Are you planning to install a wooden gate? By asking yourself the right questions and with the help of professional advice, you'll arrive at the gate of your dreams surprisingly quickly.
A stylish wooden gate instantly gives your home more character. What's more, a garden gate provides safe access and privacy in the garden. Children and/or pets can't simply run out into the street, and you avoid being overlooked from outside. Whatever the reason for installing a garden gate, the step-by-step plan below will come in handy.
First consider what function the gate will serve. Will the gate act as an entrance gate for your driveway? Then make sure the gate is wide enough for your car. Don't make the dimensions too tight, otherwise there's a good chance you'll scratch your car as well as your wooden gate. Do you only need a passageway into the garden for people? Then you can opt for a smaller wooden garden gate that integrates perfectly into a fence, but can also be placed freestanding beside the house or between the hedge. Here too, it's best not to underestimate the dimensions. You'll no doubt want to pass through easily with a bicycle or a wheelbarrow. Be sure to pay the necessary attention to the swing direction of your garden gate as well. It can be very frustrating if a gate opens to the wrong side. Of course, you can also opt for a combination of the two and pair your wooden gate with a garden gate. In that case, it's best to choose the same design.
Which type of gate suits your home best? Will you choose a wooden sliding gate or a wooden swing gate? The space available will be the main deciding factor. If you're considering a double wooden gate, there must be enough space behind the gate so that both leaves can swing open nicely. Don't have a particularly long driveway, or is the space behind the gate limited? Then go for a sliding gate. A sliding gate is also the best option in the case of a double driveway. It is more suitable for spanning large distances. With a sliding gate, however, bear in mind that you have enough available space beside the gate. This type of gate consists of a single piece that slides fully to one side to clear the passage.
Not only the space, but also a difference in height can determine the choice between a sliding gate and a double swing gate. If the driveway slopes upwards, for example, installing a swing gate isn't an option. Due to the height difference, the gate won't be able to open fully. In this case, a sliding gate is the only possible choice.
Do you want to open your gate manually, or do you prefer an automated system? The great advantage of an automatic gate is that you don't have to get out of your car each time to open it. With a simple press of a button, your wooden gate opens and closes. In the evening, too, you can close your gate from inside your home, for example. At Livinlodge by Carpentier, we provide underground gate automation for our wooden swing gates. With this, the motor is located entirely underground, so it doesn't detract from the aesthetic character of your gate. Our wooden sliding gates are available with above-ground gate automation, with a toothed rack on the gate. This ensures that the wooden sliding gate opens and closes automatically.
Take a moment to consider what's important to you in a gate. Which accessories absolutely must be present on your gate? Do you want a keypad, video intercom or audio intercom? Do you need a letterbox or lighting? Should your house number appear on your gate? These are optional accessories that can offer you extra comfort. You can still add them afterwards, but it looks nicer if you integrate them into your gate straight away. When opting for an integrated parcel letterbox, bear in mind that the gate post must be at least 400 x 400 mm.
Once you've done your homework, it's time for the next step: a visit to the Livinlodge by Carpentier showroom. After all, in addition to the practical matters, the appearance of the gate is also very important. The gate often stands in front of the house or at the boundary of the plot, and so forms the first impression of your home. To make the wooden gate fit in with its surroundings, it's best to match the style of your gate to the architectural style of your home. You do this through the choice of wood variety, the profile and the finish. Create a harmonious overall picture by carrying the line through into your fence and the cladding of your home or wooden outbuilding. Livinlodge by Carpentier can realise this overall picture for you, and moreover guarantees a seamless finish without visible nails thanks to the application of our smart mounting system.
A visit to our showroom is the way to discover, touch and admire our sustainable wood varieties and our wide range of cladding profiles and finishes. Our wood specialists are ready to present the various options to you with no obligation, in line with your budget, style and wishes. With our handy iPad app, they can also make a 3D sketch straight away, along with a clear and well-organised quote. That way, you'll know exactly what the gate of your dreams would look like and what the wooden gate would cost.
