Top Considerations When Installing a Fence Gate on Elevated Ground
A fence gate is arguably the best option for a property owner that wants to maintain uniformity and continuity around their property. A fence gate is unlike other types of barriers which have different components in terms of material and design. That said, you need to consider a few issues when installing a fence gate on elevated ground. This article highlights such factors and their importance to the proper installation of a fence gate.
Degree of Ground Elevation
Inspecting the land gradient before installing a fence gate is essential. The reason is that ground elevation can adversely affect the ease with which a fence gate opens and closes. For instance, installing a fence gate on an elevated ground requires you to offset the hinges between a fence and a gate. It means that you have to align the hinges in a way that the top one is not placed directly above the bottom hinge. It allows a gate to open easily over the raised ground since the bottom of the gate angles up. The higher the ground elevation, the bigger the offset angle and vice-versa.
Weight of Gate
When you look at a fence gate keenly, you will realise that the gate and fence appear as a single unit. The only difference is that a gate section opens in the middle — in the case of a double gate — or the end. Therefore, you must be careful with the weight of a gate, especially if you are installing it on a site with a steep gradient. Notably, a heavy fence gate will exert a lot of weight on the entire fencing every time you open it, thereby weakening the unit over time. Therefore, match the weight of a fence gate to the degree of ground elevation. The steeper the elevation, the lighter the fence gate should be. Not only does it protect a fence, but it also makes it easy to close a gate.
Match Gate Design to the Fence
Just because a gate and fence are primarily made of wood does not make the unit a fence gate. Unfortunately, most property owners get this part wrong. A fence gate must be uniform in terms of its design to qualify. Therefore, ensure that you mimic the exact design of a fence when installing a fence gate. Colour and paintwork can vary depending on whether you want the gate section to stand out or not. For example, if you gave a lattice fence, then you can install a gate with a lattice design.
For more tips, reach out to a fence gate installation company near you.