Openwork gates and gates with original forged elements look quite original. Such products look really elegant and attractive. In addition, their main task - protecting the courtyard part - is successfully completed.
All the pros and cons of forged construction
Such doors complement the fences around:
- country houses;
- cottages;
- private companies;
- government agencies;
- entertainment complexes.
Among the advantages of beautiful forged gates:
- Unique details. They are forged by hand. That is why owners often order products from blacksmiths according to individual sketches and drawings, so that there are no repetitions.
- Beauty. Forged ornaments give the fence majesty, exclusivity, and emphasize the status of the owners.
- Durability. Metal protected with anti-corrosion compounds lasts up to a hundred years or more, remaining resistant to wear.
- Strength. The gates do an excellent job of protecting the property, protecting the estate from unauthorized entry.
- Compatibility with other materials. Wrought iron combines perfectly with brick or stone pillars, sections made of corrugated sheets, and polycarbonate.
- Environmental friendliness and safety of raw materials.
- Forging never goes out of fashion.
- Metal does not require special care.
Disadvantages:
- High price. Making custom gates is very expensive. If you undertake such a design yourself, you can save up to 30% of the total cost.
- Long production time. The work of a blacksmith is painstaking. It takes from 2 weeks to 1 month to produce an exclusive item based on an individual project.
At the planning stage, it is important to immediately think about which elements you can make by hand, and which are better to buy ready-made.
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Characteristics of forged gates
The most important advantage of forged metal gates is that they combine two important qualities at once. Thanks to metal parts, they are durable and ensure safety. And the luxurious design immediately speaks of the owner’s impeccable taste and wealth.
Of course, if you decide to install wrought iron gates, then you should not forget about their high cost. But if you are a jack of all trades, you can make them yourself. The matter is extremely serious and not simple, but with a little training, you can do them for your own plot over a long period of time.
In addition to all this, every owner who wants to install forged structures should remember one more feature. They are quite heavy and require strong supports for installation. Even if you are only making a gate, it will have a lot of weight, which requires the strength of the fasteners.
In order to install wrought iron gates correctly, you need to make the correct calculations. They will help determine the choice of components.
For greater accuracy, think in advance what pattern will be forged on the gate. To do this, draw a sketch of the forged gate the way you want, or provide a photo to the master. If you do it yourself, you should also not neglect the accurate image of the gate.
Types of forging
Forging can be done in two ways: cold and hot.
Cold
The metal is treated with special equipment without being exposed to high temperatures. Cold forging is much cheaper than hot forging, since the parts are repeated and do not have complex patterns. Doors made using this method are sold in stores. They are simply welded to the finished frame.
The most popular cold forging parts:
- Vine. Simulates a plant trunk.
- Plasticine. Rods without edges, imitation of hand molding.
- Baroque. Combined option. The details have from 4 to 8 curls, complemented by sharp peaks and petals.
- Vine shoot. Metal rods are intertwined in a spiral.
- Monogram. A figurative element resembling a dollar symbol.
- Twisted pipe. An imitation of a braided braid is performed.
- Basket. Lightweight inserts made of several thin rods intertwined with each other.
Even on simple wrought iron gates there are:
- cast clamps;
- twisted squares;
- bagels;
- peaks.
Equipment for cold forging is inexpensive. If you wish, you can rent it and learn how to work with metal.
Hot (artistic)
This is how they worked with iron blanks back in the old days. Artistic forging differs from cold forging in that metal must be forged at high temperatures. Hot raw materials are more flexible. It is easier to design different openwork compositions and patterns from it.
It is artistic forging that allows you to create compositions that have no analogues. In terms of service life, they are many times longer than those made using the cold method.
The customer can provide a sample or sketch from which the blacksmith will create a design.
Hot forging requires precision and experience from the master, since metal overexposed to fire loses strength, becomes brittle and is considered defective.
The only negative is the high price.
You will learn about the technological processes of forging methods in the article: “Forged fences for a private home.”
