I started researching whether gates add value to a property, and I found an article in Luxury Lifestyle Magazine that says you could add up to five percent by improving your “kerb” appeal.

 

As custom gate designers and builders, we love hearing that. However, I couldn’t help but giggle and think, “Someone mis-spelled curb appeal.”

 

When I googled it, I discovered that Americans use “curb” as the spelling for both meanings of the word. While in the UK, “kerb” means the raised edge of a pavement/path, and “curb” means to limit or restrain.

 

With that discrepancy out of the way, I bet you are more interested in adding value to your property.  Even though it was obviously written by someone outside the United States, we believe it is spot on.

 

According to the article, if you are looking to add value and improve the exterior of your home, driveway gates do this in three ways:

1. Beauty and practicality
2. Appeal and value
3. Protection and security

 

Another article by Realty Times basically says the same thing (but they write “curb appeal” the correct way).  The bottom line is that you do not have to take our word for it.

 

What kind of gate adds THE MOST value to a property?

 

We believe it is one that best complements your home and style.  You may be able to achieve that with a standard gate.  However, if a gate adds as much value as these articles contend, wouldn’t a custom gate be better.  It does make the first impression.

 

And, if you believe first impressions are important, don’t let the gate get the last consideration in your budget.

 

Custom gates are on trend and the these are some popular design ideas from our gate gallery to get your creative juices flowing:

 

Farmhouse-style Gates

 

Modern Ranch-style Gates

 

Faux-wood Painted Aluminum Gates

 

Monogrammed Gates

 

Sleek and Contemporary Gates

 

Signature “Braided” Gates

 

Custom Black Gates

 

CONCLUSION

What do you think?  Agree? Disagree?  Comment below. Let’s discuss it!

 

If you are ready for the next step in exploring driveway gate designs, download our checklist to start the process of designing and building your gate. Or, give us a call.

 

We’ve been in the driveway gate business since 2012, and I’ve noticed some new trends in gate designs.  Modern designs are more much more substantial.  The use of larger profiles creates more dimension and sets them apart from the gates of the past.

 

You might be thinking that a discussion of gate trends is frivolous because the function of a gate is to block a hole in your fence. If so, this article is not for you.

 

I understand that the most basic and universal reason to have a gate hasn’t change.  A gate is simply an added level of security.  It exists to communicate “PRIVATE PROPERTY” and “KEEP OUT” to potential trespassers.

 

While security is the first and foremost reason for a gate, a close second is making a statement.  You want … no, you need a driveway gate that sets your property apart from your neighbors’. Here are a few reasons why:

• A gate that stands out from the rest is less confusing for your guests to find.
• You’ve worked hard to create a beautiful property. Your gate should be complementary.
• There is a neighborhood competition. Even if no one said so.

 

We specialize in designing and building gates that make a statement for homes and ranches.  If you are looking to add or upgrade your gate entrance, this article is for you.  I’d love your comments, ideas and feedback at the end if I’ve left out any questions you have.

 

 

Trend #1: High Quality Premium Gates

As more people move out of the city and into the country, a high-quality driveway gate is becoming the standard rather than a luxury.  Having a stock farm gate that your wife has to get out of the car and drag to open just won’t do for long.

 

We liken it to having luxury vehicles.  You may have started your driving career in a standard vehicle, but as you progress you typically move up in your choice of vehicles.  And, you are likely moving to the country or getting your second home in the country because you’ve put in your dues at your desk job in the city.  Now, you’re ready to enjoy some of the fruits of your labor with a piece of property in the country.

 

We are getting loads of calls to replace make-do, poorly constructed gates on new property purchases.  The pandemic of 2020 seemed to add fuel to this trend.

 

As you look for a high-quality, premium gate, you will want to consider:

• High-quality materials – wood, steel, aluminum, paint, etc.
• Craftsmanship – attention and finesse to the smallest details.
• Innovative – use of newer technologies in construction.

If you are interested in a little more history in the transition from the original ranch gates to now, you could read this article.

 

Trend #2: Modern & Contemporary Styles

 

Home building and renovation shows, Instagram, Pinterest, Google, etc. are bringing more modern and contemporary styles to farms and ranches.  These styles are not overly ornate.  Many are refreshingly new shapes with simple, yet elegant profiles.  Here are some examples:

 

Modern Ranch Gate Designs

These are one-of-a-kind unique designs. The unique metal profiles add dimension and character.

You may be wondering if you should have an arched driveway gate, and if so what kind of arch. Check out this article for a little help with that.

 

Farmhouse-style Gate Designs

These gates have thick frames made of aluminum with simple lines. They are a modern take of some old-world, farmhouse gate designs.

