Swing gates: design features and technical characteristics

Peculiarities

Comfortable entry to the site is best provided by swinging passages. This type of gate to the dacha has a number of advantages:

• convenient installation system;
• durability;
• ensuring wide and convenient access to the territory;
• versatility.

The reliability of a design is evidenced not only by years, but by centuries of operation. Over the course of its use, craftsmen have added many features to the gate design.

Improving the appearance of a portal remains one of the most important areas of work for modern designers.

Distinctive features of sliding gates

The main advantage of the design is its long service life. This reduces the total cost of sliding gates, which includes the cost of purchase, installation, maintenance and replacement of failed parts.

Experts call the following characteristics additional advantages:

• The length of the valve is limited only by the muscular strength of the owner or the power of the electric motor;
• Cleaning around an obstacle is required in exceptional cases;
• The main weight of the sash is evenly distributed between the rollers, and the total load falls on the concrete foundation;
• If the base is initially made according to standards, then the likelihood of movement and skewing of the canvas is minimal;
• Correct automation, which takes into account the weight and size of the sash, is characterized by high reliability, durability and rare replacement of mechanism elements;
• Takes up little space. The sash goes behind the fence using only the narrow track in front of the fence.

But the system is not ideal, and therefore has a number of disadvantages. These include a high starting cost, which is 10-20% higher compared to swing gates. Mandatory foundation work, the quality of which determines the service life of the product. If the installation is done carelessly, there is a high probability of movement of the base, which will lead to expensive restoration or the need to move the entrance to another location.

The last drawback: demands on free space. The sash slides along the fence and on one side you will need an unoccupied space. A partial solution to the problem would be to install sectional doors divided in the middle. With this design, the parts are retracted in opposite directions, using less space along the fence.

Input types

Looking at the photos of swing gates, you can easily choose the option that suits you. A variety of types of gates will satisfy the taste of the most fastidious person. The following types of passages are installed on personal plots:

• single-leaf;
• bivalve;
• folding like an accordion.

Space saving

To provide a wide passage, folding gates are installed. They fold in half and do not block the space.

Space saving in small areas is ensured by installing gates with a wicket door. When installing gates, fire safety standards should be taken into account.

Wrought iron swing gates with wicket

This option for designing an entrance is the most stylish and high-status item of landscape design, an original detail of the site’s exterior. Forged compositions and decorative elements give any structure a special appearance. They are installed on fences around private houses, cottages, and offices of reputable companies. Forged gates adorn many entrances to the courtyards of elite mansions in Moscow.

Forging is performed using the cold or hot method. Craftsmen offer a huge selection of possible designs: floral, geometric patterns, coats of arms, shields, images of animals.

A special feature of swing gates and gates using forged elements is the impressive weight of the structure, which must be taken into account during installation. For supports, reinforced brick pillars are used, at the base of which a securely concreted metal pipe is installed.

To avoid distortions of the valves and problems during operation, it is recommended to build a strip foundation with a recess of at least half a meter. The pipes of the support pillars are also dug to the same depth.

The installation of such gates and wickets does not take place in one or even several days. To carry out high-quality work, strict adherence to construction technology and current industry standards is required.

But the erected gates and gates made of forged parts will delight and reliably serve more than one generation of site owners.

Material for the “face” of the area

Raw materials for gates are selected taking into account the following factors:

• taking into account the type of control - automatic or manual;
• harmonious “consonance” with the material of the fence of the site;
• depending on the wind load.

For the purpose of automatic gate control, the following are used:

• polycarbonate or corrugated sheeting;
• mesh, welded on a metal frame.

Gates made from these materials are easy to open and close.

Wooden doors

The doors made of wood look elegant. However, they are susceptible to sunlight and moisture.

Without painting, varnishing or impregnation with antiseptics, a favorable environment will be created for the development of fungi and decay processes.

Metal gates

The most common gates are made of steel or aluminum. Gates made of metal bars, decorated with various decorative elements, look more elegant.

Lattice metal sliding gates are lighter in weight, but more expensive. True, they will definitely attract the attention of visitors to the site.

Openwork gates

Forged gates look the most impressive. They combine nobility of style, sophistication and fabulous beauty.

Look great in combination with a transparent fence. Demonstrate the unity of home and environment.

Only experienced craftsmen can make such unique gates. They are expensive, but they will cause genuine delight (and maybe envy) of the guests of the dacha and demonstrate the high aesthetic taste of the owners of the site.

Lightweight materials

It is possible to install gates from fittings such as corrugated sheets or polycarbonate. They will cost the buyer less than metal ones and have the following advantages:

• light weight;
• durability and practicality;
• speed of installation;
• large selection of colors and different textures;
• possibility of applying decorations.

And another positive side of modern materials is the preservation of the indoor microclimate (for example, in a garage).

Conclusion

When choosing a particular type of gate, you should, first of all, take into account the location and shape of your site. Only after analyzing the area can preference be given to any design.

