What Are My Options When Installing A Driveway Gate?

You're at the point where you want a driveway gate. You've scoured the Internet for gate designs, you've painstakingly sketched out what you envision your driveway gate to look like and you believe that you've done the homework required to collect estimates. Then, you contact the first iron fabricator and that's when the questions begin. The following is a list:

• Do you want a manual or automated driveway gate?
• If you want your gate automated, ask about the operators available, the choices are many.  Keep in mind, that you don't want the cheapest operator out there.  There are many good medium priced operators and that will be your best bet.  A medium price for a single swing gate operator is about $1,400.00 including tax and freight. This does not include the price to install the operator.
• Do you have electrical available at the point where the gate operator will be installed?
• How will you exit and enter your driveway gate if you're on foot?  The best option is to have a walk gate installed adjacent to your driveway gate (if you have the space).  If not, a keypad can be installed.
• If you're interested in a double swing gate, are you okay with having your driveway concrete cut?  This has to be done in order for the electrical to connect to both sides.  There is a new operating system available that works like a blue tooth eliminating the need for wiring to stretch across your driveway.  This might be a good alternative for some applications.
• What type of safety devices do you want installed?  If you want your gate to open automatically when you leave your home and close automatically when you enter or exit then you will need safety and exit loop detectors installed.
• If I install a single swing gate what are my design alternatives?  Most driveways measure at least 11' - 0".  As you can imagine, that is a very wide expanse.  When you have one wide panel it can be very heavy and can cause the gate to sag.  One good way to help with the sagging is to install heavy duty adjustable gate hinges.  This won't eliminate the sagging problem altogether so you may wish to implement a solid kickplate at the bottom, or a diagonal bar that extends from one top corner to the opposite bottom corner.  This helps with rigidity.  Most people think a kickplate is for beauty only but it also serves a purpose.
• How will my guests and maintenance people enter through the gate?  There are several options.  You can install a keypad and distribute codes.  You can have a telephone entry system installed.  If you choose this option then the guest will press the telephone key and that places a call to your phone.  Once you determine whether or not you want the visitor to enter then you can press a button on your phone to activate the gate.  There are also entry systems that communicate directly with your cell phone.  Unlike the telephone entry keypad systems, this does not require that a telephone wire be installed.  This system is operated like your cell phone with a Sim card. 

Another issue that you may run into with an automated single swing driveway gate is that due to it's lenght it will gain momentum as it opens and closes.  It's not the best idea to have a gate that opens and shuts in a speedy manner so that's something to consider.

Educate yourself on the best options for a driveway gate. You'll be ahead of the game if you find out what is available, what designs are best and whether you want a manual or automated gate, not to mention what fits your budget. Don't scrimp when it comes to automation and remember that you’ll have this gate for many; many years to come so why not make it the best design possible, one you’ll love and be proud to have as the entrance to your home.

Do I Always Have To Schedule An Appointment To Obtain Pricing?

In this day and age, of high gas prices and time constraints, it isn’t always necessary to meet in person to discuss pricing for an iron project.  There is a way for an iron fabricator to come up with approximate pricing without scheduling an appointment.  This of course is dependent upon the type of iron work you’re looking for and the degree of difficulty.  Obtaining pricing over the phone is especially helpful if you're only looking for a budget price. Keep in mind, that pricing may change once you meet but it is usually by a nominal amount.

If you are in the beginning stages of your project the first step is to pick out a design. This can easily be done by perusing websites. Look at photos of designs appropriate to your project. Print the designs that you like and download them to save on your computer.

If you’re shopping for a price, the following is especially helpful and will save you time and aggravation. The best way to find a good iron fabricator is through recommendations. Ask your neighbors or friends for references. Stroll through your neighborhood, look for homes that have an iron design (that you like and looks like a solid product), and ask the owner what contractor they used for their project. In most cases, people will be happy to share contact information of the iron fabrication shop that they used. You can also ask that person questions about the project to further educate yourself. You probably want an iron fabrication shop that is in your local area, so asking neighbors is a great way to find someone nearby. If you choose a shop that is a distance away, be prepared for a higher price because of the travel time.

Now that you have a recommendation(s) of an iron shop (or several shops) to contact, there is a little more work for you to do. When discussing your project with an iron fabricator, they will first need to know about what design you've chosen. Since you've already downloaded some images, you can email them, and include the measurements for your project. The necessary measurements will consist of length and height.  If the project is on a slope include that information. If you have a HOA then inquire about codes and compliances. Ask your fabricator if he can provide you with plans for submittal to your association if that is a prerequisite.

