| If life was like a fairy tale all our homes would be | | | | gate because wood damages in the rain. It's the |
| made of cup-cakes and sugar and our entry | | | | informed decisions that will be difference between |
| gates would be a large slab of chocolate candy, | | | | a gate that will have a longer life-span and one |
| just like the house from Hansel and Gretel. In the | | | | that will age and expire before its time. |
| earlier years many garden and entry gates were | | | | -You want to purchase a gate that suits your |
| designed to look angry with massive "Keep Out!" | | | | house. Know the basics of never throwing two |
| signs attached to it that I sometimes wonder if | | | | time period's looks together. If you your house is |
| the idea for a gate was to welcome guests or | | | | a contemporary design with modern architectural |
| scare them away. Fortunately though, times have | | | | traits then stick to the basics and choose a gate |
| changed. | | | | that is also a contemporary design. Your choice |
| A gate is more than just an entry point to your | | | | should unify and enhance the appearance of your |
| garden; your gate completes the appearance of | | | | home; it shouldn't be so conspicuous that it looks |
| your home. It's that last dribble of icing on the | | | | like you were trying too hard to be stylish. |
| birthday cake that gives it the finishing touch. But | | | | Top Four Gate Designs |
| the gate manufacturers have kicked it up a notch | | | | Bear in mind that the following list is only a |
| and all those uninviting designs of the past has | | | | guideline and ultimately your choice should reflect |
| surrendered to more friendlier looking gates that | | | | what your house already looks like. Strive to blend |
| welcome your guests on arrival, and compliment | | | | in rather than stand out. |
| your home. | | | | -The Ornate Structure - This is a metal gate or |
| Finding The Perfect Gate | | | | wrought iron gate crafted in a range of diverse |
| There is an endless amount of new designs for | | | | patterns ranging from traditional outlines to |
| gates that range from contemporary to | | | | beautiful vines and flowers. The emphasis lies in |
| traditionally old-fashioned. Your selection of a | | | | the intricate detail of the design. |
| brown gate or a white one has now broadened to | | | | -The Simple Structure - This is usually a wooden |
| a much larger spectrum. You now have the | | | | gate but can also be found in metal structures. |
| opportunity to transform the appearance of your | | | | This type of gate has plain, clean-cut lines with no |
| home with a beautiful, eye-catching new entrance. | | | | complex details. The emphasis is on the material |
| Metal and wrought iron gates is the standard | | | | and the craftsmanship of the gate more than the |
| option for most home owners primarily because it | | | | design. A Simple Structure type of gate is usually |
| is easy to maintain and it is able to withstand all | | | | complimented with a high quality, classy wood or |
| the elements as the seasons change, making it | | | | metal. |
| last a longer time than a wooden gate. The | | | | -Traditional Structure - Your average white |
| designs on a metal or wrought iron are also what | | | | picket-fence gate with miniature details and |
| attract the home owner. The structure can be | | | | decoration that stand out against linear patterns. |
| curved and melted to almost any shape and the | | | | -Modern Structure - This design fits most houses |
| results are remarkable. | | | | with contemporary architectural surroundings. The |
| Wooden gates require more attention in order to | | | | emphasis is on both the material and the design |
| always look its best. It is usually crafted from | | | | which is a mix of geometric shapes, linear patters |
| Teak, Rook, Oak and sometimes even softer | | | | and horizontal lines. |
| wood like Scandinavian Redwood. Most people | | | | What you should remember is that all gates - |
| have a preference for the natural look and you | | | | entry, garden of driveway gates - will eventually |
| can't really achieve that with a metal finish. But | | | | retire. And a good gate doesn't come cheap. So |
| although the wood will age with time and the | | | | rather invest in buying a good quality gate than |
| damage caused by a surplus of rain or sunshine | | | | one you've spotted at a bargain price. Very often |
| will add character to the gate and give your entry | | | | it's the bargain price gate that will have you |
| point a unique and personal touch. | | | | spending more than you intended to, repairing the |
| The functional alternative would be either the | | | | after-effects of sagging and corrosion. |
| Swing Gate or the Sliding Gate. Swing gates are | | | | Don't Stray From the Path |
| perfect if your property boasts the spacious | | | | The witch lured Hansel and Gretel into her house |
| factor; the gate wings add a luxury country club | | | | with her house and garden gate that was made |
| effect to your house. Sliding Gates takes up less | | | | of real candy. Evil as she is you have to give her |
| space than Swing Gates and are much easier to | | | | credit for not straying from her architectural |
| operate, but are much more expensive to install. | | | | scheme. Your gate is the first focal point of your |
| The idea is to choose a gate that will suit and | | | | house. It's the first thing your guests see when |
| compliment the architectural style of your house. | | | | they visit and it's the first thing potential buyers |
| Making An Informed Choice | | | | look at if you're going to sell. |
| When going gate-shopping it is vital that you know | | | | The perfect gate is not that hard to find if you |
| all the facts before you decide to make a | | | | know what you're looking for. But with all the |
| purchase. There are many factors you need to | | | | exquisite designs available, it's a search |
| examine first. | | | | nonetheless. You need to find a gate that has just |
| -You want to find a gate that is low on | | | | enough amount of "Keep Out!" attitude to scare |
| maintenance and that will wear well in its specific | | | | trespassers away and just the right amount of |
| environment. For example if you live in a region | | | | "Welcome" to keep the butterflies fluttering to |
| that experiences heavy rain most of the time, | | | | your garden. |
| then it'll probably be a bad idea to get a wooden | | | | |