The finishing touches are almost complete and your investment is beginning to resemble a home. There’s a few things left to do however, including securing your driveway against unwanted visitors and creating a barrier between your abode and the rest of the world. Not because you’re unsocial or suspicious, but because you value the safety and comfort of your whole household, particularly if the driveway is long and you’re some distance from the road. A driveway gate is tacked on like an after-thought, after the paint is dry and the new bathroom has been blessed with its first shower – often to enhance the aesthetics of your grounds and the existing fence-line. So what should you consider when hunting for a driveway gate?
Space
Gates can either swing or slide, depending on your preference the available area for the gate to do so. Although sliding gates make great use of horizontal space and provide a solid, mechanised barrier between the street and your home, they aren’t always feasible, particularly if your property lacks the width to accommodate the movement. If you’re a bit tight on space, the swinging option will be ideal, provided you aren’t situated on an incline.
Technology
If you like the idea of stopping your car and unlatched the gate, swinging it back itself for that rustic feeling of homecoming, you’re better off leaving the touch pads and passcodes behind. Most gates are now fitted with these gadgets, improving the overall security efficiencies of available gates and removing the need for you to get out of your vehicle – they do all the work for you. Of course, most gate are fitted with emergency manual over rides, but these aren’t obvious and will be further specified in your handbook.
Appearance
Looks are everything and gates are no exception. While we’ve highlighted a driveway gate can add a touch of class and elegance to your property, modern designs also lend a crisp, sophisticated feel. Moulded iron, straight bars, cool metal walls, wood and a host of other fibres can all be used and coloured according to your individual tastes. Shaped iron represents your only limitation in that regard, coming in stock standard black and requiring diligent upkeep against the elements – but then again, nothing quite beats its classic façade.
If you’re undecided or require further guidance, why not give FenceCorp a call? We can step you through your options, discuss your budget and reach a solution you’ll be excited to install.