So, if you park your car in a garage or away from the gate, and also if the street on which your site is located is quite wide, then you can safely install swing gates. If the area is narrow, but there is free space along the fence, then choose sliding gates.

Having considered all the advantages and disadvantages of the gate, it is difficult to come to a common opinion. On the one hand, cheap swing doors will cause inconvenience, but convenient sliding doors sometimes cost an unforgivably much. However, if we look at the statistics, we will see that most buyers choose comfort, which is why sales of sliding gates are growing every year.

Combination of materials

An original solution could be a combination of different materials when installing beautiful swing gates.

The frame is made of pillars, and the doors are made of wood, sheathed with polyvinyl chloride or polymer composite.

WISNIOWSKI – inexpensive swing structures

Swing gates from a Polish manufacturer have a completely modern look and are relatively inexpensive, since there are no complex mechanisms.

Just as there is no need to strengthen and increase the reliability of the structure. They are made of galvanized steel with a rigid sheet profile as filling.

Pros:

• Factory assembly – these gates are not supplied in parts;
• Reliable tubular frame with reinforcing gussets;
• Already embedded crab-type deadbolt lock, which simultaneously fixes three sides of the sash;
• There are models with insulated panels, mortise windows and ventilation grilles;
• Hinges with wing opening limiters, an anti-removal mechanism and protection against swing doors falling off;
• All elements of the metal structure are protected from corrosion by galvanizing and several layers of polymer paint;
• Warranty up to 10 years.

Minuses:

• A bolted frame connection simplifies installation, but is not comparable in reliability to a welded seam and will require constant maintenance.

Passage structures

The advantages of such gates include the simplicity of construction. You don’t need to have any special skills to make swing gates with your own hands.

They do not require a foundation or additional parts in the form of wheels and guides. To install the structure you need:

• support pillars;
• loops;
• clamps;
• reliable locks and massive bolts.

Opening and locking a simple gate forces the car owner to get out of the car twice. And in bad weather it is quite unpleasant. A way out of this situation could be to supply the gates with automation.

Manufacturing of swing gates: elements and device

Acquaintance with architectural monuments allows us to conclude that people have been making swing gates for hundreds of years. Swing gates are considered the oldest type among structures of similar purpose. Their design can hardly be called complex - in fact, they are two doors that open in different directions. But, perhaps, it is precisely thanks to the simplicity and reliability of the design that the production of such gates does not lose its relevance to this day.

The manufacture of modern swing gates has its own nuances. Depending on your needs, desires and budget, you can order an automatic or manual model, a design with or without a gate, add protection against accidental closing, and choose any material and design.

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Swing gates with a built-in or adjacent wicket are considered the classic and most convenient option for private properties. The basis of this design are support pillars, two of which are installed at the width of the gate, and the third at the width of the gate (if it is located next to the gate).

Gate leaves and gates are attached to hinges welded to the support posts. The technology for opening the gate (inward or outward) will depend on which sides of the supports the doors will be attached to (external or internal).

Swing gate leaves are most often metal frames welded from an angle or profile pipe, which are then sheathed with metal sheets. Garages can be entirely metal, while decorative ones (for country houses) are often decorated with various patterns.

When making sashes, one important point should be taken into account - they should not be very heavy, as this will create unnecessary stress on the supporting posts and hinges. In addition, all other elements of the general design (assemblies, suspension parts, etc.) in size and strength must correspond to the weight of the sashes.

Any gate, in accordance with the customer’s wishes, is equipped with a locking element: a bolt, a lock or a latch. A special limiter is installed in the middle of the width of the gate, which helps stop the movement of the leaves when they are closed, and opening wide is usually limited using spring clamps.

Some owners of swing gates after some time notice the deviation of the support pillars and sagging of the leaves, but it is worth noting that such a nuisance is a consequence of a violation of the technology of manufacturing the structure or its installation. The problems described above can be avoided by diligently preparing the foundation and installing hinges that match the size and strength of the sashes.

One of the advantages of swing gates is their relative compactness. Unlike other types, installation of the structure in question does not require clearing additional space along the fence.

The material of manufacture and the complexity of the design most often depend on the location of the gate. So, if you need to install them in the backyard, summer cottage, or simply enclose an object under construction with a temporary fence and entrance gate, the design requirements will be simplified. But if you are planning to install front or decorative gates, the requirements for the product will be much stricter, and the cost of manufacturing the structure will be corresponding.

Required dimensions

Beautiful design of the entrance is, of course, important, but no less important is convenient passage and access to the site. Carefully read the drawing options for swing gates and choose the version that suits you.

For a passenger car, the minimum passage width is 2 meters and 80 centimeters. When the approach angle does not allow a truck to enter the site, the width should be increased by one and a half times.

The maximum width of the plowing passage should not exceed six meters. In this case, it is necessary to maximize the thickness of the valves (approximately twice as much).

