Choosing the right gate for your summer cottage

Every summer resident strives to build the infrastructure of the site in such a way that it is convenient on the one hand, and pleasing to the eye on the other. One of the important elements of infrastructure is fencing.

Gates play a special role in fencing. The gates to the dacha must be selected in such a way that they can ensure the normal operation of the territory of the dacha, and first of all, ensure the free entry and exit of vehicles.

Thus, before building a gate at your dacha, you must initially select the appropriate type.

Types of gates and their distinctive features

Choosing a country gate is not an easy task. After all, it is important here to unite the features of the internal territory, the design of the dacha fencing as a whole, the material of the product, as well as the price of the task. The price primarily depends on the type of material from which they are made.

According to the method of opening, country gates can be divided into the following types: swing, sliding, sliding.

Swing

The design consists of two doors that swing open in opposite directions. Such gates at the dacha ensure the free movement of cars.

Advantages:

Swing gates can be easily automated for ease of use.

1. simplicity of design, which allows any developer to install them, even without any special skills;
2. durability;
3. can be easily upgraded if necessary
4. passage of vehicles of any size is ensured;
5. The design allows them to be made from a variety of materials.

Flaws:

• To ensure a reliable structure, it is necessary to bury the support pillars as low as possible. However, depending on the type of soil, this is not always possible.
• A rather labor-intensive process of concreting support pillars. If concreting is of poor quality, there is a possibility of the structure being distorted.
• To fully open the valves, it is necessary to have enough free radius space.
• When there is heavy snow or ice, it becomes difficult to open.
• If you install a remote control, you will have to purchase two electric drives, separately for each sash.

Recoil

The gate consists of one leaf, which moves parallel to the fence line.

Advantages:

1. 

   The installation of sliding gates should be entrusted to a professional.

   compactness;

2. no free radius space required;
3. the ability to use an electric drive to automatically control the sash;
4. possibility of providing wide passage;
5. reasonable prices for component materials;
6. silent running;
7. work reliably in winter conditions, snowfall or ice.

Flaws:

• the need to constantly monitor the presence of lubricant between rubbing parts;
• the presence of a level fence for the length of the sash rollback;
• supporting structures must be concreted.

Sliding

The sliding structure is one of the types of sliding structures. The gate consists not of one, but of two leaves, which move apart in directions opposite to each other.

Advantages:

1. 

   The minimum service life of sliding gates is 15 years. The products successfully withstand over 25 cycles.

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   increased security;

2. are characterized by increased load-bearing capacity and have a durable design;
3. the design ensures the safety of transport during its entry or exit;
4. work reliably in winter, especially during snowfall or ice.

Flaws:

• difficulties with installing the gate in the gate profile;
• The problem is to choose the grids for the direction. To purchase them, you must first calculate the weight of the structure;
• To fully extend the doors, you need to have enough space along both sides of the fence.

Gate with wicket

To create comfortable conditions during the operation of the local area, it is necessary to create not only entry zones, but also entrance zones for the passage of people. The entrance area is equipped with a gate.

Depending on the design solutions, gate-wicket kits can be installed:

1. 

   This option for a gate with a wicket is well suited for those whose plot is not very wide.

   Independently from each other. For this purpose, two openings are provided in the fence. One is equipped with a gate, and the other with a gate.

2. Next to each other, forming a single structure of the “entry-entrance” zone. In this case, one opening is made, and the entrance and entry zones are separated by a support pillar. It can be made of stone, concrete, brick or metal pipes.
3. Into the plane of the gate. Considering that the gate is part of the gate structure, one opening is made in the fence for the width of the vehicle passage. The gate crashes into the body of the gate. Control of the wicket and gate, in this case, is provided separately from each other.

