Steel gates are an essential element in farming, as well as in commercial and industrial scenarios. A steel security gate may also be used adjacent to a residential front or back door.

Function will also determine the size of a steel gate.

Types and Styles of Steel Gates

Steel is an amazingly versatile material and offers a number of advantages for a steel gate versus other materials.

• Steel is naturally strong and durable, though when used outdoors, it does need to be galvanized or coated to prevent corrosion long-term.
• It can be used to create visually beautiful complex designs.
• It is a remarkably economical material to use.

When you look at examples of different steel gates you will be able to recognize the versatility of the material. Some are made from steel bar, others from flat bar and some from tubular steel. Decorative castings, and flat metal spears are often incorporated in the design.

A steel gate can be designed to match the style of a steel fence, but if the fence is made from wood, any design will usually work. In fact, the gate can easily become the hero if designed creatively. Probably the only reason you might want an inconspicuous looking gate would be for security reasons, so that it doesn’t draw attention.

If it is to be used for security as well as for access, a steel gate will need to be sufficiently high and designed so that intruders won’t be able to climb over it. As with wooden fences and gates, steel fences and gates often incorporate a vertical rail, which can be used as a foothold to get over the fence or gate. This can be a problem if you have children you want to keep in the property as well as wanting to stop intruders from getting in. If the rail is low down and doesn’t provide access to another rail higher up, the problem should be solved. This is also a vital issue for swimming pools that should always be inaccessible to children not accompanied by an adult – whether they can swim or not!

On the subject of swimming pools, in terms of Australian standards, gates have to be mounted so that they swing away from the pool. They must also be self-closing for safety reasons and should have a child-safety lock. Pool gates – and fences – need to be at least 1.2 m high and the gap between the vertical bars cannot be more than 100 mm. Latches must be at least 1.5 m off the ground.

Planning a Steel Gate

Things to consider when planning your steel gate:

• A steel gate used to enter a property usually swings inward towards the driveway, path, or house.
• If there is sloping ground, a gate will usually swing towards the side that goes downhill. This will avoid the possible need to cut the bottom of the gate to accommodate the slope.
• A gate located at the corner of a fence should generally swing back against the corner of the fence so it doesn’t get in the way when it is open.
• If you want the steel gate to swing in both directions, make sure that the gate and steel post are the same thickness.
• When gates are set into brick or black walls they can usually be hinged to swing in both directions.

In addition, you will need steel hardware including latches, hinges, handles, and if you opt for an electric gate, operators to open and shut the steel gate.

Steel Gates From BlueScope Distribution

BlueScope Distribution caters for all Australians in a wide variety of environments, farms in particular. Steel is the company’s business and products include bar, sheet and plate metal, pipes, flooring and hand railings, reinforcing products, engineering steels, building products, fencing, mesh, gates and a whole lot of other miscellaneous products.

Gate products include tubular self-closing gates made with and without kickplates, as well as gates intended for use with roll top fencing.

There are also a number of typical farm gates including five-bar gates with a centre brace, and mesh gates that feature an “I” stay brace or ‘N” stay brace. These are available with all the possible steel gate fittings required.

Of course, steel rural crushes and head bails also come with gates, depending on the crush supplied, as do load ramps and other equipment required for farming.

If you need a steel gate or other steel products, contact BlueScope Distribution to see if and how we are able to assist.