5 Things To Consider When Installing Wooden Gates

Many of the things we use are made of wood. This is because wood is a sturdy material that is composed of important substances like cellulose fibers that are rich in tension and lignin which also boosts wood resilience against compression. This makes wood the perfect material for things like, boats, furniture, houses, floors, fences and gates and whole lot more.

A wooden gate can easily add class and elegance into your home and in turn increases the value of your property. In addition, installing a gate to your home also provides privacy and security for the entire family.

Unfortunately, buying or installing a wooden gate may not be as easy as it seems. You need to take a lot of things into consideration such as the type of wood, size of the gate, maintenance and budget before being able to enjoy its many benefits. So, before you start with your project, here are some of the things should be noted

1. Budget

The first thing to consider is your budget. This will determine the kind of wood that you should buy as well as the design and finish of the gate. You can hire a contractor to take care of the project or you can choose to do it on your own to save money. Whether to automate the gate or not is also often based on the budget.

2. Type of Wood

There are two kinds of lumber that can be used for gates, hardwood and softwood. Softwood is less expensive and easier to work with than hardwood. Before buying a material for your project, ask the wood dealer on which material is best for your driveway. Ask how durable the wood is, what special equipment is needed to bolt the screws and hinges to the wood and if it is resistant to bugs, decay and rotting.

3. Size of the Gate

Larger driveways will require larger and longer gates. If your gate goes longer than 3.5 feet, you will need extra support for the gates such as metal braces that will help maintain the rigidness of the joints and prevent the gates from warping or sagging.

4. Automation

You need to decide whether you want an automated gate or not. If you want it automated, you can choose from a swing or a sliding gate. Keep in mind that you need to have enough space for swinging gates. On the other hand, sliding gates require you to ensure proper safety measures to avoid accidents.

5. Maintenance

Typically, wooden gates need to be polished every 3 to 4 months. You should also check every latches, hinges or automated parts for possible damages. Re-applying the protective coating is also important every few years for the up-keep of your gate and to protect it from harsh weather conditions.