Specifics of gate design for a summer residence

Automatic sliding gates

• Using the simplest remote control or button inside the territory, the automatic gate opens. It is worth keeping in mind that today there are all conditions to implement such a design in any territory, and you can count on minimal financial costs. The main problem lies precisely in the opening options, since it can be the most basic opening (swing gates) or a sliding design.
• Today, all these types of gates work perfectly, but if we are talking about the first option, then we may encounter some limitations. For example, if the site is too small, then the swing of the swing gates may interfere with the placement of some elements on the territory. Against this background, the sliding gate design looks much more attractive, since the opening elements themselves move along the fence, which significantly saves space. In addition, such gates are often equipped with a remote control system, thanks to which you can easily enter the site by pressing a button located on the remote control.
• It is worth keeping in mind that there are many different systems and types of automatic gates on sale, so a lot depends on the preferences of the owners, the site, and the level of security. If there is no electricity, you can make the opening with your own hands without any problems.
• The very essence of the operation of such gates is based on the principle of cable tension, so there is no point in worrying that the structure will quickly cease to function normally. However, the opening system itself brings many problems, which may encounter problems. Accordingly, you will have to spend a lot of money on maintenance. If a person has a basic understanding of such systems, then it will not be difficult for him to deal with the problem himself.
• In addition, automatic sliding gates themselves are not cheap, so if you are on a limited budget, it always makes sense to look at other gate options. Interestingly, automatic swing gates are often a little cheaper than sliding gates.

Classic swing gates

• The gates are the most common in design - this does not mean that we are dealing with something simple and unattractive. However, practice shows that swing gates have the greatest number of variations, making it easy to choose a design for a specific area.
• In fact, there are no restrictions in the designs of swing gates. They can be high or low, made of metal or with wood edging, protected or simply thin. The most important thing is to check their practicality when using, since in certain cases the weight or specific design may make opening a little difficult, or make it not the most durable. It’s better to take a closer look at the simplest gate variations.
• The main disadvantage of swing gates is that this design is not the most practical in snowfalls. When there is too much snow, you have to pick up a shovel and go clear the area, otherwise you won’t be able to open the gate. Of course, for owners who have time to clean their summer cottage, no problems will arise at all.
• A significant advantage is the opposite of sliding gates - they are inexpensive, but you can find a wide variety of options for these designs on the market, and their price tag can break all records. The only good thing is that here you don’t have to spend extra money on service and other actions, because everything can be done yourself.
• Recently, exclusively metal gates have been used. Based on metal, you can realize any idea related to the shape of the frame. You can also find wooden gates, but many owners are firmly convinced that there is no way to be sure of the reliability of such gates.

Gate with wicket

• If we are talking about a summer cottage, then the gate is often combined with a wicket. The main idea is that there is no need to install separate doors to enter the site. Often this significantly saves time and money on purchasing individual elements.
• It is important to note that not all owners are positive about the idea of ​​installing a gate combined with a wicket. Often this looks like some kind of compromise and savings. If you pay attention to elite areas, we are talking about high stone fences, where the usual entrance and gates for vehicle entry are separated. Accordingly, a gate with a wicket is not the most expensive option, but it is practical, so it can be found in almost any conditions.
• The main disadvantage of this design is that it is not always convenient to enter the site; you need to step over a kind of gate, which creates extremely minor, but still discomfort. If possible, a separate gate will look much more presentable.

Lift gates

• Such structures are extremely rare on sites, since there is simply no need for such a complex mechanism. If you pay attention to garages, then this is where you will find overhead gates, which both save space and add some practicality to everyday life.
• In fact, there is no fundamental difference between lifting and sliding gates. It’s just that if we are talking about a garage, then sliding gates are not the most practical solution, because there is no space for removing the gate elements, while at the same time the lifting part of the gate is located in the ceiling area of ​​the garage without any problems.
• If the site has some kind of closed type, then, quite possibly, lifting gates will be a more than comfortable solution. The situation is approximately the same if the garage opens directly onto the street. You can implement such a gate if the garage has a roof and the rest of the structure has much in common with a regular car garage.

