Creating that Perfect Gated Entrance Design!

  Where to start? The first thing to consider when coming up with a new entrance design is the location. If it is a new property you may have many options, although Convenience is one of the most important things to consider. You don’t want to have to make a “U-Turn” to get into your property, you also have to consider who/what will be coming through that entrance...guests, contractors, builders, cement trucks, semi trucks, all will need the Room to enter your property safely. For existing properties the choices can be limited, but that does not mean you have to have an ugly entrance.
  You have the perfect location, now what? Unless you are a contractor or designer, it is best to let a professional do the design work for you. We have always been able to come up with exciting Entrance Designs to almost any property. Through careful planning, consultations and insight, a beautiful entrance can be designed for your property.
  Another important consideration for your entrance is the distance from the “turn off” road.  All counties will have a minimum “set back” requirement for any gates, fences, stone work, lighting, etc. Be sure to check with the local building department on what their required set backs are (typically the minimum set back is 35-40 feet from the center of the road). If you plan on having an Entry Gate and if it is at all possible, keep the entrance at least 70-80 feet from the turn-off road. This will allow for most vehicles to pull completely off the road while waiting for the Gate to open. Keep the “Flair”, (where your drive meets the turn-off road) as wide as possible. This will help to keep your guests/visitors from clipping your landscaping, stone work, lights, mail boxes, etc. as they turn into your property.
  So now you have your location, your basic design/layout, it’s time to consider the Entry Gate. The Entry Gate should enhance your property while also serving it’s main purpose, Security. The Gate design is very important to the Feel of the entrance, and along with the Columns and Lighting should be incorporated into the Entrance Design. Your Entry Gate should be welcoming, interesting and the centerpiece of your entrance. Your Entrance can tie in with the surrounding landscape or it can stand out from the crowd! It is Very Important that you use a Professional Gate Builder/Installer for your gate. You want the best gate operators that you can afford. The last thing you want is to have to manually open your gate in the pouring rain, you will be soaked by the time you get it open! We use only top of the line gate operators and safety devices to try to eliminate down time and maintenance.
  Landscaping is next. The plants you choose should all be “zoned” for your specific location. Are you going to have irrigation? If not it is vital that you choose plants that are hardy and native to your area. You can typically expect a 5%-10% loss of plants for a non-irrigated landscape (assuming there is not a drought), so plan on replacing a couple of plants. Use plenty of mulch, 4”-6” around the plants, this will help with retaining water.
  Enjoy your Entrance! The above is a very compacted Entrance Design plan of attack, but will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Thomas Elfers is a professional Fabricator/Designer working with clients from all over the country. We build Custom Wrought Iron Gates and build complete Entrances for home owners and developments. We also create Iron Furniture, Sculptures, Fire screens, and many other Iron Works. Our company specializes in complete entrance design and construction. We are a full service company that provides Custom Wrought Iron Gates, Full Automation, Electrical and Lighting, Block and Stone work, Landscaping, Monument and Street Signs. We pride ourselves on quality craftsmanship and exceptional service, come see us at http://www.ornametals1.com

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Are you Living to Dream, or Dreaming to Live?

  So many people spend their lives wanting to “Live their Dream," and yet they do nothing to move toward that. Our lives are what we make of them. Sure we have some things that have gotten in the way, some things that have turned us down the wrong path, but these “Things” are just that, things. There really is nothing that makes us do what we do, that makes us think what we think, these are choices that we make in order to stay where we are comfortable, even if that comfortable place is not what you want. The truth is, it is what you want, or you would not be there! I know, you’re thinking, yeah right, I want this bad relationship, or this awful job, or horrible life, well... is someone making you stay in the bad relationship? Is someone making you work at that awful job? Is someone making you have that horrible life...YES someone is, and it’s You!
  You are the only one that controls your life. You are the one that decides to stay in that bad relationship, keep that awful job, and to have a horrible life. These are all choices that you have made. You are also the only one that can change, that can make different choices, that can have what you really want. It is just as easy to make a good choice as it is to make a bad one. So why do people keep making bad choices? Habit! They are “Used to it," it’s what they have been doing all their life. But as we all know, we can change these habits, we can break the chains of bad decisions.
  The choice to have a better life is an easy one. The decision to be happy, to live your dream, or to do the things you always wanted to do is very empowering! And it is a decision, a choice that you have to make, one way or another you are going to make that choice. So why not make the choice to be happy, to live your dreams and do the things you want to do. Make it a NEW habit to choose wisely, to be happier and to have the things you have always wanted. It is just a matter of Choice!
   Sounds easy enough, right! It is as easy as you think it is, and it is as hard as you think it is. This is another choice, choose to make it easy and it will be. There are some things you need to do to live your dream, to have a happier life and to get the things you want. This is probably one of the most important things that you can do to achieve what you want. They are simple things, like writing down what you want, set goals for when you want them. Post this where you can read it every day, or even better, carry it with you so you can read it several times a day. It is also important that you BELIEVE what you have written. You must see yourself achieving these goals, believe that you can and you will!
  This is just one step toward having a better life, but it is amazing how well it works! It works every time for everyone, no exceptions. Think about what you want, and you will have what you think about.

Thomas Elfers is a professional Fabricator/Designer working with clients from all over the country. We build Custom Wrought Iron Gates and build complete Entrances for home owners and developments. We also create Iron Furniture, Sculptures, Fire screens, and many other Iron Works. Our company specializes in complete entrance design and construction. We are a full service company that provides Custom Wrought Iron Gates, Full Automation, Electrical and Lighting, Block and Stone work, Landscaping, Monument and Street Signs. We pride ourselves on quality craftsmanship and exceptional service, come see us at http://www.ornametals1.com