 

Simple and Sleek Contemporary Designs

These designs may be simple, but they uniquely complement the homes they protect.

 

Braided Gate Designs

We get lots of calls for our signature “braided” gates.  To the untrained eye, these are relatively “simple” designs. However, every piece is hand-forged and then puzzled together to create the dimensional braid.

 

Trend #3: Aluminum for More Substance

 

Most everyone I talk to about gate designs say want their gate to be very SUBSTANTIAL looking.  Fear and distrust is higher than it used to be.  Therefore, the more intimidating a gate looks, the better.

 

For a very long time, steel gates ruled.  But, as our clients were demanding bigger and thicker looking gates, the weight of steel became a big issue. Installation was part of the problem, but the quality and longevity of the automation equipment needed was getting out of hand.

 

The answer has been aluminum.  I discuss the difference in more detail in this article on the topic.

 

Trend #4: Low Maintenance Gates

The low-maintenance trend in gates is very similar to #1 – High Quality Premium Gates, which makes them inherently lower maintenance.  So much of what we buy these days is only built to last for a couple of years.  I’m so tired of every car I buy working fine until right after the warranty expires!

 

I got off topic.  For a low-maintenance gate, you want an excellent foundation/posts and high quality hardware (hinges or slide-gate mechanisms).

 

For hinges, we use, love and sell BadAss hinges. They are made to handle substantial weight, and with the style we use, there is no greasing, no maintenance EVER!

 

If you want, or require, a sliding gate, we typically will recommend a cantilever gate system to avoid dealing with the maintenance of a track.  Our go-to for this system lately has been this Comunello sliding gate hardware because it minimizes visibility of the hardware and it is low maintenance.

 

Also, aluminum is lower maintenance than steel or wood in many cases. Unless you are going for a rust patina gate, aluminum is a much better idea.  No matter what you do (paint or powder coat) you are going to eventually see rust runs on steel gates.  Those really ruin the art!  With aluminum, that is not an issue.

 

Aluminum is also a much lower-maintenance alternative to wood.  Because so many of you LOVE the look of a wood gate to the entrance of your big new ranch or farm, my husband mastered the art of faux-wood-grain painting gates. He will distress the aluminum and hide his welds to add to the illusion.

 

These are some examples of aluminum gates painted to look like wood.

 

Trend #5: Exceptions to Standard Colors

While we still build a lot of black gates, I’ve seen a trend in the experimentation with the color of your gate so that it complements the buildings or other structures around it. I wrote an article on the psychology of color and how it might relate to your gate. Let me know what you think about that.

 

Here are some non-black gate ideas:

 

 

 

CONCLUSION

Did I leave out a trend you’ve noticed? If so, comment below. Let’s discuss it!

 

If you are ready for the next step in exploring driveway gate designs, download our checklist to start the process of designing and building your gate. Or, give us a call.

 

It’s hard to believe it is time to write our THIRD annual review of our mistakes and favorite gates.  But, here we are again.

 

Due to the pandemic of 2020, it seemed to us that people either stayed home and spent money on home improvement projects (that included their gate), or they decided to buy a place in the country and wanted a ranch gate for their new haven away from city life.

 

Either way, our phones continued to ring, and we were grateful.  We count it a BLESSING that we’ve had opportunities to make mistakes as well as make more beautiful custom gates.

 

 

MISTAKES OF 2020

 

PAINTIING

If you have been following us, you’ve seen that Jeffery is really getting fancy with his painting techniques.  So, you probably think that I am going to talk about some major fail on an artsy, faux-painted finish.  But no, we are going to talk about our struggles with painting gates black.

 

Black may be a forgiving dress color, but as paint, it can look pretty darn terrible. Have you ever noticed how glossy black shows off every imperfection?  That is why we steer clients away from that all together.

 

We love the look of satin or matte black.  It is a lovely, classy finish that makes a statement.  We seem to encounter a struggle on our more modern-style gates.

 

Modern styles are sleeker and cleaner designs that tend to have larger expanses of flat areas.  The simplicity of these designs make them gorgeous, but that is where our black paint problems tend to manifest.

 

Honestly, after some time in the sun, the problem goes away.  But, we would prefer the gates left the shop looking perfect.  Or, as close to perfect as possible.  I’m sure Jeffery won’t ever say any of his art is actually perfect. What artist would?

 

 

Many hours of buffing, sand blasting, re-priming, painting, wet sanding, etc., Jeffery finally got the black paint to look flatter and more even. Much better!  He documented several ways NOT to paint these gates before being okay with shipping them. What primer, what time of day, what setting for his paint gun and more.  We were really glad to see these gates get on their way to Florida.