Cold and hot forging, examples of cheap and expensive projects
Wrought iron gates are made in two ways:
- Hot forging. Such products are distinguished by originality and exclusivity. They are manufactured to individual designs by qualified blacksmiths. The master heats the metal to a high temperature and, using special tools and equipment, gives the metal the required shape. Such products are expensive projects.
Exclusive handmade forged gates. Photo by Alexandr & Sylvester
- Cold forging. In this case, the required shape is given to the metal in a cold state by deforming it. Such products are produced on a large scale in factories. They will not be distinguished by individuality, but they will delight their owners with high technical qualities and affordable cost.
What types of forged gates are there?
Purpose may be:
- arched;
- passing through the fence;
- closing the road;
- protecting entry and exit from the estate;
- decorative
According to the opening method, they can be swing, sliding, with a built-in or separate gate.
Swing
The most popular gate design. It is easy to install, so many owners try to assemble them themselves.
It consists of 1–2 doors, which are supported on a frame made of metal profiles, cladding material and fixed with hinges to the posts.
Due to the heavy weight, the hinges are not standard hinged ones, but reinforced bearing hinges.
The fittings used are a lock and a deadbolt. The doors open both inside and outside the yard. The gate can be built in or placed separately. Such gates are inexpensive, do not require maintenance, and last a long time.
Open manually. If desired, they are equipped with an automatic control system.
Detailed instructions for installing swing gates made of corrugated sheets.
Recoil
Suitable for small areas.
The principle of operation is to move the sash along the fence along a guide profile.
This way the car can drive as close as possible to the estate.
Sliding gates are popular not only for fencing in the private sector, but also for industrial enterprises, hangars, and workshops.
The components are the same as in the swing structure, with the exception of the presence of a sliding mechanism.
Several types of recoil system:
- rail;
- suspension;
- console.
These structures are convenient to automate and control remotely.
With built-in or free-standing gate
By design, forged gates are:
- Simple open. The door consists of straight or curved reinforcement bars. Decoration with decorative details in the form of petals and peaks is allowed. The space outside the entrance area is completely visible.
- Deaf. A steel or iron sheet is taken as a canvas and complemented with forging. The site becomes hidden from prying eyes.
- Combined. In this case, you will have to combine two materials. Forging serves as an auxiliary filler and is combined with wood, corrugated sheets, and polycarbonate.
If the gate is installed separately, the fence looks more solid. It is fixed near the gate or at a distance from it.
To save space, the gate is attached to the gate. But it is worth considering that in this case the door will have a small threshold at the bottom, which will increase the load on the supporting pillars.
Types of frames
The choice of gate frame largely determines its functionality. Many of them vary in operating time and endurance. The following types of gate frames exist:
- Aluminum. The main advantage of the design is lightness. This characteristic is necessary to create automatic gates. Aluminum frames are used only in conjunction with light cladding.
- With bolted connection. The frame is very easy to assemble, but not durable. The bolt locations are a vulnerable part of the structure.
- Welded. The design is considered the most durable and strong. However, it has a certain drawback - a lot of weight. This type of frame cannot be used for automatic gates.
Important! When constructing a frame made of wood, a beam with a cross-section of 10×10 cm is used. A rectangular or square pipe is used as the main material for the frame. Most often, a metal profile with a cross-section of 20×40 cm is used.
Elements for decoration: grapes, vine, roses
Depending on the material chosen for the forged gate and the filling method, decorative patterns and elements are selected . Forged gates of elite design are ordered less often, since the materials used for this and the complexity of execution are expensive. Often individual curls and petals are used for decoration.
It is distinguished by its massive design with the use of many small decorations , with high detail. Often the arrangement of patterns or individual repeating elements can be asymmetrical .
Gate, wicket and fence with grapes, vines and leaves. Photo Iron Age
Using a vine with leaves for decoration looks very natural. Such forged elements contribute to the impression that the gate is “alive”.
Important. Such ornaments are made by hand, since detailed detailing is extremely rarely achieved during factory forging.
The number of pattern options for decorating forged gates today appears to be more than a hundred variations. Each of these elements takes its history from a separate master of a certain time. Many styles use flowers and their petals. Such products are very difficult to make, but they look beautiful and fascinating .