Characteristic features of facing materials

There are a huge number of finishing options. For this purpose, manufacturers offer a variety of facing materials. However, it should be recalled that before choosing a material, you should ensure that it is intended for outdoor use.

No matter how many facing materials there are, gates in the country are usually made from the two most popular of them: metal and wood.

Metal

Forged metal gates look very aesthetically pleasing, but such gates will hurt your pocket.

Provides not only protection against penetration by unauthorized persons, but also has an aesthetic appearance. Decorative finishing methods can be applied to it.

Metal structures are divided into welded and forged. Welded ones are considered the most popular because they are much cheaper.

Advantages:

1. resistance to mechanical damage;
2. durability. The metal structure is durable, so it has a significant service life;
3. high reliability;
4. simple maintenance;
5. wide selection of finished products;
6. reasonable prices.

The disadvantages include the fact that during operation it is necessary to treat them with anti-corrosion substances. This is caused by the iron reacting with moisture, causing corrosion of the metal, which destroys it.

Tree

Wooden gates are already a classic. They have proven themselves for hundreds of years. Goes well with any type of fencing.

Advantages:

• 

  You can make wooden gates with your own hands, but they need care, since the material is exposed to various environmental influences.

  with the right choice of wood, the structure can be very durable. To make gates, it is recommended to use pine, spruce, larch, birch, maple and, of course, oak;

• moderate cost;
• they are easy to install. Anyone can handle the installation;
• have a significant service life.

The disadvantage of wood is that it is exposed to environmental influences (moisture, solar radiation). Therefore, wood must be treated with antiseptics. The disadvantages include the fact that wood is a combustible material.

To add rigidity, it is recommended to make frame gates with a built-in wooden base. The frame is made of metal.

Gate project development

The construction of a garden plot infrastructure facility begins with drawing up a project. Considering that the gates constitute one of the elements of the general fencing of the site, it is advisable to draw up a single project for the fence for the dacha.

The dacha fencing project should consist of the following sections:

• 

  Design should be entrusted to professionals to avoid further incidents.

  design assignment. This section specifies the conditions for choosing the type of fencing, the type of gate and wicket. The installation locations are marked on the plan. Sketches of individual parts and structures are drawn up. In this section, the block construction method can be selected. To do this, you need to select a suitable set of available frame structures;

• Drawing up drawings. In this section, based on the sketches, drawings of individual fence structures are drawn up. The drawing indicates dimensions, tolerances and distances. If necessary, excavation drawings are included in a separate group.
• Drawing up a list of construction materials and equipment.
• Calculation of the cost of installing a fence. The estimated cost is compiled using aggregated indicators. This includes the cost of materials, equipment, installation work, transportation costs and other costs.

Tools and materials for gates

Before you begin building a gate at your dacha, it is recommended to prepare the necessary equipment, fixtures, and tools according to the design list. Since the technological operations, regardless of the type of gate, are the same, to build a gate in the country you will need such a kit.

Basic materials and equipment:

1. Corrugated sheet or sheet metal.
2. Metal pipes or corners. Pipes can be round or square.
3. Components for preparing the mixture for concreting: cement grade M300-400; crushed stone - fraction 20-30 mm; sand – fraction 0.15 – 5 mm.
4. Accessories for fastening structures and fasteners (hinges, bolts, nuts, dowels).
5. Materials for decorative finishing.
6. Concrete mixer.
7. Welding machine with a load current of 200 A. Semi-automatic is better.
8. Grinder or angle grinder.
9. Electric drill with a set of drills.

Shovels (scoop and bayonet) and measuring tools will also be useful:

• construction cord;
• building level;
• plumb line;
• roulette.

Construction cord

Building level

Plumb

Roulette

Necessary materials also include:

1. Metalworking and installation tools (hammer, hacksaw, side cutters, pliers, axe, screwdriver, pry bar with nail puller, set of wrenches).
2. Vibrating plate or hand rammer.
3. Garden wheelbarrow.
4. Water hose.
5. The buckets are different.
6. Master OK.
7. Set of brushes.