 

CLIP ART

Next up on 2020’s mistakes list was finding out that seemingly generic art (without a copyright mark) sent from our client could belong to someone.  It was brought to our attention as we were finishing these ranch gates that the original deer-head art (not pictured below) was the copy-righted property of someone else.

 

As artists ourselves, we felt terrible and offered to purchase and give the source credit.  They refused, so we ended up destroying the originals.  Jeffery drew new deer heads by hand, but with a lot more points of course!  The client was happier with the new deer-head art in the end.

 

It all worked out. Another lesson learned!

 

REVIEW

We were just so happy to have work.  There are many blessings for being a small shop that didn’t have to shut down last year.  I don’t want to complain much at all about 2020.  We were happy to survive!

 

 

OUR 2020 FAVORITE GATES

 

I enjoy asking our team about their favorite gates of the year. They grumble because they have to stop what they are doing to think about it.  We are surprised how quickly we forget what we did and how many, so I think it is fun looking back.

 

FRANKIE

When I asked Frankie to pick his favorite gate of 2020, he selected the barn doors we did simply because they were NOT gates.  I could have put this project on our mistakes list because the way we planned to install the doors had to be totally re-worked.

 

We had to eat double the installation time we had in the budget.  However, I’m not sure if we will ever run into the same issues again, so I didn’t list them as a mistake.

 

These faux-painted aluminum doors definitely dress up this cutting horse barn.  I can’t blame Frankie for making this project his 2020 fave!

 

 

JEFFERY

He got a little snooty with me and declared that he has not built his favorite gate yet, but I made him pick anyway. He selected this faux-wood painted aluminum gate we did for Dana Even of Argyle.

 

All of these wood-grain gates give Jeffery’s inner-artist a little challenge to get the paint just right so it looks like the wood that the client wants.  This faux-paint project needed to look like weathered wood.  Dana sent us swatches of wood from Home Depot that were like her wood fence.

 

 

 

DEBBIE

The first part of 2020, Debbie was moonlighting for us. While the fellas built the huge, scalloped header at the shop, Debbie welded up the monster ranch gates at home.

 

The header ended up being about 33-foot wide.  The gates were a total of 20’-wide and over 9’-tall in the middle.  Our client, Jason Darby, had the rock put in later.  Each stone is 24″ x 24″ x 60” and weighs 2,300#. Wow! Right?

 

Debbie is pretty darn proud of that (as she should be) of these gates. But, because she did these at home, I don’t have any pictures of her working on them. So, I just found a good picture of her happily working on another project.

 

 

KATHY

 

Last, but not least … my fave!  I have to pick the 3 sets of this contemporary-style, aluminum, satin-black gates that we built for Dale Fowler’s lake house in Possum Kingdom.

 

I really dig the substantial, yet sleek design.  I also, love the fact we did 3 sets of the same gate for the same home.  Cha-ching! Haha!

 

At “press” time, I don’t have pictures of these gates painted and installed at their new home because we’ve only got two of them done so far.  We are waiting on concrete contractors to finish up the third driveway.  I’ll update this post as soon as I get better photos.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

Which is your favorite of our gates?  Check them out in our gate gallery and let me know in comments section below.  Here’s to 2021!

 

 

I find the frequency of this question peculiar because relatively few situations require gates open outwards. However, the answer is yes. Automated swinging driveway gates can open outwards if necessary.

 

Traditionally, gates swing inwards (the direction visitors enter your property).  I’ve heard it is considered more welcoming, but, so far as I know, it is not written in Emily Post’s Etiquette: Manners for Today.

 

Putting aside any concern of being welcoming or mannerly, I’m assuming you may just want to know your options.  So, let’s tackle what challenging driveway configurations may require outward opening gates and how to accommodate or avoid it.

 

 

UPWARDS SLOPING DRIVEWAY

 

One reason you might consider having your gates open outward is an upwards sloping driveway. We see this occasionally in our area of Texas, but I assume it is more common in mountainous regions.

 

If your driveway slopes upwards, these are your choices:

1. Sliding Gate – If you have the room for a single or double sliding gate, you can avoid an outwards swinging gate.

 

2. Gate Design – If you are not trying to contain small pets, a unique gate design could allow enough room to accommodate an upwards slope.

 

3. Rising Gate Hinges – We don’t have any experience with these, so I do not want you to think we are endorsing them. I just found this interesting YouTube video by GatesPlus on the internet.

 

Please comment below if you have any other suggestions to accommodate for a sloped driveway.

 

 

NO ROOM

If you do not have enough room, you might need to open your gate outwards.  Swinging gates outside of your property line is frowned upon.

 

One option if you are very limited on space in both directions is a bi-folding gate.  We’ve not installed these.  Our service area and client base is mostly Texas ranches west of Fort Worth, so space is just not an issue. But, bi-folding gates could be a wonderful solution for your situation.  This video shows how it works.

