Swing metal gates: the pros and cons

Gates are a key element of the fence of a country house or garage. Oar systems made of metal are quite popular: being a modern design, they have a lot of advantages, although they are not without drawbacks. What are the pros and cons of metal swing gates, this article will tell.

Swing gates are a large gate that provides access to the territory of the site of passenger or freight transport. Metal constructions used in fencing obey the rule: the higher and more monumental the fence, the bigger and heavier they arebecause the weight directly depends on the amount of material used in them. Outwardly, this is one or two shutters fixed on poles, which, depending on the model, can open in either direction (inwards or outwards), differ in automatic or mechanical opening system.

In most cases, a small opening (a small gate) is provided at the gate, which allows you to pass inside without opening the gate. These systems are recognized as one of the simplest designs, they can be made in a single style with the fence of the territory of the house (garage) or differ from it, being a bright accent against the background of the fence.

Swing gates need sufficient space for the wings. They are equipped with beams with a carrier function, and it is important that the beams for the balance of the gate are built at the same distance from each other. Metal metal gates (with or without wicket) consist of several elements:

• framework to which finishing material and a decor fastens;
• main metal plating;
• loops required for fixing the frame;
• poles, without which it is impossible to install the gate;
• locking mechanism by which the gate opens and closes.

In addition to the basic set of construction, installation can not do without auxiliary raw materials (sand, cement, rubble, brick, paint), nails and related equipment (Bulgarian, square, level and welding).Installation of swing metal doors with their own hands is simple and is carried out according to a previously prepared drawing, which, if desired, you can make yourself taking into account your own preferences or look after the finished version, tailoring it to specific measurements and budget possibilities.

In the process of manufacturing the profile is covered with a special coating, which increases the resistance of the material to the effects of adverse external factors. At the bottom of the profile beam, the models are equipped with special blocks of rollers, which are activated when the gate is working. Due to the use of an angular connector, sashes that are fastened by means of three-section loops do not sag. Appearance is beautiful because all fasteners in it are performed mainly in a hidden form.

Metal swing gates are easy to install. They can be installed in an existing enclosure. Having a solid and quite presentable appearance, These systems have a number of advantages:

• they are often equipped with a wicket, built into the door leaf or located in a separate section;

• may have different, including ergonomic, form, they rarely make noise when the opening and closing mechanisms work;
• can be equipped with a safe automated opening and closing system, having a remote control panel;
• due to the material of manufacture they are distinguished by a high level of safety and durability, having corrosion resistance
• made from different raw materials with high performance and reliability;
• depending on the design, they decorate the fencing of the territory adjacent to the dwelling;

• with visible solidity easy to install, their installation does not take much time;
• perfectly combined with different building materials (wood, brick);
• have different heights, which allows you to get rid of the annoying views of people from the street and protects against thieves;
• Based on the characteristics of the alloy used, they differ in cost, allowing each buyer to purchase an option, taking into account taste preferences and the budget planned for the purchase.

These elements of fencing, differing in functionality and convenience, do not require special care. Being at the same time protection and decoration of the fence, they serve for a long time without needing to be repaired.

Due to the variety of modern style and availability of the necessary material in the building stores, metal swing gates can be performed to order on an individual sketch.

With a number of advantages, metal swing gates have several disadvantages:

• for their installation requires a lot of space;
• when installing beams should be deeply buried in the ground, which is not always possible;
• they cannot be installed without concreting the pillars, which takes time;
• in case of insufficient concreting, the poles distort the whole structure with time;
• a certain space is required for opening and entrance, otherwise comfortable use of the gate is impossible;
• when equipping the structure with an electric drive, their cost increases.

Swing gates made of metal are different. In addition to solid structures, latticed varieties with different designs and manufacturing methods attract attention. Having a mechanical or automatic drive, they are divided into several varieties:

• frame with a grid - systems with different decorative elements of a tubular frame, characterized by ease, reasonable cost and ease of manufacture (can be made independently with your own hands);
• varieties of corrugated with forging elements - durable designs with a large range of color and design design, which are closed-type systems;

• Mesh (lattice) forged - expensive wrought iron gates, made with artistic forging, characterized by the strength of the frame itself;

• warmed - types, the use of which is associated with harsh climatic conditions (models for garages or other heated non-residential premises).

