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Proper Construction Methods ~~
There is a right and a wrong way to
do anything. We build alot of gates and they are usually rather expensive gates.
Invariably the first thing a customer says to me is that he or she doesn't want a
gate that "sags". I agree completely and have been designing entrances for
over 20 years that have gates that will not sag. Usually it requires just
that........that I design the entire entrance and not just the gate. The application
of just the most basic engineering principles can make it physically impossible for a gate
to sag. But when it comes to the entrance itself and the forces at play on the area
the gate is hinged to, it gets much more complicated. I know several outstanding fabricators who have had their reputations
tarnished by hanging a well-engineered gate on an existing structure their customer
insisted upon using. The gates sagged either immediately or soon thereafter, and
rather than fixing the cause at the source (in these cases the source was the poorly
engineered entrance), the customer simply attached a wheel to the outer end of the gate
and settled for a band-aid instead of a cure. The entrances continue to deteriorate
because the wheel only helps the gate not drag, and the gates continue to wear out or
damage automatic openers due to the increased drag and friction. Although the gates
themselves do not sag, the sudden appearance of a wheel on a gate and constant problems
with the entrance signal to other potential customers that they don't want that
fabricator building a gate for them!
I advise that if you want a great gate, have a great
entrance. We will help you design a great entrance in conjunction with your local
engineer/architect/builder who knows the soil conditions in your area. Those guys
know how to build an entrance that will not sag. We help by showing what needs to be
built into the entrance and foundation of same so that the gate that will hang there
causes minimal stress on the entrance and eliminates the wear and tear caused by the
action of opening and closing of the gate and the natural forces at play as this happens.
Regardless of who builds the gate, let us help you design it
in such a way as to make it a permanent and maintenance-friendly experience. It will
be well worth the minimal cost for this service.
Here are some basic drawings and photos from previous
jobs......simple drawings, easy instructions, lasting value when heeded. Simply
looking at the drawings and photos can help you with the principle. |