 

Our client in Abilene, Texas wanted an outwards swinging gate. The driveway beyond the gate was limited, but they had plenty of room to swing outwards.

 

They built an upscale, modern-French home and didn’t want to see the clutter of the gate operator mechanism in their small driveway.  So, we put in a Viking Access System underground gate operator. Check out the video of the groundwork on installation day.

 

 

GATE OPERATORS THAT OPEN OUTWARD

What happens if an underground operator is not an option and you’ve decided you must have or just want an automated outward opening gate?

• Do you have to have a an extra special, one-of-a-kind operator made to open outwards?
• Do you have to put the operator on the outside (street side) of your beautiful gate?

The answers are no and no.

 

The operators we install can either be installed to pull open (standard inward opening) or push to open (outwards opening).  We just installed this simple ranch gate with an All-O-Matic Toro 24 Swing Gate Opener and configured it to push open for a client whose driveway slopes uphill.  Pages 6 and 7 of the operator manual show how this operator can be configured either way.

 

If you are a DIY-er or just like details, Amazing Gates does a good job with some basic principles in their article about How to Layout Your Gate.

 

Let us know if you have any questions or other ideas in comments.  If you want help designing your dream driveway gate, get our checklist.

As you are designing your custom home or ranch entrance, you might run into a debate over whether steel or aluminum driveway gates are better.  I am not going to make an argument for one or the other because we build both.  We do make recommendations after we learn more about your specific situation.

 

Which is best depends mostly on your design, but it is also impacted by your location (proximity to salt water) or severe weather issues (snow/ice/rain).  Another consideration should be the configuration of your gate entrance (if it is a swinging or sliding gate).

 

Here are a couple of recent examples of discussions about steel vs aluminum gate designs we had with clients:

 

Your entrance will have its own qualifiers.  So, to help you discern what will be best for you, let’s discuss some the arguments for either option.

 

WHICH IS MORE SECURE?

 

Security is the primary reason to have a gate at your home or ranch.  A closed gate is a deterrent to those who are not welcome.  Trespassers cannot just drive up to your front door.

 

Some claim that steel is stronger than aluminum, therefore it is more secure. Let’s assume this is true (which is debatable, but let’s ignore that for now). This argument suggests that someone could ram through an aluminum gate easier than a steel gate.

 

Is that really a logical conclusion? If both gates are equal in size in this scenario, it will come down to the hinges, posts and locking mechanisms failing before the gate.

 

Does strength matter?

This article argues that the strength to weight ratio of steel is not better than aluminum.  If we were building the frames for high-rise buildings, I’m assuming it would matter. But, we build custom driveway gates.

A well-made and substantial looking gate with a strong foundation and post is more of a deterrent than a flimsy, lightweight one on wimpy looking posts that allow the gate to drag the ground.

 

 

 

It doesn’t really matter if a gate is built of aluminum or steel and which is stronger.  Both are just as durable and secure.

 

RUST PATINA OR NO?

 

Rust can either be a concern or a design feature.  Many of our gate designs have a rust patina.  It is perfect for many modern-style gate projects, but it is not the case for other styles of gate.  Rust runs can ruin those designs.

 

You may desire a rust patina gate design, but you live in an area where corrosion is a concern.  This could be due to coastal living (salt water is very corrosive), or maybe it is caused by months of snow, ice or rain.

 

If highly corrosive conditions are an issue, you might still achieve the rust-patina look with Corten steel.  It was developed specially to withstand corrosion. It is more expensive than regular steel, but it may be the answer for you.

 

It just depends on your situation.  In our area of Texas, a traditional steel gate at an adequate thickness will last more than a lifetime.

 

 

 

What if you do NOT want to see any rust?

If you want a contemporary black gate or one of our faux-paint finishes, rust is not part of the design. It doesn’t matter how meticulous a metal fabricator is about his or her welds, nor whether the gate is painted or powder coated.

 

Despite all efforts, you will almost always find some rust on steel over time.  Therefore, aluminum is our answer if you want to avoid rust on your gate.

 

 

Difference in rust and corrosion?

When iron or steel corrodes, it is referred to as rust. Aluminum is prone to corrosion, but it produces a substance that protects it from further corrosion. It is grayish-white and not as noticeable as the orange-yellow color of rusted steel.  This article gives a good description of the difference.

 

WHAT OTHER FACTORS MATTER?

 

After you decide if a rust patina is a look you want to include or avoid, there are other design elements that might help you determine whether to have a custom steel or aluminum driveway gate.  Let’s discuss some of those.

 

 

Wind and Weight

Did you want a solid gate design that you can’t see past for privacy or other reasons? If so, you should plan on building a sliding or bi-folding gate.  Wind is an issue for swing gates if they don’t allow air flow.

