Building a fence requires some planning, and once you’ve chosen the style, design, and location for your new fence you may think that your planning is complete. There is one more thing you can’t overlook before finalizing your plans- fence gates. As an industry leader in fence gate installation, SWi Florida has the experience and knowledge to guide you through the fence planning process. Keep reading for some tips and considerations to make when choosing the gates you will need for your next project.
Types of Fence Gates by SWi Florida
As a leading St. Augustine fence company, SWi Florida offers a wide variety of gates that will seamlessly match or complement the rest of your fence. If you haven’t yet selected your fence, check out our photo gallery for inspiration and ideas. Our aluminum fences are durable and elegant. Vinyl fences are low-maintenance and attractive. Wood fences provide privacy and security. Chain link fences are affordable and durable. Once you have chosen your fence, you can then pick the gates that will work best for your specific needs.
Residential Gates
The type of gate you will need for a St. Augustine residential fence project will be dependent upon the type of fence that you choose. Regardless of style, there are a few types of fence gates that are typical in residential projects.
- Single/Standard Gates: A single-door gate has one swinging door. This type of gate is the same height as the fence and is available in a variety of designs that can either match or complement the rest of the existing fence.
- Double Gates: Double gates are excellent for entry points that need to allow access for lawn equipment and larger recreational vehicles.
- Pool Gates: While most gates are both functional and attractive, pool gates must also be compliant with local codes. Be sure to let the fence experts at SWi Florida know that you need this type of gate for your pool.
Commercial Gates
SWi has built a reputation as an industry leader for commercial gate installations, not just in Florida but across the country. From light commercial gates to industrial strength gates, we do it all. The following are a few of the commercial gates that are available:
- Swing Gate: Most of the time, swing gates open inward. These are the traditional gates you may think of when you think of a commercial property.
- Sliding Gate: Unlike a swing gate, a sliding gate rolls along an installed track on a fence or wall. Sliding gates are more difficult to break into so they provide a better hindrance to would-be intruders or unwelcomed visitors.
- Cantilever Gate: A cantilever gate is similar to a sliding gate except that it is not installed on a track. Cantilever gates sit on rollers that are tucked behind the fence. They stay suspended when opening and closing the gate.
All of our gates can be outfitted with automatic gate openers or access control systems so that you have full control over who accesses your property.
Choosing Gate Placement for your St. Augustine Fence
When you’re planning your next St. Augustine fence project, placing your gates appropriately and efficiently is essential. You can ask the following questions to help you plan.
Where are the Entry Points on the Property?
Most St. Augustine residential fences will only need 1 or 2 access points. Consider where the access points are and then determine if you will need a single gate or a double gate. Single gates are appropriate for entry points that only need to accommodate people or small vehicles like push lawnmowers or bicycles. If you need an entrance for larger lawn equipment, recreational vehicles, RVs, boats, trailers, or other types of equipment, choose a double gate.
Commercial properties are likely to have more entry points than residential properties, so understanding your fence layout and needs is essential to this part of planning. Will you need a single, controlled access point for your business? Or will you have multiple areas that will need to be gated? Are there areas that need to be separated from visitors or customers, or will you have one large parking area? Do you need to have special access only for shipping vehicles, or will everyone access your property from one entry point? These are just some of the considerations you need to think about when deciding where to install your gates.
What is the Size of Your Property?
If you only need to secure a small plot of land with your St. Augustine residential fence, such as your backyard, you probably will only need one walk-through gate or one double gate that is big enough for lawn equipment. If your yard is large, you may need more than one entry point simply for convenience.
Large commercial properties that need commercial or industrial gates may still only need one access point, depending on the needs of your company. If you have a large area to fence, more than likely, you will need multiple gates, but the type of gate you choose will be determined by the needs of your company.
Where is Your Fence Located?
Does your fence provide a boundary between you and a neighbor? Or maybe it was installed along the back of your property line. At first glance, it would seem that you would not need additional gates, but consider the activities that take place in your yard. If you have children or guests that may throw something over the fence, having a gate will make it easier to get things back if that happens.
Commercial properties will need to consider where the fence is installed. Are you fencing in a parking lot for visitors? Or maybe your fence is simply to protect your equipment and stockyard? Maybe you need the fence to separate shipping areas from areas that are open to the public. Think about these things during planning, and you will be able to choose the right amount of gates for your business.
SWi Florida is Your Trusted St. Augustine Fence Company
Just as there are a variety of fence styles and designs, there are a variety of gates available for your project. SWi Florida is an industry leader when it comes to gate installation and access control systems, and we are here to help you with your project from start to finish. Our exceptional, knowledgeable staff is available to answer your questions, so give us a call at (904) 502-4361 or contact us online today.
