To make your electric gate more private, you can use shade cloth, which is significantly affordable and easy to use, or black anodized steel, which is more costly, but also solid and aesthetically pleasing.
There are a variety of other options like bark screen fencing, perforated aluminum plates, privacy fence mesh, and many more which will give you the privacy you need while maintaining some beauty and aesthetic appeal.
Take note, however, that not all of these options would be an ideal match for your gate. You need a method that does not block the wind, overburden your electric gate motor or overload the mounting brackets.
Here are 7 ways to make your electric gate more private while keeping it safe, and operational.
1. Attach Some Shade Cloth
Shade cloth is inexpensive and practical, which makes it an affordable option if you are looking to make your gate more private. Garden shade cloth is the ideal shade cloth to use. It comes in the form of a mesh that allows wind through, and is convenient for a peaceful atmosphere.
Here’s how you can use shade cloth to make your electric gate more private:
- Secure it tautly using clips, zip ties, or bungee cords
-
Ensure it doesn't interfere with the gate's operation.
If you are using a zip tie to make your electric gate more private, follow these zip tie installation tips from an expert:
- Thread the zip tie through the shade cloth and mount it to one side of the gate.
- Use a gap of 150mm per zip tie so that you get uniform tension around the gate.
- You can then cut up zip ties off with no damage to the gate.
2. Seal the Gate with Bark Screen Fencing
Bark Screen is an organic structure that allows air to pass through, minimizes wind damage, and has a long lifespan of about 15 years. Using bark screen on your gate not only gives you the utmost privacy, but can also block your pets and keep them calm.
Here’s how you use bark screen to keep your electric gate more private.
- Align the bark panels against the posts of the electric gate.
- Use screws or nails to secure the bark to the posts.
- Make sure the panels overlap slightly to cover gaps.
3. Use Anodized Steel Mesh
Anodized steel mesh is costly, but equally effective at making your electric gate more private. The steel mesh is solid, durable, and better for aesthetics than shade cloth.
In addition to giving privacy to your electric gate, it adds a touch of class and beauty, and is compatible with most kinds of driveway gates.
Tips for Using Anodized Steel Mesh
There are no downsides to using anodized steel mesh to make your electric gate more private, as long as your gate opener and mounting brackets can support the extra weight.
- Anodized steel mesh is heavyweight material, so ensure the additional weight does not exceed the weight capacity of your gate opener.
- Consider enforcing the mounting brackets to handle the additional weight of anodized steel
4. Use Perforated Aluminum Plate
Perforate aluminum plate is lightweight and an excellent material to add to your electric gate to give it more privacy. Compared to anodized steel, it is more lightweight, but equally aesthetically pleasing.
Here’s why you might want to use aluminum plate:
- You can customize the sheets to fit the specific size of your gate
- It adds some weight to the gate compared to anodized steel.
- The only downside might be that it is more expensive. If you can afford it, it is perfect.
5. Install Privacy Fence Mesh
With privacy fence mesh, you can transform your electric gate into a mini-privacy fence. Privacy fence mesh is incredibly effective at keeping prying eyes out, and protects against wind and dust.
It is typically used for larger applications, but if your home has a heavyweight gate, privacy mesh would do nicely.
- It can last for about 10 years (depending on what material you choose and how well you take care of it).
- It is cheaper than bark screen, but equally (if not more) effective.
6. Use Wood
To give your electric gate a measure of privacy, you can also use plywood or wood sheets. Wood is a low-end option when it comes to privacy and it may not last as long as a privacy fence mesh or bark screen, but it is effective, available, and affordable.
Follow these guidelines:
- Screw on some fence palings on it
- Paint to match the color of your gate.
7. Grow Some Climbers
If your electric gate is small (such as a single swing gate opener below 900lbs) , grow some climbers, use plywood, or shade cloth for privacy.
For a bigger gate like a double swing gate opener weighing more than 1100 lbs, consider privacy fence mesh, perforated aluminum plate, anodized steel mesh or bark screen fencing.
If you want a cheaper option, used shade cloth, wood.
For more expensive and aesthetically pleasing options, use anodized steel mesh, perforated aluminum plates or bark screen.
2 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Your Electric Gate More Private
1. Beware of Wind Loading
Beware of wind loading. Make sure you use a material that gives some obscurity, but does not block the wind from going through.
Think of the sail on the ship: if the wind gets caught, it could cause damage or extra stress on the motor (For context, see what happened at this State Festival in Indiana)
2. Do not Overload the Motor
Also, beware of overloading the motor of the electric gate. Every electric gate opener has a maximum weight capacity.
Lightweight single-swing gate openers like this W1 Single Swing Gate Opener can typically support gates up to 900 lbs.
Heavyweight double-swing gate openers like the W2 Pro Heavy Dual Swing Gate Opener can support gates up to 1100 lbs and more.
Using heavy material for privacy on any of these gate openers might add extra stress on the gate opener and lead to performance issues.
3. Consider the Strength of Your Mounting Brackets
Consider the strength of your mounting brackets. If the gate becomes too heavy after you add the material onto it, the brackets might collapse after some time.
Consider using lightweight material like shade cloth or, if you must use heavier materials, enforce your mounting brackets first.