It is important to know what type finish you want on your project. The standard finish is usually primed and painted black. Another option is powder coating; this is a great option if you want to have a color or texture. There are also attractive patina's available but keep in mind that powder coating and patina's are usually at an additional charge.

If you choose an intricate design then your project will be more expensive. I find it's important to begin with presenting a design to your fabricator that you love.  This gives the iron fabricator an idea of your taste and architectural style. If pricing comes in too high, and you can’t have exactly what you want, then you can work with the fabricator to come up with a design that is more cost effective but still desirable.

The last bit of information that your iron fabricator will need is how, and where, the iron design will be installed. Take pictures of the area of installation. It's important to take several pictures so that the fabricator has a really good idea of the degree of difficulty in installing your project. An iron fabricator will look to see if your project will be installed in dirt verses concrete. If you're installing a gate, then he'll look to see if there are existing pillars that the gate will attach to and will question you about the stability of those pillars.

If you’re installing a driveway gate it’s important to figure out if you want that gate automated and what safety devices you will require.  Figure out if you’ll need a telephone entry system or a keypad.  Ask yourself how guests and maintenance people will enter and exit through your automated gate.

Once you’ve gathered all this information, then it can simply be emailed to your fabricator(s). Once your iron fabricator receives all the information then he can make a good estimate of what the project will cost right over the phone.

If you follow the outline above and contact your iron fabricator will all the facts then you can save yourself time.  With this information, your iron fabricator should be able to provide you with a budget price.  Once you receive this price, you’ll know if your project is affordable and doable.

Gate Latches

If you’re installing a walk or entry gate you will have to consider what type of locking mechanism to use.  This is also the case if you’re installing a manual driveway gate.

If you are installing a walk or entry gate then there are many options. The standard closure for a walk gate is a gravity latch or a slide bolt. Either latch is a good device if you wish to have your gate accessible most of the time.  If you are going out of town, and would like your walk gate to be made safe, a gravity or slide bolt latch can be secured with a padlock if necessary. Another option is to have a deadbolt and entry lever installed.  This is one of the more popular choices; it gives a more finished look and is easily secured.  There are also magnetic gate locks, they can simultaneously open or lock the gate from either side. It usually uses a 6-pin security lock that can be conveniently re-keyed (by a locksmith) to match other Kwikset house hold door locks. 

If you are installing your walk gate around a pool, then you will need your gate to be self-closing.  There are both hydraulic gate closers and spring gate closers.  Make sure that the latch you choose meets code for your project. 

If you desire an upgraded lock you may want a Mechanical pushbutton lock.  Dependent upon the mechanical lock chosen, there may be varying functions.  These locks allow for various ways of managing entry by code, by key and by passage mode operation of the lever handle. 

Most manually operated driveway gates are held closed with cane bolts.  If you want further security, you can include a slide lock so that you can padlock the gate shut when needed.  Another alternative to securing driveway gates is to automate them with a gate operator and either wireless keypads or a telephone entry system.

As you can see there are latching options available for every budget and that will accommodate most projects.  Ask your iron fabricator which latch is best for you.

Privacy Screening

There are times when it is necessary to have a gate or fence that either filters or blocks the view from the outside world. HOA's or CC&R's will sometimes require that a boat or recreational vehicle be blocked from view of the street. There are ways to accomplish this and still have a beautiful iron design.

Perforated panels can be welded to the gate or fence panels to filter the view. A perforated panel helps to camouflage things that are located behind it. This is not the solution if you need to block the view completely but it helps to diminish what can be seen. Perforated panels come in many different hole sizes. Ask your iron fabricator to show you some samples.

If you want to block the view completely then consider using solid plate.  The plate is welded to the back of the fence or gate panels. Solid plate is sturdy and completely blocks anything from being viewed. 

If you think your iron design will look too plain using either of these privacy options, don’t despair, you can always add iron components and pickets to the design.  It’s easy to design a gate or fence that is beautiful but gives you the privacy you require.

If you choose either type of panel, you might consider powder coating over painting as your finish.  Powder coating gives a very smooth clean finish to solid material.  Any type of steel material will have flaws and the larger the surface area the more flaws you’ll have.  Powder coating helps to hide those flaws.   The baked on finish, along with the UV protected colors, will enhance your iron design and help it to last for many years to come.