 

Even if you build your gate out of aluminum or any other light-weight material, a swing gate must fight with the wind to open and close.  Swing gates designed without a way for wind to flow freely through them, will require high-end and expensive automation equipment which is usually a budget buster for residential properties.  Operating swing gates without air flow manually isn’t the answer either.  You will have a battle on your hands either way.

 

Where wind is an issue and swing gates are desired, aluminum allows you a little more flexibility in design options than steel because it is lighter.  However, you can’t go too far.

 

Below are some examples. The steel gates needed to be sliders because the design would have been an issue as a swing gate.  These aluminum gates are thick and substantial, but still allow enough airflow to be swing gates.

 

 

 

Profiles, Flourishes and Labor

 

When you are looking for prefabricated profiles and flourishes, each material has a plethora of options.  There are more options in aluminum, but the options for both are overwhelming.  Check some of them out by browsing the King Architectural Metals catalog.

 

We find that aluminum is easier to shape and mold than steel.  In fact, we believe the labor time on our braided metal gate designs will be more affordable when we do them in aluminum.

 

 

 

BIG COST DIFFERENCE?

 

If you are shopping for a custom gate based on price and not just design, we need to look at the cost.  Everyone has a budget.

 

When you hear aluminum, you might think of beer cans, tin foil and Home Depot gates.  If so, you may assume aluminum is cheaper.  However, aluminum costs more than steel.  They are both commodities, so the pricing fluctuates.  Right now, aluminum is close to twice as much.

 

The material cost is not the only factor in the price of a custom gate.  Aluminum is easier to work with, so labor costs go down.  The added cost will not be double.  The details of the design will determine how much labor will be a factor in the price.

 

Another cost consideration for your budget might be shipping.  Because aluminum is lighter weight, it might be a cost savings for shipping depending on how it is shipped.  It may or may not be a factor.

 

• If we are shipping one of our fancy, faux-painted gates, we will recommend a dedicated truck. When you ship on a dedicated truck, that means it will be picked up from one location and then it will not be touched until it arrives at its destination. Weight is somewhat a factor, but it seems to be more about the miles when we ship it this way.

 

• When we ship gates raw (unpainted), they would be fine to ship LTL. That’s when the trucks stop at terminals along the way to on/off load.  It is cheaper, and price is dependent on weight.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

We’ve got a custom gate design+build checklist to help you as you make decisions about your gate design and budget.  Or, let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments.

 

Did your opinion of a steel or aluminum driveway gate change after reading these? Which do you think would work best for your gate design?

Building iron gates is our way of putting art into the world.  The finish is the final brush stroke.  To set our gates apart, we have invested in high-quality, custom gate finishes that enhance and augment our art.  There are three basic types for iron gates:

• Powder coating
• Painting
• Patinas

 

 

POWDER COATING

While powder coating has its place, it is not our finish of choice. We do use it on occasion, but it is not the only finish that will protect metal outdoors.  In fact, high-quality paint that is applied correctly can protect your gate just as well.

 

You can read more of our opinion in this article on powder coating vs painting.  Here, I’ll focus on discussing our preferred finishing techniques.

 

 

PAINTING

What color should you paint your gate?  The options are endless, and color is an important decision for your gate.  It is part of the style and look you are trying to achieve.  There is also a psychology to it.

 

We’re excited about what we have learned to do with color and paint.  Especially the beautiful creations that can be achieved using faux-painting techniques. Those are yielding so many exciting options for our art.

 

 

Discovering Faux-Painting

In 2018, Cindi and Mark Conklin asked us to build a gate for them. They sent us a picture of a wood gate with black brackets that they wanted us to duplicate.

 

Since we don’t build wooden gates, Jeffery told them we would create a steel gate that was faux-wood painted to look like their picture.  He assured them it would be no problem, and it would look exactly like the picture (or better).

 

The only issue was that he’d never done this before. He just knew it could be done. What excited him, stressed me.  More marital bliss at work.

 

As we were getting to the end of fabricating the gate, he found he had more questions than answers about how to faux-paint the steel to achieve the look he wanted as well as be long lasting.  Because we’ve admired the gates built by Stratford Gate Systems Inc. in Oregon for many years, Jeffery called the owner, Robert Rayson, to see if he wouldn’t mind giving us some advice.

 

Rayson agreed to help so long as Jeffery would join him for Hebo Fest, which is an gathering they host of Hebo machine owners for training and networking.  The event was only a few days away when we heard about it, but Jeffery booked a plane ticket within hours of Rayson’s offer.

 

We were so grateful for this opportunity.  Rayson’s team graciously answered all of Jeffery’s questions and then some about faux painting.

