and the associated advantages and disadvantages.
Glass Gates
Glass gates are a visually appealing modern solution for apartments, homes, and swimming pools. These gates offer an unobstructed view of the area. While glass gates have a great visual appeal, these gates are heavy and typically require bespoke gate hardware and installation methods to remain as effective as safety gates.
A pro of installing a glass gate is that the smooth panels are difficult to climb, making them great for the security conscious. Nevertheless, a glass gate can become a sail once the wind picks up, making installing hardware such as strong latches and hinges necessary.
For added security, consider a solar gate system like the LiftMaster LA412PKGUL DUAL.
Chain Link Gates
Chain link fences are common, as they are typically applied in sports areas, factories, schoolyards and temporary fencing. While chain link fences aren’t the most visually appealing type of gates, they make up for it by being quite low maintenance. They can also be installed as high as necessary.
Framing is typically done around cross members and ground posts. In terms of gate hardware like hinges and gate latches, these can be clamped on, through-bolted, or welded on.
PVC or Vinyl Gates
Vinyl gates were first introduced in the 80s as a cheaper solution for horse enclosures; however, they are now commonly used in residential properties alongside racecourses and farms. These gates are low maintenance and easy to clean. They are also weather resistant and reliable.
Those searching for additional durability when installing vinyl or PVC gates can use a UV stabilizer. These gates also come in a wide range of color options meaning they do not have to be coated, sealed, or painted.
Wood Gates
Natural and beautiful softwood and hardwood gates are typically selected by homeowners thanks to their aesthetic appeal, lower cost and visual privacy. Wood gates can be stained or painted to create a barrier against the weather.
Furthermore, they can be left in their natural state. Wood gates utilize a range of constructed methods, from being dowelled, glued, or nailed. Most times, since wood gates can be quite large, welded metal frames and hardware accompany them to ensure they remain structurally sound.
Aluminum Gates
Aluminum is a popular material for creating gate hardware. The material is light, easily fabricated, and resistant to corrosion and other environmental factors. These gates can be welded or assembled with fasteners. Aluminum gates can also be powder coated in a wide range of colors.
Aluminum gates are typically seen around schools, swimming pools and homes due to their ability to withstand daily usage. Furthermore, higher-quality builds with thicker wall sections offer much more durability.
Stainless Steel Gates
Steel gates are strong, heavy-duty gates typically welded to a stronger out frame with baluster infills or smaller pickets. Customized installations can also be stamped, wire-cut, or have elegant panels, depending on the project’s vision.
While steel gates are extremely strong, they can be prone to rusting. To avoid this, they need to be protected with powder or galvanizing coating. Furthermore, steel gates tend to wear at pivot points a lot quicker than other gate types.
For projects with steel gates, gate hinges and gate latches capable of bearing the weight of the heavy steel gates must be used.
Essential Gate Hardware
Installing a new gate is a pertinent decision, whether commercial, industrial, or residential. Generally, gate hinges and latches represent just 1% of the overall fencing installation costs; however, this category of gate hardware ensures the other 99% function optimally.
Every house could always use a gate no matter what type it might be! So now that we have discussed the wonderful benefits of gates, there’s never been a better time than now to get one. If you need help finding just the right gate for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us.
