South Entrance

More old stone columns, with the gate supported by new steel posts hidden behind the columns. With gates such as both the west and south entries, where the main residence is far beyond the visible scope of approaching visitors, Call-Boxes are utilized. These are either on a stand 7-10 feet streetside for in-swinging gates to allow access from a car window. Or they are mounted to a column and must be approached on foot. Either way, the purpose is to allow your visitors to announce themselves and with the gate automation wired to the house, the gate can be released. To avoid the expense of trenching wiring to the house, folks will often opt for a keypad access, mounted to the columns and allowing known visitors to enter a code for access (including the fire dept).

The simplest, most affordable means of automation access is to have the motors configured to your cell phone, which will work in place of a simple remote. This same code can also be configured for the garage doors, eliminating a slew of remotes stashed in the glove compartment.

At the south gate we look at the CPW Gate Column wrapping a 6x6 steel post separating the Driveway Gate from the Pedestrian Gate.

In such examples, where the driveway gate is supported by the needed steel post, the post can be left exposed, or painted to match the gates, or wrapped with a CPW Column. Wrapping a steel post on site by an installer using 1x material and butt joints will almost always cup and check, as this solution is not designed to allow the wood to expand and contract. Hence the CPW Columns are built with the same methods as the gates. On the left we see the call-box/keypad mounted to the CPW column. We also can see the exposed steel frame required by CPW when overall widths are beyond 12' and also required for Florida hurricane code. The steel frame will eventually be painted to match the gates.