A driveway gate can add a great deal of curb appeal to your home. It can also serve a very important function as it provides security and privacy for your property. A well thought out and professionally installed gate can make your house look more inviting. It can also deter unwanted trespassers and wild animals.

Generally speaking driveway gates are made out of metal materials such as steel, aluminum and wrought iron. However, there are wooden gates available too. Wood gates tend to be a bit more expensive than their metal counterparts, but they are known for their aesthetics and durability.

Before you go out and purchase a new driveway gate it is important to consider what your needs are and what your budget is. You should also consider any security systems you may want to incorporate with your gate installation. These systems can range from a pin number pad, which looks like a phone keypad, to a system that you control with your smart phone.

Once you have a clear idea of what you are looking for it is a good idea to get in touch with a professional installer who can guide you through the process of designing and installing a custom gate for your property. They will walk you through all the options that are available to you and explain the benefits and costs of each. A professional will also be able to point out any potential problems that might arise with your particular project.

Having the right measurements will be one of the most important factors in your gate’s successful installation. Even a small amount of error can cause the gate to be too large to fit or too small to latch properly. It is recommended that you measure the area where the gate will be mounted several times before beginning any construction. This will ensure that you have all the information necessary for a perfect outcome.

A good rule of thumb when determining the size of your gate hinges is to allow for about 2’’ per panel for the hinge spacing. This will give you enough room to adjust the gap sizes if the gate panels aren’t perfectly level or aligned after they have been set in place.

When you are ready to dig the holes for your gate posts it is a good idea to have a few concrete blocks or bags of premixed concrete on hand to fill the hole up to where the top of the post will be when the gates are in position. This will help to keep the posts from being buried too deep and prevent water from seeping up through the bottom of the posts.

When you are ready to install your new driveway gate it is recommended that you do one side at a time. This will help to avoid putting too much pressure on the hinges of the gate while you are working and can also be easier on yourself.