Gates by Peter Weldon.
Your questions answered.

What gate designs can I choose?
I have many designs that have been successful in the past, some of these are illustrated on the website. You may have a gate that needs to be copied, or you may have a photo from an old book. We can make accurate copies of virtually any period gate design. I can work closely with you to make sure you get exactly the sort of design you are looking for.

Are they solid or hollow?
Unless specified by the customer, I manufacture in two weights- standard or heavyweight.

Typically the standard weight option is made from some solid section (for example the bottom horizontal and outside frames are always solid) and some hollow section of 3mm steel. Although there are no points of entry for water penetration all hollow sections are vented at the bottom to allow water run out should any get into the design.

The heavyweight option has more solid section within the construction, but there may still be hollow areas because the outside size of the section is important too. For example a long length of 50mm by 50mm in solid steel would be so heavy it would cause difficulties with transport and handling, and so often it is best to make large components from flat sections welded together.

What is the weight of the gates?
Each design varies considerably, but an example of the weight of a relatively small 12ft by 7ft gate is-

Standard weight 80kg per leaf

Heavyweight 150kg per leaf.

Typically a heavyweight version of each design increases in price by around 30%

Specialist designs can weigh around 500kgs per leaf.

How are they made?
We use both electric welding and hot forge work and the method of manufacture depends upon the design and the requirements of the customer. Our most expensive and beautiful gates are made from solid materials secured with collars and rivets. The vertical bars are dropped through holes punched through the horizontal sections and the gate is assembled in a manner similar to joinery. Special details can be made in cast iron or lost wax bronze and we have the facility to electro-plate metals in silver and chrome.

Can the gates be galvanised?
Yes, all my steel designs can be hot zinc galvanised for complete peace of mind. If you require your design to be galvanised please ask at point of order. I don’t plastic coat my gates because I find it to be a most unattractive finish suitable for modern items such as motor parts.

The Paintwork.
My designs arrive in a primer undercoat and I re-spray each gate with European paint. I use a very high quality industrial coating –‘Lechler’ that will provide many years of good quality finish. For a special job I will re-spray in zinc phosphate primer, and then at least three coats of paint. Sometimes customers specify an extra thick coating of paint to replicate an antique finish.

What sort of maintenance is required?
This differs depending upon the paint colour you have chosen. Lighter colours will need more maintenance than darker colours. Periodically you may wish to touch up the paintwork and grease the hinges.

What are the hinges like?
Our hinges appear to be the same as the originals. Almost all the designs have one hinge fixed three quarters of the height up the outside frame and one floor mounted hinge at the underside of the outside frame. The uppermost hinge simply holds the gate upright and prevents it from moving back and forth, or dropping away from the pier. This hinge has a plate with four bolt holes that sits flat against the pier. The lower hinge bears all the weight and has foundation steel angle beneath for it to be concreted into the ground. This is the traditional manner of hanging gates and prevents all the weight pulling the gate piers over. It is under the lowest hinge that below ground automation motors are fitted.

How are they delivered?
They can be delivered by myself on the back of our truck or trailer. I also use a reliable haulage company ‘Stan Robinsons’ of Stafford.

What about automation?
In order to simplify the installation and automation process we now supply gates with the automation motors fitted beneath. We can also email a video of your gates being automated in a factory setting before they are dispatched. A basic system is supplied and we favour the CAME equipment supplier. After the gates have been installed it is not difficult to have a skilled electrician complete the work. If however, there are special requirements to your job the area CAME rep will supply and fit additional equipment such as video entry, additional keypads etc. Please visit: gateinstaller.co.uk Also visit home-iq.co.uk who are specialists in Gate Automation, Automating existing gates, Timber gates and Vintage gates, Including swing Gates and Sliding Gates. Chris and Carl from ‘home-iq’ work in partnership with Peter Weldon Iron Designs and automate our ironwork throughout the country.

What about the installation?
I can install the ironwork for you or you may wish to find a builder, or install the gates yourself. I prefer to design, manufacture and supply because any good builder can erect the gates and I am not really needed for that. However, if you have a tricky job which may require some cutting and welding you may be happier if I install the ironwork. Often I can design gate, motors and piers together with foundation steelwork in a complete assembly so that they can be lowered into a trench ready for concrete. This guarantees perfect alignment.

How much do they cost?
Please email for a price list. If you have a special job a price has to be calculated specific to you.

An example of our 19th Century Black-Smiths gates installed with Automation.