Fancy Up Your Walk Gate Design

A walk gate is a wondrous thing. You can add so much character to a garden or front yard with the installation of an iron walk gate. Walk gates usually measure about 3' - 0" wide, like the size of a standard door opening, although they can be custom made as wide as 4' - 6" (We usually don’t recommend a walk gate that is any wider than 4' - 6" because it becomes too heavy and sags on the hinges).  If your opening is wider than 4' - 6" then a matching fence panel can be implemented to fill the gap.

In view of the fact that walk gates are not large, this is the time to really fancy up your iron design without having to spend too much money. There are many iron components that can be added to a walk gate that will transform it from simple into something magical. This is the time to combine spears with scrolls and maybe even twisted pickets with baskets. I know that sounds like a lot of iron design in one small gate, but the end result of adding so many different design components is often amazing.

I receive calls from people needing fencing, maybe to go around the perimeter of their yard or surround a pool area.  When installing fencing, there’s normally a need for at least one walk gate in order to complete the project.  Installing fencing can be expensive, so a basic design is the most cost effective way to go, but if you're going to install a walk gate, or two, this is your opportunity to place your stamp on your project.  Changing the walk gate design from basic into ornate or whimsical can make the outcome fabulous and you can still keep within budget.

Designing a walk gate is such a fun part of an iron design project. Talk with your fabricator and explain your desires for the "look" you want to achieve, show him pictures of designs you love. Let your fabricator know what your budget is and then he can guide you in designing something unique and cost appropriate.  Designing a walk gate really is your opportunity to create something that says "wow" without having to refinance your home to pay for it. Go a little wild, design a walk gate that interests you and compliments or enhances your outdoor landscaping and the architectural design of your home. You won’t regret it, and as a matter of fact, I think you’ll thank me for it.

Arched Gate or Straight Top?

I love an arched top on a gate. There are so many different arch designs; half moon arch, gently sloping arch and an elaborate arch.  Each of these arch designs creates a different look. Having an arched top in your design will add a little extra cost to the project. The labor involved in bending the arch does add to the bottom line but it may be nominal so don't be afraid to incorporate some type of arch, and then ask for a credit to have a flat top if the price comes in over budget.  The most important aspect is the size steel that you use for your frame. The larger the steel, the more difficult it is to bend. Likewise, if you choose a steel size that isn't square but rather rectangular in shape, then that can cost more because the arch may have to be bent by the steel supplier, off site. Arching a large rectangular piece of steel requires heavy duty equipment and your average iron shop may not be outfitted for it.

A standard size to use for a gate frame is 2" square or less. Take a look through your neighborhood, check out the iron gates, and notice the size of tube steel used. I think you'll see that the size ranges  between 1" square up to 2" square. Any of these sizes make for a sturdy, lovely looking gate.

Most contemporary styles use a straight top rather than arched. The clean lines of a straight top usually complement the lines of a contemporary style home. If you've chosen a straight top design, then you have a few more options when it comes to steel size. Keep in mind that you don't want to make your gate too heavy, which creates another set of problems. If you’re sold on a larger size steel frame, let's say tube steel 3" x 2", a straight top is the time to use it. If you choose this larger size, you really need to use a thicker wall for the tube steel in order to bend this size without it wanting to twist during the process. If you use a thicker wall for the top of the frame, then to compromise and reduce the weight of the gate, you can use the same size steel but in a thinner wall, not a thin wall, just thinner, for the sides and bottom. 

If an arched top is your dream, definitely go for it.  You may have to compromise on the height of the arch, or the curves of the arch, but it’s worth it.  Your home will be framed by something elegant and traditional.  It will definitely enhance the value of your home and satisfy you discerning eye.

Pillars vs Posts

Before beginning your driveway gate project, take some time to determine how you want the completed project to look. Do you want to have stone or brick pillars at each side of your driveway entrance, or are steel posts fine. Decide what design you want for your gate. Do you want your gate automated? If you want your gate automated, how will guests enter the premises? Don't forget about safety and the different devices that can be installed. These are all important questions to ask yourself before making any decisions.

