Gates with a wicket for a private house: varieties and advice for buyers on choosing
Any private house, cottage or cottage needs good fencing.The fence and gate clearly define the boundaries of the site; they protect the territory from the entry of unwanted guests, as well as stray animals. The entrance group must be equipped with a built-in or separate gate. It is not very convenient to open heavy metal doors every time you leave the yard. Do you agree?
In order for a gate with a wicket for a private home to serve for a long time and perform its functions efficiently, you need to understand how to choose them for a certain area. We will tell you what types of structures there are and what criteria to pay attention to when purchasing. For clarity, we will supplement the material with bright photos with interesting examples of gate design and video recommendations.
The content of the article:
Gate and wicket material
Gates with wickets are made from a variety of materials. Classic - metal fabric.
However, now such options are used less and less, because the structure requires periodic painting. And the cost of manufacturing solid metal sheets is quite expensive.
Now many homeowners prefer gates that combine several types of materials, for example, wood and metal, forged elements with polycarbonate, etc.
Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular options.
#1 - metal version with a gate
Gates and wickets are made of metal by welding. The design can have a built-in gate or a separate one.
Gates made from a single sheet of metal look bulky and massive. Modern models are increasingly being made so that they have clearance. For these purposes, metal rods or rods are used. Such designs will become an original addition to the fencing of almost any personal plot.
Advantages of metal options:
- Long lifespan – primer and other types of coating provide protection of the metal from corrosive processes, which allows the fabric not to collapse.
- High strength – gate systems made of high-quality metal according to GOST technologies have high technical properties and reliability.
- Fire resistance – metal structures are not flammable. Therefore, they are not afraid of exposure to fire; only the paint on their surface can be damaged.
- Beautiful appearance – forged elements successfully complement the design of metal gates and gates.
The disadvantages of the products include heavy weight. Metal structures must be equipped with good hinges; cheap ones will not hold up.In addition, metal gate systems are difficult to make yourself if you don’t have the skills welding work and special equipment.
#2 - gates made of corrugated sheets
Galvanized profiled sheets can be used for the production of gate systems. Such gates are not afraid of moisture, temperature changes, they are resistant to mechanical damage, are quickly installed and are inexpensive.
Corrugated sheeting is produced in various color options; accordingly, gates with a wicket can be made in any color. Interesting examples of structures made from profiled sheets are shown in the gallery below.
The advantages of gates made of corrugated sheets include unpretentious maintenance. Profile sheets are sold already painted - they do not require additional treatment with a primer or other means.
Among the disadvantages of this solution are only the noise that occurs during rain, as well as the simplicity of appearance.
#3 - systems made of Euro picket fence
Euro picket fence is increasingly used as a material for gates and wickets. It is made in the form of metal strips, the surface of which is covered with a protective polymer layer of paint. The length of the bar can vary from 1.5-3 m, width - from 50-180 mm.
Euro picket gates do not require maintenance. The material is made of galvanized metal, so it lasts for quite a long time.
Advantages of gate systems made from Euro picket fences:
- quick installation;
- a large number of shades;
- there are options that imitate stone or wood;
- do not fade under the influence of the sun's rays;
- combine light weight and high strength.
On sale you can find individual strips or combined into a single piece. The material is inexpensive. Manufacturing gates from Euro picket fences is 25-30% cheaper compared to structures made from solid profiled sheets.
#4 – forged gates and wicket
Wrought iron gates are very expensive. They are rarely made from latticework and forged elements alone. Because then the yard will be visible from the street.
Most often, when creating gate systems, a combination of several materials is used. Forged parts can be combined with corrugated sheets or polycarbonate. They are also ideally combined with wood or stone.
Ready-made gates have a special design. They are resistant to moisture and extreme temperatures. The only disadvantage of the products is that wrought iron requires maintenance; it must sometimes be treated with anti-corrosion agents.
#5 – wood products
The material for wooden gates with a wicket can be timber, picket fence or edged board.
Finished designs are complemented by forging elements, carved wooden parts, original metal fittings, etc.
Wooden gates look beautiful and sophisticated. They are environmentally friendly for the environment and humans. With the help of paints and varnishes they can be given any color.
Wood products also have disadvantages. Wooden gate systems are not suitable for use in extremely humid regions. Because the material will absorb moisture, deform and rot.
Gates require maintenance - once every 3-4 years, the canvas must be impregnated with antiseptic insect repellents and treated with solutions that protect against moisture.
Types and method of opening gates
Gates differ in their opening method and design. There are swing, sliding, combined, sliding, lifting ones.
Gate systems are also divided by type of drive - mechanical or automatic.
For fencing private houses or cottages, swing and sliding options with a gate are most often used.
No. 1: Swing gates with a wicket
Swing gate types can be double-leaf or single-leaf. The most common design: a gate and two doors.They can open manually or automatically. The canvas is attached to the frame using hinges.
The gate frame must be strong. This is especially true for models with a built-in gate, because installing it in one of the sections significantly makes the structure heavier.
