The best choice for a summer residence is a swing gate with a wicket
It is at the gate that one gets the impression of the owners of the cottage, their thrift and diligence. The simplest and most convenient option is a swing gate with a wicket. This design has a reliable and time-tested mechanism that rotates the flaps 90 degrees. Correctly mounted and adjusted doors open quietly and smoothly and work for a long time. Modern materials allow you to get both economical options and exclusive ones.
Types of swing gates
The gate frame is most often made of a metal profile pipe, it can also be wooden or forged. The frame is sewn up with rolled metal, wood.
Swing gates with a wicket made of corrugated board are in great demand. This design is distinguished by its low weight, ease of installation and low price. Corrugated board presented on the market in a wide range of colors and profile types.
Automatic gates with remote control are convenient. It allows you to open and close the sash without leaving the car.
The advantages of such gates are obvious: you can get to your own territory much faster and more comfortably without blocking the roadway with your car for a long time.
Installation of swing gates
Installation of swing gates for summer cottages with a wicket begins with the installation of support pillars. For them, the foundation is poured without fail. It can be solid - along the entire length of the gate, or columnar. They dig a hole for at least one meter under the foundation, ram the bottom, sprinkle it with a layer of sand, ram it again, then there is a layer of rubble. After that, reinforcement is attached in the center of the pit, on which the post will be held and concreted. After the concrete has hardened and gained the necessary strength, the work can be continued - the pillar can be overlaid with brick or other finishing material.
If the gate is equipped with automatic equipment, all wiring must be laid before finishing work begins.
The gate frame is welded independently, or welding is ordered by specialists. When buying materials for it, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the future gate and the effect of the wind. Solid gates have a large windage and strong gusts of wind can damage a weak structure.
After installing the pillars, the hinged hinges are welded and the gate frame is placed on them. The frame must be carefully adjusted so that it stands strictly vertical, the flaps should not open spontaneously. The shutter movement should be smooth, without jerking or squeaking. Usually the frame is covered with metal - both the doors themselves and the wicket. Such swing gates are optimal - they have a low weight, low price, and the profile and color can be chosen for every taste, as can be seen in the photo below:
Swing gate automation
If you are tired of opening and closing the gate manually, you can upgrade it. It is even better to provide for the possibility of automatic operation at the gate design stage. In this case, all wiring can be hidden under the cladding material.
Automatic systems for swing gates with a wicket can be:
- linear,
- lever,
- underground.
Linear drives are in greatest demand. They work using a worm gear mounted on a long screw. The gearbox sets this system in motion - the worm gear pulls or pushes the gate leaf.
When choosing an electric drive, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the sash and its windage. Calculate drive power with a margin.
Advantages and disadvantages of swing gates
This simple and time-tested design has many advantages:
- there are no height restrictions for passing vehicles;
- all installation, adjustment and maintenance work can be done independently;
- swing gates have the lowest price.
There are also disadvantages. It is advisable to take them into account when designing a gate:
- A significant load will act on the bearing pillars, moreover, one-sided. With erroneous calculations and installation, the gate can warp over time, and the concrete base can crack. It is difficult to fix this defect, you will have to reinstall the pillars.
- It is difficult and unsafe to use swing gates in strong winds.
- It is necessary to constantly monitor that nothing interferes with the movement of the flaps. In winter, snow that has not been cleared in time can delay the driver's departure for a long time.
If all the difficulties are taken into account and the installation was made error-free, swing gates with a wicket will last a long time without requiring expensive maintenance.