Stone pillars are a lovely choice to adorn your new driveway gate. Before having your masonry contractor begin building the stone pillars have him coordinate with your iron gate fabricator. The best way to install posts for the gate is to have the posts fabricated and then have your masonry contractor embed them into the ground and inside the pillars. Fabricating posts for this type of application requires that several pieces of horizontal tube steel be welded to the vertical post. There may be two to three locations depending upon the number of gate hinges required. The end of the horizontal tube steel will have a plate welded to it; this area can be seen on the pillars and is so that the gate hinges can be attached there. A little pre-planning in this area can really save on cost and headaches down the road.

The other option is to have steel posts installed outside of the stone pillars. If you choose this option, then the post size is determined by the height, length and weight of your gate. This type of installation can be done after your stone pillars are complete. In this scenario, some people prefer to have the steel posts installed behind their stone pillars, so that they're not seen from the street. When stone pillars are already in existence in the area, then this is often the option chosen. Installing the steel post behind the stone pillar hides the post which in many cases is desirable and it allows the attention to be drawn to the stone pillar.

Whatever you choose, try and get all your ducks in a row beforehand, coordinate with all the contractors, this way the end result will be what you want rather than what you’re stuck with.

Finials or Spears

There are many ways to protect your home from the outside world. Understanding that nothing is perfect, iron fencing and gates are still a great solution. Not only can the design be beautiful but it can be a form of security too. I'm sometimes asked what can be done to a gate or fence to make it more secure. One option is to add spears (finials) to the top. There are numerous spear/finial designs to choose from, some being more for decoration and others more for protection. We all know that the presence of an iron gate or fence will not prevent intruders from entering your property but it sure will detour them. Add spears/finials to the top and it will make any intruder think twice. It's just more difficult to climb a fence or gate with something sharp and pointed sitting on top.

Spears can be welded right onto the top railing of most designs. If you want added height, then you can weld pickets onto the top rail and have the spears welded to the pickets. Spears are an easy way to enhance any iron design. Keeping in mind that iron design is a matter of taste and adding spears may not accomplish the look you’re trying to achieve.  Spears may not be an option for you because they are not always appropriate for all applications, but for many iron designs spears/finials can be the completing factor, the piece de resistance.

Ask your fabricator to give you options for security fencing and gates.  Another alternative, which is more of a commercial look, is to have pre-manufactured fencing or gates installed.  The pre-manufactured product comes, as an option, with what are called pinched spears at the top.  The steel picket is kept as one piece and forged into a sharp pointed spear at the end that looks like it’s pinched together.  These pinched spears are very sharp and can be a diversion to invaders but they do lack a design element that can be needed to create a more decorative iron look.  Ask your fabricator to provide you with samples of spears/finials; you’ll then be able to envision how they’ll look on your iron design creation before making your final design decision.   

Scrolls

There is nothing more beautiful than an ornately designed iron gate, one with scrolls and spindles that is further adorned with picket collars and finials.  This type design is truly a work of art, special and unique.  So many people call me thinking that they can’t afford such a lavish creation, but that’s not entirely true.  There are so many wonderful components available, many incorporating different sizes and shapes of scrolls.  If you want an amazing piece of iron work, but your budget doesn’t warrant something custom, then consider having your fabricator utilize the myriad of  hand forged components that are available, sometimes the larger the iron component the less expensive the project.  I’m not suggesting that a larger component, consisting of many different sizes and shapes of scrolls, isn’t expensive to purchase, but it’s not nearly as expensive as having your fabricator  purchase many smaller scroll designs that have to be independently welded together.  Labor is costly, so consider lessening the amount of labor it takes to create an ornate design by implementing a larger, already welding together, scroll component. 

Scrolls are an elegant design accouterment they add grace and style to any iron product.  A simple scroll can change a gate design from looking plain into looking Old Worlde.  Add several scroll components and you have an entirely different look.  You can use just a few scrolls or many to dress up your iron design.  So often, my clients don’t think they can afford a “fancy” iron design, so they don’t even ask about options.  As a fabricator, I want to respect my client’s wishes when it comes to design.  If they’re asking me to provide a simple, plain design, then that’s what I’ll do.  Don’t be afraid to ask for an upgraded design if that is your true desire.  It really doesn’t hurt to ask, and you might be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.  Plain isn’t always the least expensive way to go.

Embrace your imagination, ask your fabricator to show you different scroll designs and visualize incorporating them into a plain design.  You might only need a few scrolls scattered throughout and this may only increase the cost a few hundred dollars.  Remember, iron design is a lifetime investment, a few hundred dollars for many years of enjoyment is well worth it, and money well spent.