No gateway or pedestrian gate looks the same in every home, and you might just have something unique and different in mind to stand at your entrance. If you’re creative at heart, and love putting your designs and ideas to paper, this guide will cover the best way to design your entrance. We’ll look at the technicality of measuring involved and the wide range of material and design options to choose from.
The gateway to your property is always the first thing you see when you arrive home after a long day at work. It’s the first impression your friends and family have when they come for a visit, and any passerby is going to get a glimpse when strolling on the sidewalk. Why choose something that isn’t attractive to the eye? If you’re proud of your home and its design, you should be just as proud of your entranceway, including creating a beautiful, yet functional pedestrian gate.
What are pedestrian gates?
Pedestrian gates can be the most convenient way to enter your home. They can be built as their own small entrance to let people into your home, or they can be built within your larger gate to conveniently enter the premises without opening the whole thing. It is a great way to make your home more welcoming and accessible, and these gates also make your home safer.
Some people choose to design an automated pedestrian gate for easy access and with a quick locking system. While others choose to design more ornate, and aesthetically pleasing pedestrian gates. The following are some of the most popular reasons people install them.
They keep trespassers and thieves from entering your property. Adding a pedestrian gate to your home is a great way to enhance safety. Keeping it locked will make it much harder for anybody to enter your home without permission. You can feel safer at night and when you are away if you know you have a secure pedestrian gate and driveway gate installed.
They will protect your children and pets from leaving the safety of your home. Young children and pets are especially vulnerable and at risk of running outside into the street where cars and people can be a danger to them. Installing a secure, self-locking pedestrian gate is a great way to keep your loved ones safe at all times.
They can make your driveway and curb appeal very attractive. Let’s face it, not all pedestrian gates are made with the same attention to detail, and some are purely functional. But they don’t need to be boring, and there are many design options available that can easily enhance the aesthetics of your property. They can add to the value of your home or property, and many people choose to install them purely for the design aspects. Having a good-looking driveway and well-designed pedestrian gate can help when you are trying to sell a property. A buyer’s first impression is highly important and it starts at the front gate.
Glow innovations offer a wide range of pedestrian gates that are completely customisable to suit the aesthetics of any home, no matter how big or small your needs may be. We offer an online service to help you create a fully customisable design specific to your entranceway. Our team are experts at creating gates in all sizes, and styles and from a variety of materials.
Aesthetics of a pedestrian gate:
Your options are almost endless when it comes to gateways and pedestrian gates, so you might be wondering where to begin. When considering a design aesthetic, a good place to start is to decide on the material you want your pedestrian gate to be made from. You also need to decide if you are choosing materials for their functional properties, or because you enjoy the look of it. Stainless steel can be both strong and sturdy, and can also be shaped into ornate patterns and designs if preferred. Some popular materials include the following:
- Wood
- Aluminium
- Wrought iron
- Steel
- Nutec board
Glow Innovations offers a range of Nutec boards which are made from man-made fibre. These are extremely durable, weather-resistant and low maintenance, making them a great choice for any design. Many pedestrian gates also combine materials and can be made up of wooden slats with steel frames. This is a popular choice for many homes, and the type of wood can be customised to your liking.
Tips for designing pedestrian gates:
Designing a pedestrian gate means you’ll be faced with many options, and deciding on the basics first will help you narrow down your choices. Deciding on your material preference is only the first step to designing your gate, and there are many other factors to consider. The following tips can help you create a design you’re proud of:
Decide if you want a swing or a sliding gate
Pedestrian gates can either be swing gates or slide gates. Swing gates open inwards or outwards depending on your property, and can be made from one panel, or even two panels if your entranceway is wider. Slide gates are not as common, but they are usually made of only one panel. Slide gates are impressive as they are cantilevered, and do not slide on a rail.
