Gates and roller shutters: how to order with fitting at a good price
Which type of gate suits you
Sectional gates save space in front of a garage and insulate well. Sliding gates need a free wall beside the opening, about the width of the opening plus a little. Swing gates are the simplest, but need space in front of the entrance. Roller gates are compact but less insulated. Security shutters go on windows and doors and protect against break-ins and sun. Start by working out how much free space there is around the opening.
Automation and infill
The motor is chosen for the weight and size of the leaf, so the opening size matters. Ask how many remotes come in the set, whether there is a manual release for power cuts, and whether the motor works in extreme heat or cold. Infill comes in many kinds: sandwich panel, profiled sheet, wood, wrought iron, aluminium profile for shutters. Profiled sheet is cheaper, sandwich is better insulated, and wrought iron is costlier and depends on the pattern.
What to put in your request
- What you need — sectional, sliding, swing or roller gates, shutters or a boom barrier.
- Opening size — width and height, for example 4 × 2 m; for shutters, the size of each window.
- Automation — motor, number of remotes, manual control.
- Material and infill — profiled sheet, sandwich, wood, wrought iron.
- Quantity — how many gates, or shutters for windows and doors.
- Colour — a RAL code, for example 8017, or a wood look.
- Measuring and fitting — needed or not, and whether to remove the old ones.
- Address, timing and budget.
Example: “I need 4 × 2 m sliding gates of profiled sheet, RAL 8017, with a motor and two remotes, plus a small gate. I need measuring and fitting. Toronto, preferably by the end of the month. Budget up to $1,200.”
Why it is better to collect offers here
Gates are made for a specific opening, so you often can't see a price in a shop and have to phone several companies. On BlaBlaPrice you describe everything in one request, and makers and installers in your area answer in the chat: what exactly they offer, the price or what it depends on, production time and warranty. Each seller sees where their offer ranks and what the ones above give, so they often improve their terms. BlaBlaPrice shows the best offer first, and the seller's reviews are next to it. Contacts stay hidden until you choose a contractor. More in how it works.
How to compare, and what to avoid
Compare offers for the same opening, material and motor. Ask whether the price includes posts, the foundation for sliding gates, the small gate, painting and delivery. Check the metal thickness and the coating of the sheet: it decides how long the paint will last. For shutters, find out the profile type, the cover box and the manual control. A typical mistake is measuring the opening before renovation work that later changes its size. It is better to have a fitter take the measurements.
For the frame and posts you often need steel products, and for fixing — fasteners. Another related topic is windows, doors and glass.
