Driveway Gates 101: Materials, Size & Type
Finding the Perfect Gate for Your Home
Gates are one of the best ways to add security and style to your home. Gates provide great benefits to your entire property, especially a beautiful, quality driveway gate installed professionally. If you are considering installing a driveway gate for your Kanas home, what is the basic information you need to know in order to make sure you get exactly the right gate for your property?
Cheney Door Company has been relied upon to install secure residential gates to homes in Wichita, Hutchinson, Salina, and surrounding southcentral Kansas communities for decades. We know what factors determine what gate our customers need for their homes. Our team has years of experience installing and servicing a wide variety of gates for both homes and businesses. From single swing gates, double swing gates to slide gates and a variety of entry gate accessories, we are here to provide the help and service you need.
How Big of a Driveway Gate Do I Need?
The most common driveway gate sizes are 10, 12, 14, and 16 feet wide. But every house is different. How can you tell which size driveway gate your home needs?
The gate size needed for your driveway will of course depend on the size of your driveway. Most standard driveway entrances are usually at or just above 9 feet, but some it’s not uncommon for some driveways to be as wide as 24 feet. Measure the size of your driveway entrance. The gate you will need should be a little wider than the size of that entrance.
Another factor to consider regarding gate size is the size of your vehicles. Larger vehicles need a wider space to turn when passing through an entrance gate.
And, of course, your budget may be a factor to consider. A larger gate will require more materials, leading to a larger cost than a smaller driveway gate.
Get a free quote on a new driveway gate from Cheney Door Company. Call (316) 262-2098 or send us a quote request online.
Single or Double Gate?
Driveway entrance size may also help determine whether you should get a single gate or a double gate. But often, whether you choose a single or double gate often come down simply to a matter of preference.
However, there are some physical factors that can help determine which may be the better fit. For example, if you have a straight driveway, a single swing gate may work very well. But if your driveway curves, a double gate may be needed to accommodate the path of your driveway and entrance.
Residential Gate Materials
There are several options when it comes to what your gate is made of. Typically, driveway gates are either wood, metal, or a composite material. Each type of material comes with its own unique benefits.
Wood is a great option if privacy and security are top priorities for your new gate installation. Wood gates also provide a natural look and can be especially complimentary to certain styles or architecture of homes. Wood gates need to be stained to protect the gate from the elements.
Metal gates, such as steel or iron, can create a stunning aesthetic to your home. They are sturdier than wood, although do not provide the same level of privacy.
The maintenance needs of iron gates mostly involve issues of rust. Repairs to iron gates are typically more costly than gates made of other materials.
Gates made from composite material are great options to consider, especially when your budget is a top priority. They can provide just as much privacy as a wood gate, and typically at less expense. Gates of composite material can be painted or can look like a wood gate. Composite gates are lighter than other materials and require less maintenance.
Get a free quote on a new driveway gate from Cheney Door Company. Call (316) 262-2098 or send us a quote request online.
Swing or Slide?
Now that you’ve determined what material you prefer and how large of a gate your driveway needs, it’s time to decide how you want your gate to open.
Slide gates have doors that slide to the side, staying completely in line with the gate. They are great to accommodate a driveway that does not have enough room for the “swing distance” of a swing gate.
Swing gates have a door (or two if it’s a double swing gate) that swings in our out. Just as your driveway size and path helped determined a proper gate size, so will those factors influence the type of gate you get. The amount of “swing space” your driveway has may influence whether you get a single swing gate or a double swing gate. A double swing gate needs half as much “swing distance” as a single swing gate.
Depending upon the space you have available for the gate doors, you may find your property will best accommodate one type of gate over the other. A shorter driveway may not fare well for a swing gate. But if you do not have the necessary space along one or both sides of the gate, then a swing gate may be exactly what you need.
One-of-a-Kind Gates!
Now for the best part – making your gate one of a kind! Here at Cheney Door Company, we have had the pleasure of making some of the most unique gates you’ll find across Kansas or even the country!
Take a look at a sample of other beautifully unique gates installed by Cheney Door Company over the years.
Need more inspiration? There are dozens of beautiful examples of gates that Cheney Door Company has installed on our website. Just click on these different gate options to scroll through our gallery images:
Contact the team that has been installing beautiful home and driveway gates in Kansas homes for decades. Cheney Door Company is a locally-owned company and has been since opening in 1971. You can rely upon us for high-quality professional installation of gates, garage doors, entry doors, and more.
Contact us today for a free quote! You can always call us at 316-262-2098 to learn more about how a new driveway gate will work for you and your home.