Decide on a manual or automated system
Both manual and automated pedestrian gates add value to your property, although it can cost a bit more to install an automated gate, so you need to consider your budget when taking this into your design. Automated gates add that extra sense of security, they automatically close and lock themselves. This means no more worrying from you when you think you might have forgotten to close the gate. It’s the perfect option if you have children and small animals living in your home. Many people often choose an automated system for sliding gates, as it fits well with this design.
Consider the limitations of landscape on your property
We know some driveways can be tricky, with steep hills, large trees, and natural rock formations to work around. Unfortunately, sometimes there’s not much you can do about this, but you can alter your design to suit the landscape of your driveway or entranceway. It’s a good idea to consider these limitations right from the start to avoid extra costs later. Nobody wants to be making changes at the last minute, and it can be frustrating if your design doesn’t fit into the landscape.
Consider the climate of your area
Do you live in an area with heavy rainfall or snowfall in winter? Or perhaps you have harsh sun for most of the year. It’s very important to consider the climate in your area when designing your pedestrian gate, especially when choosing the best material to use. Metal can be susceptible to rust in coastal areas, so be prepared to maintain it regularly with anti-rust products. If you enjoy the look of metal but aren’t prepared to maintain it, you can consider choosing aluminium which is less likely to rust. Wooden pedestrian gates can also rot easily if not treated properly. In more humid climates make sure you repaint and reseal your wooden gates when necessary.
Determine how much privacy you want
A pedestrian gate and entrance gate can be a great way to make your property feel more private. If your entrance looks onto a busy street perhaps, and you’d like to keep unwanted people from looking in you can opt for a design without any openings. Designing a solid gate out of wood or metal will prevent strangers from seeing into your property. If this isn’t an issue for you and you want a more open feel, you can design a more decorative gate with thin slats to allow a view into your property.
Design with the rest of your home in mind
No matter if your pedestrian gate is functional or decorative, you still want it to match the rest of your home in some way. Gain inspiration from the architecture and colour of your house, as well as the look and feel of your driveway. You may choose a more rustic-looking gate to suit your country home or something with sharp edges and clean lines for a more modern-looking home.
Get inspired by your neighbours
Sometimes, the best design ideas can be right under your nose. Take a walk around your neighbourhood to get an idea of some of the aesthetic choices of the houses around you. Sometimes an entire neighbourhood can follow similar designs and it can look wonderful when you match the stylistic feel of it. If you live in a neighbourhood that has a homeowners association, make sure to find out if there are any necessary restrictions you need to consider in your design.
Look into getting an intercom system
Adding an intercom onto your pedestrian gate or driveway gate is the best way to manage access to your property. It adds extra security as well as convenience to your entrance design. You can easily receive calls from people trying to enter and open your gate from the comfort of your home. If you use your home as an office space or see clients from home this is a great option to add to your pedestrian gate. It looks professional and it helps you to easily allow people to enter and exit.
Measuring for your pedestrian gate:
Designing your pedestrian gate means you’ll need to double check that your measurements are spot on to ensure your new pedestrian gate fits perfectly. Taking accurate measurements will also allow you to get an accurate quote before you order your new gate. Consider aspects such as the height and width of your entranceway before requesting a quote. Although, once you’ve decided on a pedestrian gate, you’ll need to get in the professionals from Glow Innovations to come and accurately measure your entranceway before the fabrication of your custom design.
Glow innovations offer bespoke pedestrian gates made especially for you. You can enjoy the process of designing your entrance, and let us create the finished product for you. Our professional staff have experience in designing pedestrian gates and are here to assist and collaborate with you to create a design you will love.
If designing your pedestrian gates seems overwhelming, we also offer a large variety of premade gates to choose from, and you may just find the perfect one for you. Get inspiration on our website with our most popular designs. If you find something you love we can custom-make it to fit your measurements perfectly, and enhance the security and look of your home. Glow Innovations offer free quotes to clients so you can feel at ease when choosing your pedestrian gate. We also take care of the entire process, from the design to manufacturing and installation, making the entire process as convenient as possible for you.