Style and design
The entrance gate, gate, and fence are a kind of cover for the overall design of the site, the house located on it, and other structures. First of all, all elements of the fence must be combined with each other, and also correspond to the overall design of the fenced area and the existing objects on it. For clarity, let's look at a few of the most popular styles:
- Renaissance. Wickets and gates must contain ornamentation. The development of the pattern begins from the center. The main element of the design are spiral curls created from round rods that intersect with each other. Artistic forging seems weightless.
- Modern. When creating a composition, smooth lines are used, similar to the bending of plant stems. The basis of the ornamental design is a pattern of flowers. The fauna is represented by swans, eagles, and bats.
- Minimalism. The products have a strict appearance and the simplest form. There are practically no curls in them, but there are bends.
- Art Deco. The design looks expensive and natural. Stamped blanks cannot be used here. Each detail is exclusive, it must first be drawn.
- Romanesque. When decorating, fairy-tale scenes, plant and animal ornaments are used. Characteristic are symmetrical patterns and semicircular arches located above the entrance.
Manufacturing Features
The thickness of the material should not exceed 1 mm. The cross-section of the tetrahedron is approximately 12-14 mm, nothing more. Such parameters are considered optimal for an attractive appearance and the ability to carry out installation work independently.
Note! In order for the product manufacturing process to go well, you should determine the amount of material in advance.
It is important to calculate the material you need for all elements and add about 30%. This is the number of sheet metal that will be needed in further work.
Beautiful wrought iron gates consist of several elements. This is the frame part, which is basic; the rigidity and shape of the product depends on it. The set of metal elements makes up the installation part. This is what is needed to secure the posts and gates during the installation process.
One of the key elements is awnings. The mechanism can be opened and closed using a lock or latch.
Unique patterns and forging elements provide rigidity to the fence and give the product an original appearance. To protect against vibrations, owners should consider installing them on strong, reliable pillars.
Combinations with a gate, fence, door, gazebo
It is advisable to complement gates made of corrugated sheets with forged elements with a gate, fence, door, gazebo and other products designed in the same style. Also, forged lanterns and benches will look harmonious next to the gate.
Gates and wickets made of corrugated sheets with forging elements are made in the same style.
Spiral rods
The peak is mounted on a spiral tetrahedron. It's not difficult to make them yourself.
Cut a tetrahedron of a certain size. Place the vice on a workpiece with a width of 10 cm. Along the line where the spiral will begin, firmly clamp the tetrahedron in the vice. Use a vise to clamp the tetrahedron at the end of the spiral. By rotating the pattern vice along the axis of the tetrahedron, you create a spiral. Take the spiral out of the vice and straighten it.
Be sure to count the number of complete turns, otherwise your elements will be asymmetrical. One full turn is equal to one turn on the tetrahedron.
Fittings elements
The main elements of fittings can be divided into three groups - hinges, handles and bolts, metal frames.
Massive hinges improve not only reliability, but also the appearance of the product. The advantage would be to use large hinges that will attract attention and securely hold the gate.
Handles and bolts can serve both decorative and practical functions. The classic shape is round handles; they can be used not only for opening, but also for knocking on gates. Sometimes they are specially made massive and careless , with original coloring, in order to be as similar as possible to antique products. Handles of a standard shape can be made in an elaborate style, which will make them unique in their own way.
Metal framing , in addition to aesthetic load, usually also has an applied nature, performing the functions of stiffeners or giving the structure additional strength. Such gates will not stop fulfilling their main task even if the main door is damaged.
Reference. The use of forged elements does not lead to a significant increase in the cost of the gate. As a rule, the use of fittings made from a different material with similar technical characteristics is associated with the same level of costs.
Schemes and drawings
The valve diagram shows the location of all elements and their sizes. The consumption of materials and cost are indicated. The method of opening (inside or outside the yard) and the presence of automation are taken into account.
There are a huge number of options for decorative elements that are used in the production of forged sashes. Each owner makes a choice according to his own taste.
