Automatic Electric Gates are great for so many reasons; they’re good for increasing the security around your property but they also help to save space – giving you extra room for maneuvering.

Long gone are the days when you have to get out of your car in wet weather to open the gates to get in and out of your property. When you have electric gates there is no faffing about – just a simple press of a button.

If you are less mobile then electric gates are the perfect solution too – much easier for you to operate and no need for manual handling.

So when it comes to choosing the right automatic electric gate for your property, there are certain things you should consider.

 

How will your electric gates be used?

If your gates are in heavy use, i.e. commercial use, you need to consider the type of motor you have fitted. A commercial gate is often in constant use and needs to be fitted according to its proposed use.

Your budget

Automatic Electric Gates can be expensive but they sure are worth it. It’s important to know what you want from the start and working with a reputable electric gate manufacturer will help you to get exactly what you want. 

The law

You might be surprised to learn that there are some rules and regulations about electric gates. Things such as minimum clearance, electrics and testing all need to be considered. By working with an approved electric gate installer they will be fully trained in this area and understand the rules and regulations surrounding fitting gates.

Access

Consider the type of access you need into your property. Can people get in and out of your property with the style of gates you want to choose?

Design

Obviously when choosing an electric gate, your priority will be how it looks. What type will you choose and what is best suited to its environment? There are a number of styles and materials to choose from.

 

Using professionals

When having electric gates installed it’s so important to ensure that your gates are fitted correctly and properly – if not, you could experience a whole manner of problems. This is why we recommend that you only use an approved gate installer.

If you’re looking to have automatic electric gates installed, we go through the design process thoroughly and carry out an assessment prior to any work commencing. We’ve been doing this job now for over 20 years so we know what we’re doing and can advise on any questions you may have.

Do get in touch with us if you would like to find out more.

Whilst our automatic electric gates are built to last, like everything – they still need a little TLC every now and then to keep them ticking over.

 

Avoid costly repairs and breakdown callouts

Just like a car, electric gates consist of many moving parts and from time to time, they need a bit of care and attention to keep them at their best.

Having your gates serviced will catch any signs of wear, restore any worn parts and detect any problems before they arise.

As well as your moving parts, things such as batteries in edge transmitters and wireless photocells sometimes need replacing after a few years.

 

Expand the lifespan of your equipment

In addition to the electric parts on your gates, the gates themselves will be checked as part of your service. The gates need to be greased regularly to ensure that they are running well and of course must be running free of any obstructions. If the hinges aren’t greased or the gates aren’t free running, the motors will have to work harder to operate the gates, and inevitably, will wear out faster.

 

Check that they are safe and conform to safety standards

As we are registered with Gatesafe, which is an organisation committed to improving the safety of automated gates and barriers – their guidance is constantly evolving. Whilst your gates will have been fitted to conform to these standards originally, some elements of your gates may no longer conform to these standards and may need updating to ensure maximum safety.

 

What is included in an automatic gate service?

Part of the servicing includes clearing any debris, greasing any moving parts, ensuring any toothed racking is in good condition and clearing out of underground boxes. This is all done to ensure you benefit from the full lifespan of your electric gate.

 

How often should your gates be serviced?

Dependent on the type of gate you have, one service per year should be sufficient. If you have a high amount of traffic such as an apartment block it would be beneficial to have your gate serviced more frequently.

 

Need to know more? Please give us a shout to discuss servicing your automatic gate – we are more than happy to help.

When it comes to choosing an automatic gate for your home, deciding which is right for your home is crucial. Luckily, we’re on hand to advise, after all, we’ve been in the business longer than you can imagine!

Automatic gates can be manufactured in a variety of materials in a wide range of styles and colours – there is always something to suit the style of your home and your taste.

 

We have listed the styles of automatic gates and their suitability below:

Automatic swing gates:

The popular swing gates do as they describe – swing open. Bear in mind that they need plenty of space inside the gate to open and close.

Sliding automatic gates:

These types of gates slide to the side of the gate entrance. Don’t forget that the side area should be longer than the full width of the gate. These types of gates run on a track across the driveway entrance and should be regularly kept clear of any debris.

Cantilever-sliding gates:

The cantilever-sliding gate is an alternative to a standard sliding gate. Whilst they operate in a similar way, they don’t run on tracks. This type of gate is useful for wider openings and industrial use.

 

Motors for automatic gates:

The motors for the gates can vary on the type of gate you choose, the material and the surroundings.

 

With a swing gate, the motor is often fixed to the pillars or posts of the actual gates and sometimes underneath the gate hinge.

 

Sliding gates usually have a motor connected to a rack. A turning gear within the motor moves the gate. The size of the motor is dependent on the length and weight of the gate.

 

We are able to advise the correct motor for your gate per application.

 

Need help?

If you are unsure of what type of gate you need for your home or workplace, do get in touch with us. Our friendly and experienced team are on hand to guide you through the process and recommend the best fit for you and your home. Do give us a call on 01484 351748.

 

 

When considering an automatic gate for your property, you should always weigh up the pros and cons (if any) of investing in one. Here we explore the benefits of automatic gates and which of the benefits outweigh those of manual gates.

 

Security

Automatic gates provide foolproof security, only allowing people that you wish to enter. Access through the gates can only be gained through a designated security system, which can include remote control, passcode, through your mobile or swiping a card.

Manual gates are much easier for unauthorized people to gain access – all they need to do is unlock or unlatch the gate.

 

Convenience

These days, we all lead busy lives. We’re often rushing to our next meeting or lunch date and having that extra few minutes to travel safely to your destination really does make a difference.

If you had a manual gate you have to get out to open the gate, get in the car, drive through the gate, get out again and close it – that’s all before you can set off! Oh and we didn’t mention the weather whilst you are doing this, if you’re caught up in a heavy downpour it doesn’t help either.

The benefit of an automatic gate means your gates open and close on command, which can either be through the remote key, entering your passcode, face command or swiping your security card.

 

Property value

Having automatic gates installed in your property not only makes your property more desirable for aesthetic and security purposes, it also adds value.

 

Privacy

Whilst a manual gate provides a level of privacy, an automatic gate steps your privacy up a level. Automatic gates prevent those unwanted knocks at the door by door-to-door salesmen as they need your permission to gain access.

 

Aesthetics

Choosing an automatic gate really does set off the style and appearance of your property. With such a wide variety of materials and styles to suit the style of your property – the choices are endless.

 

Get in touch to discuss options for designing your new gates or should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to ask.