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Discussed in Part 1 of our blog, automated gate systems are available in a variety of styles and constructions to suit your security needs. The second installment of this blog looks at how gates can help protect other important members and areas of your home.
Secure Your Pool Area
While pools can provide your family with endless summer fun, they pose a significant safety risk to young children when not properly fenced and gated. According to the CDC, accidental drowning poses the greatest threat to children ages one to four, and it is one of the leading causes of death in that age group.
Professionals recommend having a self-closing, self-latching gate on a fence that is at least four feet in height. For added security, the gate should swing outwards from the pool to prevent children from being able to push open the gate from outside of the pool area.
Keep in mind that many counties have regulations on pool fencing, so be sure to check with your local ordinances.
Have a Little Peace and Quiet
Privacy fences not only provide a barrier to curious eyes, but they also reduce noise pollution in your backyard. These fences come in all shapes, sizes, and materials, so you can likewise let your creativity run wild when choosing a gate design.
However, a gate on a privacy fence should fit in seamlessly with your fence in order to maintain the privacy barrier that it generates around your property.
To create a seamless barrier, consider:
- Matching the gate to the height of your privacy fence, which is around six feet in most constructions.
- Reducing or eliminating visibility with slats of wood, vinyl, or composite materials; metal, though not as common, can also be used on a privacy fence gate.
Keep Pets In
Fencing your property can be a great way to give your pets some fresh air and exercise without having to worry about their safety. Keep these tips in mind when choosing a gate and fence installation for your home:
- Like pool fences, a self-closing, self-latching gate will help to ensure that your pets cannot get out if a member of your family forgets to close the gate on their way out or doesn’t shut it properly.
- Consider the size of your pet when designing your fence system. If you have a medium- to large-sized dog, your gate and fence should range from four to six feet in height. If you have a very small dog, you will want to reduce the gaps beneath and around your gate, as well as any other spaces in the fence design.
- Since wood fences can deteriorate from wet and dry rot, eventually giving your pet an escape route, professionals recommend using vinyl, metal, or composite materials for your fence and gate, unless you are willing to keep up with the maintenance of a traditional wood fence.
Pet fences carry the added bonus of keeping wildlife out while containing your pet within. If you live in a suburban or rural area, you can be sure that your fence and gate will keep any unwanted deer from terrorizing this season’s vegetable garden.
Whether you’re building a fence, installing a gate, or just thinking about it, it’s important to consider your house’s needs as well as those of your family and pets. A reputable fencing contractor will be able to help you make the best decision.