AutoGate Systems http://autogatesystemsinc.com AutoGate Systems is your only choice for Gate Automation in the Hamptons Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:31:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Ornamental Iron Gates http://autogatesystemsinc.com/?p=58 http://autogatesystemsinc.com/?p=58#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:49:52 +0000 admin http://autogatesystemsinc.com/?p=58 Ornamental Iron Gates -Over the years, AutoGate Systems, Inc. has built steel gates using conventional steel shapes such as tubing, solid bar stock and channels. Experience has shown that utilizing the rigid strength of steel tube for the frame or at least for the hinge-side upright and bottom horizontal members, and using solid bar stock for the intermediates and perhaps the sweeping tops, (so common in iron gates), makes for the best overall job. The tubing provides the stiffness to overcome whip, which is common in steel bar framework. Solid bar intermediates (pickets) can be formed, forged or twisted into almost any shape. There is some fine architectural forge work available that we buy in component form which produces an elegant iron gate at a reasonable cost. Steel is probably the most versatile and surely the strongest material to work with, either as the sub-structure of wood or aluminum, or on its own.We prefer a natural iron finish on ornamental gates, which requires a three-step process: -The completed panel is sandblasted to remove all mill scale, weld spatter, etc -The panel is acid washed, then rinsed, several times -Acrylic clear-coat is applied, several coats in thickness, to preserve the finish Of course, iron gates can be painted as well, but the proper job requires sandblasting beforehand. It should be noted that all steelwork discussed here, whether structural or ornamental (painted) is epoxy coated after fabrication using the following process: Sandblasting or chemical cleaning/etching Applied epoxy: DeVoe Bar-rust 235 primer Marine Coating Applied epoxy: DeVoe Devran 229 top coat Marine Coating This product is expensive, but has proven itself in saltwater marine use on commercial steel ships, buoys, Mil spec. etc. All steel work is coated in the shop, after fabrication. In the event of any on-site welding, drilling or repairs, the process can be mixed i n the shop and applied in the field. Conventional red metal primer used by most metal shops is grossly inadequate for exposed steelwork. In modern paint formulas, the only metal found in red metal primer is the container itself.  

]]> http://autogatesystemsinc.com/?feed=rss2&p=58 1 Wood Clad Gates http://autogatesystemsinc.com/?p=12 http://autogatesystemsinc.com/?p=12#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:29:59 +0000 admin http://autogatesystemsinc.com/?p=12  Many of the designs in our portfolio are wood. Whether opaque, for privacy, or spaced picket, all wood gates are built-up (clad) over the steel framework. The woods used are Western Red Cedar, Honduran Mahogany, Teak, White or Red Oak. While Cedar is used quite often and is very resistant to rot, it is quite soft and is marred easily. No pine, poplar, plywood or composite board shall be used in our gate construction, however, exterior grade MDO plywood is often used as base in the wood column. Experience has proven the following: Wood gates laminated over steel framework are far stronger than solid wood gates because all supporting hardware, brackets, hinges, etc. are welded to the framework, not bolted through wood. Bolting through solid wood gates causes the holes to wear over time, thus enlarging and splitting, due to force of the gate operators and wind load. Laminating smaller or thinner pieces of wood together with epoxies such as WEST System is far stronger and more resistant to warping and checking than using single large members. Wood-clad steel gates are also easier to repair after being damaged by a car, etc. The framework is usually intact, and damaged wood can be cut away and replaced. What evolves from this is a rather stout gate panel, 3 1/2″ thick at a minimum. If the gate design calls for large opaque panels a lot of weight, or wind load, then the framework may be up-sized accordingly. The inclusion of magnetic locks for security, and to assist in holding gates open or closed against such loads would then be recommended. Obviously, these devices should be planned from the beginning, so as not to detract from the finished work. The design should not permit any water traps, or pockets, that may hold water and freeze, or promote rot.

]]> http://autogatesystemsinc.com/?feed=rss2&p=12 3 Aluminum Gates http://autogatesystemsinc.com/?p=1 http://autogatesystemsinc.com/?p=1#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:31:20 +0000 admin http://autogatesystemsinc.com//?p=1 Here at AutoGate Systems we have built several designs in aluminum, using square tube as framework, with either solid bar or tubular pickets, cast finials, cast or formed scrollwork. This has proven successful, especially near the beach, or on large width gate panels. Aluminum tube is available in many odd rectangular shapes, with architectural (square) corners. We have built gates of aluminum designed to look like wood gates, without all the bracing and gussets that wood gates require, using 3” x 5” rectangle tube and 1 1/2” round balusters. Even the finish was applied with a brush, so as to give the appearance of grain. Only a rap with the knuckle will give it away. This gate is far lighter than it’s wooden counterpart, will never sag, and is relatively easy to repair if damaged. (!) On gates like this, we incorporate a steel member inside the hinge side up right, so there is no through-bolting through the aluminum tube.

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