Swing gates are subject to certain requirements of GOST 31174-2003 with clearly defined requirements. In this case, the subtleties of design and nuances of characteristics can be determined in the design. Since a metal with a large quantity has a corresponding weight, need to consider several requirements for flawless and proper operation:

• the course of the valves should be free: for this, the size of the gate is selected or calculated taking into account the dimensions of the available transport;

• the minimum allowable distance from the rack to the side of the vehicle should be 30 - 35 cm;
• the door must be burglar resistant: a galvanized sheet must be at least 2 mm thick;
• to ensure protection from rain and snow, vertical locks should be used in the construction, securing the web and preventing distortion;
• the opening and closing mechanism of the gate and the corresponding components must be made in strict accordance with the project documentation and the manufacturer's calculations;

• visible defects in the metal surface are excluded;
• when processing the surface with a paint-and-lacquer composition, its thickness should be at least 30 microns;
• the minimum height of products used for the private sector should be about 3 m (for enterprises of a production type, this figure is 5 m);
• strength and continuity of welds should be laid in GOST;
• Components, frame and frame are selected with a double margin of safety, having confirmation of the quality mark in the form of an appropriate certificate of the regulations of the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance.

Swing gates are made from various raw materials, including metal profiles. So that they are practical, reliable and durable, the choice of material is approached with great responsibility. Firstly, reliability and durability depend on it, secondly - weight and feature of installation technology. For plating try to use durable raw materials. Choosing wood as a basis, need to take care of additional protection from rotting and antimicrobial treatment. This will extend the life of the material.

The raw material for the frame is different, but it is subject to the characteristics of the drive. The welded type is durable and reliable, but due to the large weight it is completely unsuitable for gates with automatics.In this case, the best solution would be aluminum, characterized by low weight. The bolted frame is quite simple to manufacture, but of all the varieties of material it has a shorter service life.

The best material for pillars is brick. It is durable, durable, able to withstand a large weight of the metal frame and the entire structure as a whole. Concrete is worthy of competition: in addition to high reliability, this material allows for cosmetic repairs and surface treatment, thanks to which the pillars can be decorated according to the stylistic idea chosen for the design.

To metal swing gates served for a long time and did not need repairs, it is worth taking note several recommendations of professionals:

• it is advisable to use metal for the frame: it is more durable than wood, more resistant to negative natural factors and mechanical damage;
• if the design provides for painting the surface, you must first treat the metal with emery paper to eliminate the appearance of rust, cleaning and welding smudges;
• if you need to degrease the surface, you should use any solvent;
• if it is necessary to insulate the gate, it should be done on the internal surfaces of the valves, using foam polystyrene or mineral wool, excluding the formation of air pockets;

• sheathe the sash preferably steel sheet, whose thickness is more than 2 mm;
• The best lock for metal swing gates is a hinged, while you can install a powerful and reliable bolt that must be protected from moisture and severe frost (the best type of key is a tubular);
• calculating the width of the gate, it is necessary to proceed from the available space (usually for a passenger car, three-meter width is enough);
• It is not recommended to make large gates where they are not necessary: ​​this leads to high wind loads and will require additional reinforcement in order to avoid skewing and subsidence.

Large metal-profile gates are perfectly combined with forging elements, creating a clear geometric grid pattern: standing out against the height of the fence, they are the accent of a brick fence.

The construction of sheet material with wrought iron bars and gilding successfully crowns the fence of the private sector with antique columns: supplemented with a gate and peaks, the fence looks like a single ensemble.

Laconic gates, complementing brick pillars, harmoniously combine with the overall styling through a single shade, while they look beautiful with stone trim of the fence.

Figured forging, spikes, ornament and sheet material - an excellent solution to the fence on the background of white brick: stylish and modern.

To learn how to make metal swing gates on your own, see the next video.