Gate covers, images
It is recommended to decorate forged gates:
- overlays;
- zhikovina;
- overhead loops.
Overlays for gates and doors are elements that have decorative qualities, practicality and serve as reinforcement for the structure. They give the product a strict and sophisticated appearance . The overlays are suitable for styles: country, gothic, baroque, modern.
Among the variety of overlays there are:
- specimens of trees and plants;
- compositions;
- geometric figures.
The use of overlays will give the main entrance to the courtyard an aesthetic appearance.
Wooden gates with forged gates and handles. Photos Svyatoslav
Zhikovinas give the products an antique elegance . They harmoniously combine with metal and wood , emphasizing the good taste of the owners of the estates. Forged gates can be decorative overlays, or they can carry loads if they also serve as gate hinges.
Overhead hinges for gates combine decorative and functional qualities . With sufficient thickness of the products, they cope well with their intended purpose. Curly hinges for gates will complement any exterior . And their wide range allows home garden owners to choose the best option that will be combined with a forged door handle and other fittings.
Reference. Photos of forged gates (how to send a photo) demonstrate designs made in accordance with cold processing technology, as well as other types of products.
Photo gallery of design styles
Below are photos of forged fences decorated in different design directions.
Modern
Smooth lines predominate. There is an asymmetrical pattern.
A characteristic feature is plant and animal motifs in the form of flower stems, images of eagles, swans.
The elements are simple and airy.
Loft
This style is characterized by a minimum of details, which are created with little artistic roughness, without additional polishing and achieving ideal forms. Often these include straight lines, sharp angles and contrasting colors.
Baroque
This is a solemn and majestic style. The gates are decorated with many spirals, curls or various ornaments. The pattern starts from the center, smoothly moving to the edges. The rods intersect each other, forming curls. The elements are created as airy. An excellent option for combining black, brown and gold colors.
Chalet
Chalet-style forging symbolizes rural culture, so the elements are selected as simple and noble as possible. The main thing is not to overdo it with quantity.
High tech
Modern design direction, restraint of lines and practicality of every detail.
Forging is combined with innovative materials (polymers, metal alloys). Forms are strict and businesslike. No pomposity or airiness. lack of plant and other ornaments.
Provence
Light romantic style. Painting is done in delicate light shades. Small floral motifs and plant stems that run through the entire door leaf are welcome here.
Gothic
Decoration is done in black and tones close to it. This is the geometry of the patterns. All details rush upward.
Typical Gothic elements are thorns, sharp tips, peaks, trefoils.
If the owners want their gate to be different from its neighbors, memorable and impressive with its originality, then choosing forged structures will be the right decision. With certain skills and tools, you can make simple malleable elements yourself. If you do not have such skills, then it is better to order the gate from specialists.
Installation and installation of gates
To assemble the elements into a single whole, a flat platform is required, the dimensions of which exceed the dimensions of the gate. The most commonly used space is the one designated for parking the car.
First, a frame is made with careful drawing of right angles. After this, the welding machine is started, and after the seams have cooled, the beads are cleaned off. The next step will be welding along the markings of the loops.
Installation of corrugated sheets
The profiled sheet is cut according to the drawing; burrs at the cut site are cleaned off. The fragments are laid overlapping, holes are drilled into them with a drill and fixed using self-tapping screws. Forged elements are used for spacers, but the beams can also be strengthened from the back - across or diagonally.
Post hole
To install gates made of corrugated sheets with forged elements, you must first install the pillars on which they will be hung. The depth of the supports into the ground is at least 1 meter. When the pits are ready, the pillars are cut, the height of which is the sum of the “underground” meter, 10 cm of space between the ground and the doors and the height of the gate itself.
Regular fence made of corrugated sheets
The supports are installed in pits, filled with crushed stone, which should be compacted, and filled with a solution of cement (M400 grade is suitable), crushed stone and sand in a ratio of 1: 2: 4. After the concrete has completely hardened (it will take about 3 days), you can begin hanging the sashes.
