How to Choose the Right Gate for Your Fence

A fence is only as useful as its gates. They are the part you touch every day, so it pays to choose them with care. Homeowners across Orlando, Winter Park, Oviedo and Sanford often tell us the gate was an afterthought until it started to sag or stick. Here is how to think about gates before your fence installation begins.

Walk gates

A walk gate is the everyday door into your yard. Think about where you naturally walk, where the trash cans live and where guests will come in. Most people want at least one walk gate close to the house and another near the back or side of the property. A gate that is wide enough for a wheelbarrow or a lawn mower will save you frustration later.

Driveway gates

Driveway gates are larger and heavier, so they need stronger posts and sturdier hardware. Decide whether you want a gate that swings open or one that slides, and make sure you have the room for it. Think about the slope of your driveway too, because a gate that drags on the ground is a constant annoyance. A good installer will look at the opening and recommend what fits.

Matching the gate to the fence

The best gates look like they belong. A vinyl fence usually calls for a vinyl gate, a wood fence pairs naturally with a wood gate, and aluminum fences often have matching aluminum gates. Heavier gates need extra support, and Central Florida heat and humidity can be hard on hardware, so material choice matters.

Latches and self-closing hardware

Good hardware makes a gate easy to use and easier to trust. Self-closing hinges pull a gate shut after you pass through, which helps keep pets and children in the yard. A solid latch keeps the gate from drifting open in the wind. Choose hardware made for outdoor use, and expect to give it a little attention now and then so it keeps working smoothly.

Gates near a pool

If your yard has a pool, gate latching deserves extra attention. Pool barrier rules can be specific, and they vary by city and county. We are not the final word on those rules, so please confirm the requirements with your city and county before you plan your pool area gate.

Think about how you live

Picture a normal week at your house. Who carries groceries through the side gate? Where does the lawn crew come in? Do you move a boat, a trailer or a kayak in and out of the yard? Do pets or small children need a gate that closes behind them? Answering these questions before you pick a gate keeps you from living with a daily annoyance. It also helps to think about swing direction, because a gate that opens into a flower bed or toward a slope can be awkward to use.

Keep gates working

Even a well built gate needs a little care. Check the hinges and latch every so often, wipe away dirt and debris from moving parts and watch for any sag. Catching a small problem early is easier than fixing a gate that no longer closes. In Florida's heat and rain, outdoor hardware works hard, so a quick look now and then pays off.

Planning ahead

Before your fence goes in, walk the property and mark every spot where you might want a gate, now or later. It is far easier to plan an opening at the start than to add one afterward. If you are in Maitland, Longwood or Kissimmee and are not sure how many gates you need, we can talk it through with you.

Ready to talk it through? Call Discount Fence of Orlando at 407-612-6200 for a free on-site estimate.