When designing swing-type gate systems, you must first decide on the option for opening the doors. If the doors swing outward, then there will be more free space inside the yard to place any decoration elements. However, you need to ensure that the distance is maintained and that when open, the gate with a wicket does not go onto the roadway or neighbor’s property.
The advantages of swing structures include simple installation, long service life and affordable cost. Such gate systems can be created from any material: corrugated board, wood, mesh, etc.
Swing options also have a number of disadvantages. Strict requirements are put forward for the installation of supports - they need to be mounted to great depths and the base must be concreted. In windy weather, the doors are difficult to close/open.
About installation of swing gates and installation of automation, we described in detail in our other article.
No. 2: Sliding or sliding design
Sliding gates are often called sliding gates. Their canvas moves parallel to the fence.
The gate moves horizontally. The design of the system has a roller base, as well as guides. Rollers are usually made from durable caprolon or metal.
There are several variations of sliding gates available, differing in their operating principles:
- Console – in these models, the leaf is attached to a cantilever beam, the movement of the sash is carried out by means of rollers. The console assembly can be installed at the bottom of the support, at the top or in the middle.
- Hanging – roller mechanisms are attached to a metal profile, which is mounted above the opening. Such structures are used quite rarely, because there is a limit on the height of entering vehicles.
- Sliding (rail) – the movement of the canvas is carried out along a rail located at the bottom of the opening. The advantages of the model include compactness. Among the disadvantages, only the need to clean the rails from debris, as well as snow and ice, is noted.
The gate in sliding gates can be embedded into the door leaf or placed nearby. Most often, such gate systems are made of metal. Installation is complicated, it is better to entrust it to specialists.
Automation of gate systems
Many homeowners believe that only sliding gate structures are equipped with automation.
However, you can install an automatic opening mechanism on almost any type of gate.
The automation of swing gates is presented in the form of a lever and also a linear drive. The latter has the form of an oblong box, inside of which there is a screw that drives the gearbox.The body must be made of metal. Its surface is painted with powder coated paint.
The power of the linear electric drive is adjusted to the parameters of the gate. The electric motor is mounted on a support.
The installation of different models of linear electric drives has its own nuances. Therefore, the device is connected strictly according to the instructions. Installation work is prohibited during rain and snow.
Lever motors have two levers in their design: one end of each of them is connected to the blade, and the other to the motor.
A planetary gearbox is located in the device body. The product operates on the principle of independent levers.
Sliding gates are usually equipped with drives that have a metal gear in their design. She starts the mechanism. A toothed guide is placed on the sash, moving the blade.
Automatic drives improve the comfort of using gate systems, because the driver does not need to leave the car to open/close the gate. Automation can be triggered by motion sensors or using a special control panel - it depends on the device model.When the electricity is turned off, you can open the lock on the doors with a regular key.
If a new gate with automatic control is being designed, it is advisable to place the gate separately.
Recommendations for choosing gates
When arranging the entrance and entrance to the yard, you need to create a drawing and decide on the location of the gate.
You should also choose the type of gate: blind gate systems hide the yard from prying eyes, and lattice gate systems do not carry a large load on the supports.
As for the gate, it is better to place it separately. Then in its design there will be no threshold to cross. In addition, the autonomous product does not add extra weight to the sashes.
Built-in gates also have their advantages. They do not take up extra space, which is important if the family has large vehicles.
When choosing gate systems, you should consider the following nuances:
- Gate type – in large areas you can install any model. If space is limited, you should take a closer look at single-leaf sliding options.
- Size – gates with a wicket must ensure free exit of the car from the yard, without interfering with the movement of traffic on the street.
- Quality of materials – raw materials for metal gates must comply with GOST. In wooden variations of canvases it is allowed to use only dry wood.
- Sensors – it is better to additionally equip automatic gate opening systems with foreign object recognition sensors. They will eliminate the possibility of harm to a person or damage to a vehicle.
- Sound and light accompaniment – automatic gate systems located in areas with poor lighting should be equipped with such options.
In order for gates with a wicket to serve for a long time, they must be made of high-quality materials.
Correct installation also plays a big role. If you do not have the skills and necessary equipment, it is better to entrust installation work to professionals.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
With nuances of choice and features installation of sliding gates can be found by watching the video below:
Interesting design ideas for different models of gates with a wicket are shown in the following video:
Gates with a wicket for the house can be swing, folding, sliding, or mixed. To arrange the entrance and exit of private houses, swing or sliding gates are most often used. They are made of metal, wood, corrugated board and other materials. We examined the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular models in detail in our article.
Automation can improve the operating comfort of gates. It can be installed on almost any type of structure; the main thing is to know which type of mechanism is optimally suited to specific operating conditions.
Do you have any recommendations on what else I should pay attention to when purchasing ready-made gate systems? Or would you like to get advice on the feasibility of installing automatic drives on your gates? Write to us in the comments, ask questions, share useful tips - the feedback block is located below.