 

When he got back to Texas, Jeffery got busy putting what he learned to work.  He soon found that no matter how many questions he asked his colleagues or YouTube videos he watched, he still had to develop his own skills for this art form.  That’s why the faux-painting Jeffery does has a unique look.

 

 

“Will it last?”

This is the most common question everyone asks.  The high-quality paint we use should last over 10 years.  After that, it will just look like faded wood.  On the other hand, wood should be stained, sealed and or painted every 5-7 years.

 

Here is the Conklin’s gate in 2020. There is no visible change.  I think it looks better than a wood gate would after a couple of years!

We’ve gotten to know the folks at Sherwin Williams stores in Weatherford and Mineral Wells rather well.  They tell us that we’ve really pushed them with our questions to make sure we use the best and longest lasting products for our application.

 

 

“Water-based” Paint?

When painting these faux-wood-grain gate designs, we use a high-quality, industrial-grade, water-based paint over a complimentary primer.  And before you turn your nose up at the idea of using water-based paint, know that many car manufacturers are using waterborne paint instead of solvent.

 

It is a pleasure to work with.  And, it is worth mentioning these days that it is more environmentally friendly.

 

 

Our Faux-Painting Today

Check out the designs we’ve worked with our clients to design+build.  Each one was created to beautifully enhance their property entrance.

 

 

 

 

 

Besides the faux-wood, Jeffery has started creating other faux-painted looks as well. One example is this set of double-sliding, estate gates that Melissa and Kenneth Golden had us design for them. They wanted an old-world look to their gate to match the lamps Melissa selected.

 

 

Another faux-paint variation is this aluminum ranch gate that we shipped to Georgia.  It included inserts that we painted to look like knotty cedar boards.  Additionally, Jeffery painted the frame and added a metallic copper color to it to give it a rubbed bronze appearance.  It was not easy.  It took him several attempts to get just the right look.  We’re sure proud of the way it turned out.

 

PATINAS

Patinas are another custom iron gate finish option.  We’ve not done many patinas yet, but that is only because no one has asked Jeffery to do them!  The artist in him loves the challenge, so we’ll likely lose money on the first one.  He’ll work on it until he is proud of it.

 

I shouldn’t make it sound like patinas are completely foreign to us because we have done rust patinas for several clients.  Here are some examples:

 

 

We just recently learned more about the wide-wide world of patinas at MetalFab, which is our annual trade association event.  When we stopped by the Architectural Iron Design, Inc. booth, I picked up the Sculpt Nouveau booklet.  This little book has links to all sorts of great You-Tube videos like this rainbow steel technique.

 

The possibilities are mind boggling.  I’m hoping someone has some interest in doing colored patinas on a custom driveway gate with us soon.

 

 

A Colleague’s Example

Our friend, Dennis Dodson, is the owner/operator of The Shop, which is a welding and metal fabrication business in Poolville, Texas.  He has done several beautiful projects with patinas.

 

Occasionally, Dennis stops by our shop to visit.  It is never a short visit with Dennis! When we see him walking up, we know that the next few hours won’t be spent on what we’d planned.  Even so, we immensely enjoy the visits and always learn something from him.

 

The last time he stopped in, he shared some pictures with us of his patinas on a real estate development sign he created.  I was blown away with the way he made the letters look like real copper as well as with the rich blue patina he used on the river.  This really shows off Dennis’ artistic talent and some of the possibilities there are with patinas.

 

 

CONCLUSION

While the finish on your custom gate cannot make up for a bad design or poor craftsmanship, it can augment the art.  Even a plain design can become artwork with the plethora of finishing options available.

 

On the other hand, a bad finish can distract, damage or even ruin the appearance of a gate.  Great care should be taken on the final stage of your gate design.

 

We believe your gate is a piece of art that you have consigned us to build. It is the first impression of your property and your new front door.  We will not skimp on the finish.

 

“The primal artistic act was God’s creation of the universe out of chaos shaping the formless into form; and every artist since, on a lesser scale, has sought to imitate him.” – Laurence Perrine

 

Would you choose to powder coat, paint or patina your gate?

 

If you have more questions or need more help designing and building your custom driveway gate, here is our comprehensive checklist to help you cover all your bases.

 

 

When I tried to come up with a better title for this year’s review, I got hung up on making it rhyme again.  So, I gave up and decided to make mistakes and favorite gates the second annual title.

 

MISTAKES OF 2019

 

I’m not sure that everything on my list is really a mistake.  These are all examples of learning opportunities when things didn’t go as planned.

 

Shipping Gates

We learned how NOT to pack a gate we are shipping via FedEx that is going to Maryland.  Our fancy faux-wood paint job was messed up.  FedEx owned up to mishandling the package and sent us a check.  We’ll be using that to fly Jeffery to Maryland to touch up the gate in the Spring.

