Summary
Gatehouses are typically small structures, usually built near the entrance of an estate or with access to an important route. They were often used as toll stations for travelers entering and exiting estates. .A gatehouse is a small building next to a gate or an entrance to a property. Gatehouses are typically small structures, usually built near the entrance of an estate or with access to an important route. They were often used as toll stations for travelers entering and exiting estates.
Gatehouses are buildings that are attached to the main building and are used for security purposes. They can also be used for other purposes such as housing, training, or storage.
Gatehouses have been in existence for a long time. The first gatehouse was built by Louis XIII of France in 1635.
Types
Entry Gatehouse: The first type is called an “entry gatehouse” and it is always found in front of the main gate to a castle or town.
Side Gatehouse: The second type is called a “side gatehouse” and it can be found on both sides of the main gateway.
Sally-Gatehouse: The third type is called a “sally-gate”. This type can only be found on the outermost parts of the walls, and they are used for two purposes: either acting as an additional point from which to attack an enemy with missiles, or as one final line of defense against intruders who have made it past all other defenses.
Secondary Gatehouse: The gatehouse on this side of the main gateway is often called a ‘secondary gateway’ as it is not considered part of the main defensive system.
Costs
The cost of building a gatehouse depends on the size, complexity, and other factors. Some of the factors that affect the cost are:
- The amount of property that needs to be protected
- The level of security required
- The type of access control needed (e.g. card readers, biometric scanners)
- What kind of gates are needed (e.g. swing gates, sliding gates)
Materials
The materials used to build gatehouses are:
- Wood, usually oak
- Stone
- Earth and clay
- Lime or cement mortar
- Iron and nails
- Plaster
- Stone flags
- Lead
- Brick, rammed earth, stone, or concrete wall