- The sash is installed vertically on a support of the required height, for example, on a brick. The location of the second part of the loops is marked. Be sure to check the strict verticality of the gate elements during measurements.
- The hinges are welded.
- The sashes are hung.
- Additional mechanisms are marked and installed: locks, latches, latches - whatever you consider necessary.
Additional mechanisms are marked and installed
The installation of the gate is carried out in the same way. Some craftsmen also complement it with a visor, which will protect those entering and leaving from rain and snow. If you want to get the most aesthetic appearance of the gate, the posts can be lined with brick or untreated stone. True, for this you need to have certain skills in working with a trowel and mortar.
Final appearance
If you do not have the time or desire to independently install gates made of corrugated sheets with forging elements, or are not confident in your abilities, you can order installation from professionals who will carry out the work quickly, efficiently and taking into account all your wishes. Of course, the craftsmen will have to pay, but protecting your home, and even being so beautiful, is worth some investment in it.
Material calculation
Selecting a sketch is the first and most mandatory step. You can find a ready-made one (photo, sketch from the Internet) or make it yourself. And only then buy the necessary material. This will save you from mistakes and incorrect calculations.
First we need the size of the opening. Divide the width by a factor of 1.60 and you will get the optimal height. For gates with a curved shape at the top, calculate the area at the top point of the bend.
You will find the cost of the material by multiplying the area and the cost of 1 m2 of the selected canvas.
A good pipe is a square profile. The material for the base rods should be thicker, and a square rod with a small cross-section is suitable for small curls, strips of 12x6 mm are suitable for baroque curls.
What types of gates are there?
If the gate serves mainly for the passage of a car, then a gate is necessary to organize the passage. Sometimes they refuse it, but, as practice shows, such a decision is irrational. To let someone in or out of the territory, you need to constantly open and close large gates, which is extremely inconvenient.
Gates can be of two types - built into the gate and free-standing (placed along the fence). The latter option is very popular, although it is more economically expensive; moreover, it allows you to save fence material if the area is small.
Located separately, they have their own advantages - they can be installed to any height and width without harming the practicality of the gate. Such designs are provided with mortise locks, which guarantees ease of use and a greater level of security. Gates are installed in small sizes, equipped with a bell or videophone, and a box for mail, although the latter nowadays serves more of a decorative function.
The working process
When you have purchased the required amount of material, you should start with the basics, the features of how to make such a product yourself.
Please note that metal elements increase in parameters after the main work is completed. This can be explained by the following steps. It is important to anneal the material, heat it to the required temperature, then cool it. After such manipulations, the material will be quite easy to work with; it becomes pliable in the hands of even a novice master.
To ensure that the pillars do not sag, it is worth installing not only metal elements, but also connecting them with facing bricks. In the latter case, it is important to pay attention to the pipe cover. The depth of the pit should not be less than 1 m.
The posts should be placed in a hole, then covered with crushed stone. When placing them, pay attention to perpendicularity. A discrepancy may result in the design looking “skewed.”
Cement mortar is used in proportion to 1 to 3. That is, one part cement and three parts sand, which is suitable for M300.
After compaction, check the evenness of the pillars. When the solution is completely dry, then you can lay out the brick.
Do-it-yourself cold forging: advantages of the method
Making wrought iron gates yourself allows you to save a lot of money. However, such a process requires special knowledge and skills in this area. It will be very difficult for a person who has not previously encountered forging to master the principles of the process and implement them on their own.
Helpful information! If it is quite problematic to completely make a forged gate with your own hands, you can save money by making individual parts. For example, some craftsmen perform some of the large elements themselves. After this, the dimensional metal products are assembled and supplemented with smaller, ready-made components.
To make forged figures yourself you need to purchase the necessary equipment
In order to carry out cold forming of gates, it is necessary to study the basic rules of operation. It is important to remember that after bending, metal rods acquire increased rigidity. Therefore, correcting an incorrect bend is much more difficult than making it again. To produce shaped elements, you need to purchase special equipment, and each part requires a separate device. Molding is carried out using devices such as a snail, a bend, etc. All work is carried out in accordance with the project.