The nuances of constructing different types of gates

If you intend to make a gate for your dacha yourself, you will need cladding material, tools, and most importantly, desire and time. The question: how to make a gate in a dacha can only be answered after the nuances of constructing various types have been studied.

Swing

Swing gates are easy to install and maintain.

When deciding to install a gate with your own hands, it is better to choose the simplest option - a swing design. It has been used since ancient times. The product is very easy to install without building a foundation.

To ensure the reliability of the structure, each leaf is equipped with roller blocks, which are welded at the bottom of the free edge of the profile beam. The rollers roll along the ground and thereby reduce the forces on the cantilever fastenings of the sashes on the support pillars.

In addition, swing gates differ in the following nuances:

• A wide range of materials are used for their construction.
• To protect the surface profile from the effects of precipitation, it is coated with special compounds, depending on the type of material.
• The fasteners are hidden, which gives the structure an attractive appearance.
• Reliable design and long service life of the sashes are ensured by installing three-section hinges.
• Opening can be done both outward and inward.
• The design allows you to install an electric drive for automatic opening. For this, a special loop mechanism is used.
• The gate is combined with a built-in wicket door.

Recoil

Sliding gates can be of three types: hanging, cantilever and rail. Each of these types has its own installation nuances.

Sliding gates are usually made automatic, and therefore you need to monitor the automatic system.

Suspended structures are mainly used in industrial enterprises. They are huge in size. To secure all structural elements, a special hinged safety beam is required. Materials and components are expensive. Cantilever gates are usually installed at the sites of small organizations and summer cottages. For such gates, a channel beam is required to install the cantilever mechanism. Their work is characterized by silent operation. This model includes many separate parts, which creates some difficulties in installation.

Rail gates are most suitable for installation in a country house. The structure moves on rollers along rail guides.

The load frame serves as the main supporting structure. It is made of metal and concreted. Guides are fixed at the top of the frame. Control is carried out using an electric drive.

Sliding

Since this type of gate is a type of sliding gate, they are also divided into three groups: hanging, cantilever and rail. The installation is practically no different from sliding structures. By distributing the load across the two sashes, their total weight is reduced. But their final cost may be slightly higher, because components and control devices must be purchased in two sets, for each sash separately.

What types of gates are there for cottages and plots?

Entrance gates can be of three types. These are swing, sliding and roller gates.

Swing gates are the most common on the Russian market. And all because they are inexpensive, they do not need a foundation, pillars serve as support for the gates. Swing gates have a long service life if they are installed well.

However, this design also has disadvantages. If you install swing gates at your dacha, be prepared for the fact that you will need to constantly clear the area around them of snow in winter. They also require more space to open compared to other types. Also keep in mind that when installing swing gates, large angles inevitably arise, which means that it will not be possible to plant plants near the entrance.

The next type is hinged or sliding gates . Their main advantage is that they do not take up precious space on the site, since they move along the fence on special rails. They do not require a foundation, and the design itself is designed in such a way that they are not afraid of snowstorms and hurricane winds. In winter it is much easier with them - just remove the snow in the area where they move.

However, like any mechanism, sliding gates are not without their drawbacks. The main disadvantage of swing gates is the freezing of the roller mechanism at sharply negative temperatures. Fortunately, this can be avoided by installing a special heating cable inside. The second disadvantage of structures of this type is the price.

Rolling gates will cost an order of magnitude cheaper than sliding ones. They are easy to install. However, the design of such gates is considered less durable, and also creates a height limitation for incoming vehicles.

