In recent years, the entrance gates to private homes have become an integral part of the overall appearance of the home, and a great deal of thought has been invested in their design.
In recent years, the entrance gates to private homes have become an integral part of the overall appearance of the home, and a great deal of thought has been invested in their design. In the past, it was customary to settle for simple, plain iron gates, but today we can see a noticeable change in trend, in which entrance gates are gradually becoming designed and impressive items that form an integral part of the overall appearance of the home.
It is often seen that the design of the gates is determined both in accordance with the design of the house and in accordance with the living environment in which it is located, with the aim of creating perfect harmony with the environment. Environmental art for all intents and purposes. The Snapir company, one of the leaders in the field, which manufactures and installs about a quarter of the gates in Israel, is leading the smart revolution in the field.
Shlomi Tsobari, the company’s VP of Marketing, provides the ultimate guide to choosing and purchasing a home entrance gate: “The home entrance gate is the first thing we encounter when entering the house. Therefore, it is important to invest thought into it just like any other corner of the house. Today’s technologies and materials allow for greater freedom of action than in the past when it comes to design, colors, and materials. However, it is important to follow a few rules along the way.”
Here are ten points that you should pay attention to when planning, selecting, and installing a home entrance gate:
- Thinking about the gate at the beginning of construction
It is important to plan the entrance gate in the early stages of building the house, especially when it comes to integrating electrical systems into the gate. Therefore, consult with professionals in the field even in the initial planning stages to tailor the best solution for you and prepare for it in terms of electrical infrastructure, support columns, electrical and communication ducts under the flooring, etc. Preparations for installation will be carried out after the exterior shell of the house is completed and will include measurements in preparation for the creation and installation of the gate. Here too, it is important to remember that there are always gaps between the planning and the actual execution. Remember, preliminary planning ensures significant savings in resources.
- Aluminum is king!
Today, over 60% of the gates installed in Israel are made of aluminum, while in the center of the country more than 80% of the gates installed are made of this material that provides all the advantages: a very light and durable material that allows you to realize almost any design vision: Do you want to combine wood or glass? Special profiles, do you want a unique color and high privacy? Aluminum gives you all these options. In the past, most of the gates installed were made of iron, but this material rusts, is heavy and very restrictive in terms of design. Aluminum provides all the advantages of iron gates and provides a solution to all of its disadvantages.
- Integrating electrical systems into gates
Today’s gates include complex electrical systems: from coders and intercoms, through cameras, to lighting and alarm systems. In cases where a vehicle entrance gate is also installed, it also includes a remote control mechanism for opening and closing the gate. When the sales consultant arrives for the first meeting, it is important to indicate to him the electrical systems that are to be integrated into the gate. Depending on the gate selected, the consultant will guide the customer on the type of electrical and communication cables, as well as instructions for establishing support posts, communication and electrical ducts under the flooring.
- Mailbox location
Some customers request to integrate a mailbox on the gate and in most cases, the request is for the mailbox to be part of the gate design. Indicate your preferences to the sales consultants so that they can guide you through the requirements for installing the mailbox on the gate even during the planning stage so that you can enjoy a perfect design of the entrance to the house.
- Safe to use!
The gate of the house is supposed to maintain the safety and security of the residents of the house, so it is important to ensure its correct planning, production and installation. Iron gates have often caused injuries due to their weight. Today, lightweight aluminum gates allow easy and safe use for all residents of the house and visitors to it. Make sure that the gate you choose meets the standard and is equipped with systems to maintain the safety of those using it.
- Up, down or sideways?
The areas allocated for pedestrian and vehicle entrance gates have shrunk significantly in recent years. Therefore, it is important to consider the most suitable format for them, in relation to the doorways in the house. The use of aluminum allows the combination of lifting gates that allow maximum use of the entrance gates. In addition, the thin profiles of the gates allow for sliding gates, swing gates and telescopic gates. All this while maintaining the design line and the ease of use.
- Don’t give up on visualization!
Today, computer simulations are an integral part of home planning and construction. They help us understand what the final product will look like. Snapir Company allows us to receive a simulation before the gate is manufactured, according to the style and colors chosen. This stage is critical in the process because it provides the opportunity to test the suitability of the gate we have chosen and make final corrections regarding the final design.
- Durable colors
So after we have chosen the appropriate gate, integrated the control and opening systems and prepared for its installation, it is time to choose the color of the gate. Here too, it is very important to make sure that the gate is painted by the company that manufactures and installs it. Advanced painting technologies today make it possible to have a gate in any color you choose and to ensure that the color will remain durable over time. Therefore, it is important to receive an accurate explanation of how and where the gate is painted and to receive a warranty for a significant period of time on the durability of the color. For example, the Snapir company provides a five-year warranty on the painting of the gate.
- The gate is part of the entrance to the house and yard.
The gate is an essential part of the exterior of the home, which includes the garden, fences, sheds, pergolas , and more. Most of the large and leading companies on the market, such as Snapir, currently provide a complete package for all of these. In order to maintain a uniform design line that contributes to a well-designed and harmonious feeling, it is worth building a design concept that will include the gate, aluminum fences , railings, and pergolas, so that all of these create a harmonious and well-designed appearance for the yard.
- Pay attention to service and responsibility!
Many companies offer entrance gates: from local locksmiths to giant companies. However, this is a long-term purchase, so it is important to choose the best company for you, one that has been in the field for years and that can provide you with the most professional service from your first phone call, through providing advice on designing the appropriate gate and presenting its computer simulation, to installation and long-term service.