The design of the future forged structure also includes stiffening ribs, their location and the distance between them. At the stage of organizing the plan, you should decide on the option for fixing the products and the place where the gate will be located. It is recommended to entrust the drawing up of a diagram of such a complex structure to specialists.
To form curls you will need a special device called a snail
DIY designs certainly save money, but their production requires a lot of time and effort. If you decide to make such a product yourself, then the best option in this case would be to combine factory parts with gate elements yourself. Photos that show the processes of completing individual components for the fence will help you do this work correctly.
If you are not confident in your own abilities, then you should not experiment. It is best to order a wrought iron gate in such a situation. And you can save on their installation by completing all installation steps yourself.
If making the entire gate with your own hands is problematic, you can make some elements
Do-it-yourself hot forging: features of the method
Hot forging differs from the cold method. To perform it, you need to have professional equipment, which is not cheap. Thus, this method is not preferable when producing gates yourself. However, you can use other devices to heat metal rods. For example, welding equipment would be a suitable option in this case. In any case, all work must be carried out according to the sketch of the forged gate.
A cheap way to heat metal rods to the desired temperature is a gas burner (household). This method is used for rods whose diameter does not exceed 14 mm. Larger metal products require a different approach. At home, a rail is used as an anvil for forging metal. It must be turned over, since the lower platform is wider, which means it will be more convenient to work on it.
To perform hot forging you will need professional tools
Note! The time it takes to make a forged gate with your own hands depends entirely on the complexity of the project. For example, simple variants may take no more than one day to produce. Complex structures, consisting of a large number of small parts, are produced from one week to several months.
To add design aesthetics, you can purchase decorative fittings. Many manufacturers produce individual elements that decorate fences and gates. Among them are hinges, locking devices, latches and figured products.
Depending on the complexity of the work, the production of one design can take from one day to several months
To make your own gate from scratch, you will need to purchase some equipment. At home, the cold forging method is more preferable. For the hot method, you must have a burner. Thus, when making your own gates containing forging elements, you should focus on your personal capabilities.
Curly sashes
Elements should be laid out on a flat surface. Over 2 meters is best. The building level is useful for obtaining a plane.
As you can see in the photo of the forged gate, a post is cut out of the profile on the top part. Place the part on the welding table, making sure the corner parts are equal.
Note! To obtain the correct shapes, it is necessary to pay attention to measuring the diagonal before starting welding work. Craftsmen use nylon thread for these purposes.
Openwork bottom of corrugated board
Owners of purebred dogs know how important it is for a shaggy guard to see what is happening outside the yard. You have to raise the profiled sheet by 200–250 mm. A person cannot fit into such a gap, but small animals penetrate easily.
Option from corrugated sheets
The lower part of the fence made of corrugated sheets is reinforced with forged ornaments. It is usually simple and consists of a series of circles between 2 profiles or rods. A durable decorative grille solves the issue of visibility for the dog and makes the lower part of the sash more rigid than a metal profile.
How to assemble an ornament from parts
Since my plans included making only gates, I did not purchase machines, but purchased some of the cold forging patterns ready-made, and ordered the central elements from the master. To assemble the patterns into a finished structure, I used welding and folding (twisting adjacent edges). There are other assembly methods: the parts are connected by chasing (pressing into each other) or by forming a double bend.
The joints were then further reinforced with staples. When the main ornament was assembled, I welded small decorative details (leaves, flowers) and cleaned the finished forging. When all the parts were welded to each other, all that remained was to weld them to the gate frame.
Source ytimg.com
About making artistic forging patterns in the following video:
Briefly about the main thing
Forged patterns turn any gate into an openwork, memorable design. Cold forging products are more common, as they are more affordable and easier to manufacture. A sketch for an ornament made of forged elements can be found on the Internet, and the design itself is easy to assemble with your own hands. The product is assembled from individual parts by welding, folding or caulking. After having graceful metal curves on my gate, I started thinking about similar additions to my garden gazebo.
Question
Write in the comments what you think - should I use bolts and nuts instead of welding?
