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The world has become unsafe with the rise of burglaries and property crime. That said, having a gate with heavy duty gate hardware optimizes the safety and security of your property and the people within.
A secured gate requires heavy duty hardware to properly protect and prevent unauthorized access. The durability of the gate hardware ensures long-lasting fortification for your home or business establishment.
What Is Gate Hardware?
Regardless of the type of gate installed on your property, they all share common gate hardware. Gate hardware includes gate hinges, gate latches or handles, gate stops and other gate accessories that allow for smooth and easy gate movement.
These gate hardware should be sturdy enough to withstand outdoor elements such as rain and sun. They should also be made with durable materials that resist corrosion and rust, like stainless steel, with a proper finish.
No matter the gate style, you may notice that gates sag over time because of the burden of their weight. While sagging occurs naturally, heavy duty gate hardware delays it for many years.
For example, a heavy-duty gate hinge can hold the gate weight better and be stronger than a regular hinge. You can choose from several types of gate hinges, such as self closing hinges. Choose carefully what suits your gate best and ensure that it is sturdy and can be paired with a heavy duty gate latch.
Importance of Heavy Duty Gate Hardware
Gate hardware is an indispensable part of the gate system. Each piece of hardware has specific functions that only they can do.
A heavy duty gate hardware is essential because it guarantees the system’s longevity and durability. Over time, gate hardware may corrode and wear off. However, heavy duty hardware slows down deterioration and aids the gate better.
Types of Gate Hardware
As door hardware is vital for doors to function, gate hardware also plays an important role in gates to properly secure your property. Each gate consists of primary gate hardware that facilitates its operation, whether manually or automatically.
Gate Hinges
A gate hinge has a limited angle rotation that allows the gate to open and close. Gate hinges have more complex designs than traditional hinges. They are shorter and thicker. Some gate hinges also feature more leaves than traditional ones.
The leaf connects the gate to the fence, post or wall. A bolt or a screw is driven inside the precut holes to fasten the leaf in place. Choosing a gate hinge for your gate depends on what you need. Surface mounted strap hinges have the best durability level and are perfect for heavy and large gates as long as the size fits the gate perfectly.
They are also made from different materials, including stainless steel. As far as heavy duty is concerned, the most popular choice is stainless steel since it can endure outdoor elements.
Gate Latches and Locks
Latches and locks work hand in hand to keep the gate from opening and subsequently prevent unauthorized people from entering the premises. You will also require heavy duty latches and locks to hold a heavy duty gate in place.
A gate latch secures a fence gate. Gate latches have different versions, with some being self locking while others need to be secured using a padlock or some other locking device.
For durability, latches can be made from metal like stainless steel, aluminum and bronze. However, there are also latches available in wood, but they are not as sturdy. Know which type of gate latch suits your gate best before buying one.
A lock is needed to reinforce latches and keep unwarranted access. It is a user’s preference for what kind of lock to use. Some mechanical locks require physical keys, such as padlocks and mortise locks.
However, there has been a huge surge of automated locks nowadays using keypads and smart locks, among others.
Gate Accessories
Gate accessories are part of gate hardware. While some people opt not to add these accessories, having them around maintains a gate’s resilience and life span.
A gate stop, for example, is an accessory that prevents the gate from opening or swinging too far. This helps prevent damage to the hinges and latch, especially when the gate is swung haphazardly.
Other Gate Hardware
Guide rollers, wheels and tracks are also part of the gate hardware. However, not all gates have them. They are used for sliding gate applications. The rollers are the one that guides the gate to properly move along a linear track. Wheels and tracks, on the other hand, provide strength and support to the gate by facilitating easy opening and closing speed.
How to Choose Heavy Duty Gate Hardware
Selecting the right gate hardware requires proper knowledge of what you need and the function of the gate. Will the hardware be part of a residential gate or a commercial gate? Is there a lot of traffic or not?
Answering the above questions assists you in choosing the right gate hardware for your needs.
Size
One of the major considerations in choosing gate hardware is the size. Make sure to choose hardware with a size proportionate to your gate size. Regardless of how heavy duty it is, small gate hardware will collapse under the burden of a heavy gate. So, you need to install hardware that can properly carry the gate's weight and usage frequency.
Material
Stainless steel is one of the most popular materials for gate hardware. Not only are they durable and element-resistant, but they are also affordable and last a long time. However, if steel isn’t your cup of tea, you can opt for other materials such as cast iron, brass, and other metals; some even choose wood.
Style
As stated earlier, gate hardware has various styles. Latches and hinges come in several types. Understanding what these different types are for will help you narrow down your choices. Choose the one that serves the purpose of your gate and ensure that it can withstand outdoor elements.
Heavy Duty Gate Hardware
A gate installation cannot be complete without gate hardware. While standard hardware works just fine, installing heavy duty gate hardware prolongs the life of the gate. It also helps with maintenance and sturdiness.
Protecting your property should be a top concern, especially since property crimes are the most common type in the United States. You can help combat this problem by securing your property with the help of reliable gates equipped with heavy duty gate hardware.
All Security Equipment has many offerings to secure your property. We have all sorts of gate operators, access control systems and security cameras, among others! You can give us a call or message for further inquiries!