 

I’m hopeful the trip will get scheduled when the cherry blossoms are blooming in DC.  If so, I’ll go with him, snap some pictures of the gate, and show Jeffery around my old stomping ground. There is a silver lining to this “mistake”!

 

No Margin

We love what we do and the people we work with and for, but we found ourselves (especially Jeffery) really burned out at the end of the year.  At some point, there was no time for anything but work.

 

My plan is to schedule more fun time.  That includes a trip or two away from home, but also some time hanging with friends.  Consider yourselves warned.

 

Learning Curve

Since we really do NOT build cookie-cutter style gates, and since my husband always wants to try something new, we dove into aluminum this year.  It’s great to work with, but it is different.  With different came a learning curve that slowed us down some in production.

 

The only reason I put this in the “mistake” category is because we didn’t cover our learning curve, but that comes with the territory when you are building custom products.  We’ll be more efficient at it in 2020 because we are really excited to work with aluminum.  There are so many benefits, like: no rust EVER, lighter weight gates, more metal profiles, and more design opportunities.  Not to mention, we don’t know anyone else building custom gates out of aluminum around here.

 

Review

My mistakes list is much shorter this year than last.  I’m not entirely sure that it means we made fewer of them.  We may just be too tired to remember them all.

 

Our bottom line looks a bit better because our mistakes in 2019 weren’t as costly as the 2018 ones were. We didn’t have to totally rework projects, so YEAH for that.

 

We are excited about the calls coming in for us to ship gates.  We love serving Parker County, and we will never ever want to give that up.  However, it’s a thrill to be able send our artwork further out in the world.

 

OUR 2019 FAVORITE GATES

Moving on to the fun part of looking back at last year’s projects … let’s look at our favorites:

FRANKIE’S

Using a sky track to put the beastly 12″ x 16″ x 20′ faux-wood-painted gate header together on the job site made this Frankie’s favorite gate.  “The fact that we welded it from the inside so you can’t tell it isn’t wood was super cool as well,” he recalled.

 

JEFFERY’S

“I finally got to incorporate a true “braided” pattern design in a gate,” explained Jeffery. “The others we have done were just a weave.”

 

The design the client selected was a herringbone which is a pattern that Jeffery used in his rawhide braiding days.  He gave the client the option for that or the gaucho during the drafting process.

 

KOLBY’S

The first first general contracting gate project that Kolby was with us to participate in was the one we did for the Avery’s.  He said he enjoyed being a part of the multiple phases of this project and that is why he picked it as his favorite.  He said he also enjoyed seeing what is involved when we faux-wood-grain paint.

 

KATHY’S

I loved this project.  We didn’t design it.  The architect for the project in College Station did.  But, this modern-rustic gate with its simple metal details makes a statement. I’m hopeful we get more projects that are like this style.

 

WHICH IS YOURS?

Did you see an interesting gate in 2019? It doesn’t have to be one of ours! Send us a link to a pictures of a gate you loved.  I like adding interesting gate pictures to our Pinterest Board for future reference. I’d love your help collecting more ideas.

Have a great 2020!

When you are trying to imagine your perfect home or ranch driveway gate, it is easy to get  excited and overwhelmed with all the options.  But, deciding whether you want an arched vs straight-line design is a fundamental first step.

 

The factors that might influence the shape of your gate include your preference, home style, natural property features and cost.  Let’s discuss each to help you move the needle on your ideal gate design.

 

PREFERENCE

Is it just me, or does anyone else get stuck with worry about making a mistake? Or, paralyzed with concern over what other people think? I do so much that I forget about what I like!

 

What you prefer should influence your gate design.  Don’t forget it can really be that simple.

One client could not decide on the gate shape she wanted.  We asked her to tell us about something she liked, so she gave us a vase for inspiration.  The resulting gate design complimented her home style.

 

By the way, that is typically how it works.  It is rare that you would have a preference that doesn’t generally fit your home style.  So, relax.  Just be able to communicate what you like to your designer in some way.

 

HOME STYLE

I don’t have an example of a gate that we’ve built where the home style didn’t in some way influence the gate design. However, I can site times when it was the primary driving force for a design.  This might be the case for your ideal gate so let me show you a couple of examples.

 

 

PROPERTY FEATURES 

You may want to take into account natural property features like trees, hills, or ponds.  Using an arched or a straight-line design can add to the visual appeal of a treasured property feature.

 

A dipping-arched design can be used to frame up a beautiful old oak tree.  Or, a stand of tall pines might need a substantial straight-line design in order to stand out.