Based on appearance, you can choose either a solid or with a pattern . Wrought iron gates , made by hand, which we have already written about before on our website, are considered especially chic among cottage owners

Among non-standard solutions, there are also wooden gates , which are ideal for houses built from timber or logs. Of course, they are not as strong and durable as metal ones, but they look very natural and emphasize the beauty of the home behind them. And for greater durability, wooden gates are impregnated with protective solutions that will prevent fungus, mold, and insects from destroying the wood.

As a rule, when choosing a gate, homeowners are guided by the style of the cottage and the design of the site. If the cottage is made in an old style, it would be best to close the entrance to the territory with a massive gate. And if the house is built in one of the modern styles, the gate should be light and match the general style of the site.

It is desirable that the style of the gate matches not only the appearance of the cottage, but also the style of the fence. Try to choose the material and design of the gate so that it harmonizes with the fence, the house, and the garage. Don’t forget about the size of the gate - too large a gate next to a small cottage will look awkward, as well as vice versa. You can view the range of cottage gates here: https://worota.com.ua/.

So, we’ve sorted out the options for fencing the site, let’s now take a closer look at what types of garage doors there are. Moreover, there are many more variations and types of them on the market today.

Design options

Advising on the choice of design option is a thankless task. The fact is that professional architects offer a huge number of options. Many people believe that it is impossible to understand this arsenal of design solutions. But it is not so.

When choosing a design option for fencing a local area, including gates and gates, professionals recommend focusing on the following:

1. To begin with, it is recommended to clarify the costs. For example, work related to decorating with forged ornaments is expensive, but products made from corrugated sheets or metal pipes are much cheaper.
2. It is important that the chosen option is durable, easy to process, withstands the influence of atmospheric influences and is unpretentious in operation. But at the same time, we should not forget about the most important function of the gate - protection from the entry of unauthorized persons.
3. The design of gates and wickets should be selected in such a way that the appearance does not spoil the architectural style of the dacha complex. If the dacha infrastructure includes a garage, then the garage door should be combined with the design of the entrance fencing.

To create practicality, it is recommended to protect the entrance group from precipitation with a canopy, the weight of which should be minimal.

Using these recommendations, you can choose a design that suits refined tastes, and at the same time solve issues of practicality, strength and durability of your garden fencing.

What you need to know when choosing a gate for your dacha

It is not enough to focus on the cost and general appearance of the future entrance area, although today these factors mean a lot. You also need to understand a whole list of mandatory requirements that we are not used to paying attention to. But they are significant enough to simply forget or ignore them!

• You need to know exactly what the gate will be like: standard swing, inward or outward, sliding, single or double leaf, and so on.
• It is important to determine the opening radius, for example, so that there is enough space in the yard for the section to move if a car is to be driven inside.
• The weight of the sections also matters a lot. It determines a lot, but initially, the ease of use of the design and installation parameters.
• Calculate how well the materials combine, because what you come up with doesn’t always look good together. In the project this is one thing, but in reality it is a completely different matter.
• Dimensions of country gates in length, height, combination of sizes are a matter of your own requirements, which is reflected only in appearance, overall weight and, naturally, cost.

Also, just set yourself the task of purchasing or making a good gate yourself. And to do this, you can write down on a piece of paper all the requirements and the possibilities for their implementation.

Don’t forget to pay attention to the special conditions, which, depending on the parameters of the new country gate, can be quite a few:

• Wheels for each section if the doors are quite heavy. The wheels will help to correctly guide the gate when opening and closing, and will also become an excellent stop, limiting and completely eliminating sagging in the future;
• You also need to consider in advance how important visual protection is. For example, stacked forged gates will make it possible to view the entire yard from the street, polycarbonate doors will be able to hide all the secrets of the yard, and a structure made of corrugated board will generally limit visual contact;
• Some materials have a sailing effect. For example, if corrugated sheeting is installed on the metal frame of a future gate and is secured only around the perimeter, under the influence of temperature changes and strong winds, the doors will bend and make unpleasant sounds. Then it is better to install several additional stiffeners to secure the material.

You can find out about a budget option for a garden fence.