Choosing the perfect gate for your home can be a challenging task. It's the first impression neighbors and passers-by will have of your property, not to mention what you’ll see every time you come home! Of course, you want to love the look, but you must also be realistic about materials and the environment. There are a lot of factors to consider, so let’s explore our top 3 tips for choosing a gate that matches your home.

Tip #1: Consider the Design of Your Home

One way to ensure that your property retains a timeless design is to establish cohesion between the gates and your home's style. What style was your home built in? Some houses are obvious (think Tudor style), but if you’re not sure, consider the style of some of the fixed elements of your home, like columns or roofs. You don't want a rustic, country-style wooden gate with a midcentury modern house. So if your house has wrought iron railings, it could be great to incorporate a gate with wrought iron.

Tip #2: Consider the Style and Feel of Your Neighborhood

In Santa Barbara, certain neighborhoods predominantly feature California Craftsman homes, while others feature crisp, white Spanish architecture. Try to maintain continuity of either the material of choice or the overall design with the rest of the neighborhood.

Tip #3: Accept Your Limitations

We’ll be the first to admit that all gates require periodic maintenance to function properly for the length of their working lives. Certain materials may require more maintenance, so consider the impact of your climate, solar aspect and/or proximity to the coast on the gate. If you prefer less routine maintenance, you may want to opt for aluminum over something like metal or wood. If you love the look of a wooden gate and don’t mind a little maintenance, expect to have it regularly inspected for wear and tear, rot, or chipped paint.

Now that you’re armed with the information you need to make the best decision for your home, give us a call or visit our showroom to pick out your favorite gate options. Consolidated technicians are knowledgeable about the products they install and are available to answer all of your questions!