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Gate and Security Metal
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For the most part getting a metal gate and metal security fencing made and installed is a pretty simple process. Make a trip to a few different metal shops to get bids. They will come out and measure the area before giving the bid. As far as the style, they have books with hundreds of different styles to choose from. From ornate to simple, it is just a matter of picking out the design. The simpler designs save on labor time and can be just as attractive. As I describe in the cool gate write up, in my particular case I had day laborers on-hand who were skilled in metal work and could do the job. If you find yourself in this situation realize that normally in this type of case the gate and metal security fencing cannot be very ornate. There will be limitations on bending metals and shaping design work. In the stated case all materials needing to be specially shaped were purchased from a shop who sold prefabricated designs.
As far as cost and style, the most basic decision is whether to go stainless or not. Stainless is better quality and will not rust. Except for the detail highlights stainless isn't painted, so there is no paint to wear off. The downside is that stainless is very expensive, probably at least twice the cost of using regular metal. Not only that, on less than large luxury houses I don't think it looks that good, being that it is kind of pretentious and gaudy looking. Besides, if regular metal is properly primed and painted, rust is not that much of a problem.
The most critical part of the gate, in my estimation, is the wheels. I've been in rental houses with the cheap 1" wheels, and they are produced to last about 6 months. After that the bearings start to go, and it is a painful ordeal to open the gate. If you going to the trouble to put it together, use good wheels. The really good wheels are made from stainless and are difficult to find in and around Pattaya. I bought the ones in this example on Theppasit road, and paid a really inflated rip-off price. Then later I saw good quality 3" stainless wheels at Homepro for under 400 Baht each, less than 1/2 what I paid.
13 files, last one added on Sep 28, 2011 Album viewed 44 times
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Last additions - Other |
The front gutter system. (15-Aug-04)dozerSep 28, 2011
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The rear gutter and down spout.(13-Aug-04)dozerSep 28, 2011
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Added the final gutter on top of the patio. (23-Jun-04)dozerSep 28, 2011
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Interconnected gutters. (19-Jun-04)dozerSep 28, 2011
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Random files - Other |
Communal Wells: This is an example of a communal well. Everyone in the immediate area is serviced by this well and water tower. As of the time of this picture, there was basically no water service 23 hours a day each and every day. Most everyone was trying to sell their house or townhouse in the area, makes you wonder if it is possible to sell a house with no water? (19-Apr-04)dozer
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To add strength the blocks are cemented in place prior to pouring the supporting posts. The posts will be poured 'around' the blocks. Standard sizes for facing walls is 4 blocks high, the back sides are 7 blocks high. (24-Jan-04) dozer
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Notice the addition of chicken wire to the lower portion of the fence. (24-Jun-04)dozer
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Water Valve: The electric water valve is controlled by 2 floats which control the 'shut' and 'open' valve positions. (19-Aug-04)dozer
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Here is a shot in the tank after the problem was fixed. Notice how clear the water is now. (19-Aug-04) dozer
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Surface Well Problems: The side of the well needs to be filled in with small stones, to prevent air and water pockets forming outside the well. (12-Jul-04)dozer
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Another example. (01-Jan-04)dozer
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Roller mechanism for the gate. There is one metal roller on the outside and one on the inside of the upside down 'U' piece of metal. Metal rollers, even though subject to rust, are better than the plastic ones which wear out quickly. (29-Jul-04)dozer
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