If such gates are planned to open automatically, the mechanism must have the appropriate power.

A significant gap should be left between the ground and the edge of the sash (at least 8-10 cm). Only in this case the gate will not get stuck while moving.

Free passage of passenger cars is ensured by a structure height of two meters.

Pros and cons of swing and sliding gates

The safety of the territory and the comfort of the owner depend on the installation of a certain structure. Swinging and sliding barriers have their own set of pros and cons, installation restrictions and service life. If you compare all the indicators, then choosing the best option for yourself will not be difficult.

Among all the mechanisms, swing gates are the most widespread. Installation of the system is affordable; manual opening does not require any significant effort; a simple automation process allows you to do it yourself even with minimal knowledge.

The cost of sliding gates is higher, and the installation and maintenance process is more complicated, so their installation can only be entrusted to professionals. But the development of technology and the use of new materials are gradually increasing the popularity of this type of gate. Their installation helps to rationally use free space, removes restrictions on the height of the doors, and is suitable for wide openings. The ability to open the doors is not affected by strong winds and snow drifts at the entrance area.

Lever mechanism

Such a system can be hidden underground, but it should be placed in a case to protect it from moisture and protect it from freezing.

Powered by an electric motor. Smoothly opens the gate leaves.

Automatic swing gates: how to choose a mechanism

In order to enter the territory of the site through ordinary swing gates, you need to make a little effort and spend some of your time: get out of the car, open the doors one by one, drive into the territory, get out again, close the doors. It would seem that there is nothing complicated about this, but when it is cold, rainy or windy outside, few people will want to go through the described algorithm again. You can make the operation of swing gates easier with the help of automatic installations.

There are several types of automatic systems, but remote-controlled automation is considered the most convenient. Such systems are often installed both on garage doors and when fencing residential buildings.

Drives for moving sashes can be linear or lever. Depending on the principle of operation, they are divided into electromechanical and hydraulic, and depending on their location - into above-ground and underground.

Today, users most often choose linear electromechanical systems because they are easy to install, easy to use and low cost. They look like an oblong case from which an arrow-shaped bar emerges. A screw, rotated by a low-power electric motor, moves the nut along the guide, converting the rotational moment of movement into a linear one, and moves the gate leaf.

Smooth running of the linear drive is ensured by the control unit. A linear automatic system is installed at the bottom of the gate.

The action of the lever drive is also based on the operation of an electric motor. The basis of the design is a vertical shaft, to which a crank lever mechanism is attached, which opens the doors. The presence of sensors and closers ensures smooth operation. The lever drive allows you to open the doors inward even with wide pillars.

Lever mechanisms can be installed underground, but in this case they must first be placed in a metal box and concreted for reliable protection against water ingress and freezing.

The cost of a hydraulic drive is higher than other mechanisms for similar purposes, since it has more power. Its installation is advisable in the presence of heavy, regularly used structures.

The reversible electric pump of the automatic system supplies oil to the cylinders, which, in turn, move the valves. The choice of automatic equipment should be based on the weight of the sashes. Reliable operation of a powerful structure can only be ensured by a hydraulic drive. It is usually installed at large industrial facilities, since such mechanisms can be operated for many years in all weather conditions.

Automatic linear systems are used everywhere: in private homes, garages, small enterprises, etc. In cases where its installation is impossible or contraindicated, lever mechanisms are used. Fortunately, in modern stores you can easily purchase any type of automation.

The advantages of automatic systems are also:

• Can be installed on any gate;
• control the movement of the shutters using the remote control even from a decent distance;
• transferring the system to manual mode in the event of a power outage;
• opening one leaf;
• possibility of constant communication with the access control system;
• automatic stop of gate movement when obstacles are detected due to the presence of photocells.

Hydraulics

The most expensive operator for swing gates. Compared to other mechanisms, it has a number of advantages:

• controlled from a distance of up to 30 meters;
• opens the gate after a maximum of 15 seconds;
• durability;
• connects to standard electrical wiring.

It is installed on massive, heavy gates, which are also often used.

Durability and strength

Two more equally important parameters. If criminals, wanting to get into your house, decide to ram the fence with a car, then swing products will most likely be able to withstand the blow. In this case, the sliding gate will simply fall flat, like light cardboard.

This example explains the advantages and disadvantages of each type, which are shown in comparison:

• Swinging products require two reliable posts, while sliding ones require only one.
• Repairing swing gates will not take much time, since replacing hinges is easier.
• Sliding gates are considered more durable. But only with proper and regular maintenance.
• Sliding doors do not sag and are not subject to distortion.

In general, both types of gates can be called strong and durable.

Security

For trouble-free and safe operation of the automatic passage opening system, it is necessary to take a number of measures.

Signal or flashing lights must be installed within the gate opening radius. An audible warning can also be used.

Attach signs warning of danger to people, children and motorists.