Gates have been valued by homeowners for centuries. From the grandest estates to the simplest of country cottages, gates say, “This is private property.” A gate might be built into a wall or a fence, or it might be blocking access to a road or a walkway to the front door. It might require a special access code to gain entry, or it could have a simple latch that anyone can open. The message is the same, though. In addition to acting as a barrier between public and private property, a gate indicates that you’re entering someone’s special place.

Gates’ guard duty may be their chief purpose, but they can also be so beautiful! When the property owner takes care to make a gate attractive from the outside, there’s a touch of welcome implied.

Here’s a collection of residential gates that welcome your viewing pleasure.

Imagine having these glorious, shiny sheep guarding the entry to your ranch.

Photo Credit: High Desert Forge (more…)

I’m sitting in my son’s yard on this beautiful early morning, enjoying a cup of coffee and taking in the sounds of nature. I start realizing he has too much fencing, at least to my liking. I see why he has some fencing up, but why others? Now I’m thinking, why would my son, or any other homeowner, want to get rid of their fencing? I come up with the following reasons:

1. It’s just too hard to maintain.
2. Where is that fence located? There is plenty of property to open up to, why block it off?
3. The fence is old, run down and an eye sore to the place. (more…)

As you know, fences are uniquely American. Since we were a baker’s dozen of colonies, we have been fascinated by fences. They not only serve to keep us safe, but also give our homes and landscapes a touch of class and beauty.

In the going-on 300 years since colonial fences took root, there have been some major advances in fencing materials. In addition to classics such as wood and iron, you now have vinyl and aluminum. Each is more or less an attempt at improving on the other. (more…)