Take pictures of your property entrance and any features you want to highlight to discuss with whomever is designing and building your gate.

 

COST

Just so you know, there are additional costs to fabricating arches.  That’s because an arch is an added step in the fabrication process that includes the use of additional machines and labor.

 

Depending on the design and the metal profile, arches will either be mechanically rolled, or box framed.  Most of the time, rolling costs less than box framing.  However, there are limits to what can be rolled.

 

ROLLING

Most square, round or rectangular metal tube profiles can be mechanically rolled depending on the radius of the arch and the thickness of the metal.  The thickness must be adequate to prevent it from buckling or creasing.

 

BOX FRAMING

To keep the weight of the gate down and prevent the metal from buckling on an arched design with a greater radius than rolling will allow, we use the technique of box framing the metal.  This method is where we weld the edges to create the custom arches of bulkier designs.

 

Besides creating a gate design that has an arched shape, we use box framing to round some corners.  Here we used the technique to add an interesting arch to the top corners of this gate.

 

GATE WEIGHT ISSUE

Our clients want custom gates that are beautiful, but at the same time they want them to look substantial and secure.  So, we have a high demand for hefty and/or imposing-looking gates.  But, the law of diminishing marginal returns applies to installation, automation and shipping because gates can become too heavy to be practical or even feasible. (Quick shout out to Dr. Graves, for introducing me to the term, “diminishing marginal returns”, in Ag Economics 101 at Texas Tech University.)

 

Gate weight is a big reason we have been transitioning a lot of clients to aluminum from steel.  While the thickness of aluminum still applies for rolling vs box framing the metal, we can add to the substantial appearance of the gate without adding weight.

 

And, the benefit of NO RUST is huge. Especially on our gates with a matte-black finish or faux-wood-grain paint.  No one wants to see rust on those when we are done – including us!

CONCLUSION

Start designing your dream gate entrance with our 3-step, kick-start guide.  The guide includes a full page of traditional gate shape options.  Be sure to keep us posted on how it is going.  Send us your pictures!  Comment below if you have any questions.

October seems to officially kick-off the season for decorating your driveway gate.  With the season, comes family gatherings, neighborhood parties, and sadly an increased need for a closed gate.  To maintain security, welcome guests and make your wife happy, we’ve got a few do’s and don’ts for the holiday season.

 

1) DON’T BLOCK YOUR PHOTO EYE

What is your photo eye? It is an anti-entrapment device that will hold your gate open when the sensor is tripped.  There is not a way to turn off this device.  It is required on all up-to-date gate operators in compliance with the UL 325 code.  Older gate-operator models may not have them.

 

Every year, when our clients start their holiday gate decorating, we get calls about gates holding open.  Before Frankie gets in his service truck, we will ask if you have hung a wreath or lights on your gate.  It is likely you’ve obstructed the view of your photo eye with your decorations.

 

Here are some more tips for trouble shooting your photo eye year round.

 

2) DON’T LEAVE YOUR LIGHTS ON ALL NIGHT

Festive, yes, but that will add a lot to your electric bill (and possibly upset your neighbors). Set the lights on a timer and save some money.  Be sure to pass the timer idea along to your neighbors (if you like them).

 

3) DO CHECK & REPLACE BATTERIES

Most of the calls we get about driveway gate issues are due to a bad battery.  Good batteries should last a couple of years, but it is not unheard of for new batteries to fail.  If you get them from a trustworthy source, they will replace them.  We get ours from Batteries Plus.

• To test your gate operator’s 12-V battery, purchase a voltmeter from your local Home Depot or other supply store. If the battery tests less than 12-V, it is low. Take it in to get it reconditioned or replaced.
• Don’t forget that some keypads run on a 9-V battery. If yours hasn’t been replaced in a while, be on the safe side and change it out.

NOTE: You will have a battery to check even if your gate is AC powered.  In that case, you have a battery back-up system that you want to work in case your power goes out.

 

4) DO CLEAR DEBRIS & VEGETATION

Leaves are the major culprit this time of year.  If your photo eye is blocked, the gate will hold open.

Be sure to clear off your solar panel too (if applicable). You’ll want to make sure it is getting the sun it needs during these shorter days without any obstruction.

PRO TIP:  As it gets colder, freezing rain or snow can also cause an obstruction.  Add Rain-X to your photo-eye.  It is not fool-proof, but it sure does help!

5) DO GENERAL MAINTENANCE

Check for corrosion on electrical connections.  Clean them and apply anti-corrosive spray.  And, if applicable, oil and grease your hinges.

 

AND DO … BE A HERO!

Who wants to get out in the freezing rain to open a gate?  Not this gal!  And, I’m sure your wife won’t like it either!

Click here to download a PDF list of our full maintenance checklist.