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Automatic electric gates are becoming more and more popular every day. They are a status symbol and they add some security to your home. They also keep children and pets out of harm’s way by preventing them from running into busy roads.
But while automatic gates are great, starting from scratch can leave you with a lot of questions. There is a huge range of gate automation and access control kits, systems and components from a wide range of manufacturers. And then you have to find the right gate automation engineer.
So how do you choose what sort of gates and automation you want? How do you find the right installer of electric gates? And how do you know your new gates are safe?
It may seem like a minefield of possibilities and decisions, so here are our ten key gate automation questions for you to ask before jumping in.
In many homes, automatic gates are only used a few times each day. They will be operated in the morning as the family goes to work or school, and then later that day when they all return home. There needs to be a way to deal with deliveries during the day, but electric gates may not be used much most weekdays outside early morning and evening.
Automatic gates controlling access to commercial environments may be used much more frequently. Consequently, different gate motors capable of dealing with a higher usage cycle would be specified by a qualified gate installer.
For most homeowners, electric gates are not heavy wrought iron or solid, thick hardwood gates and usage cycles are low. A good installer’s choice of lower power gate motors will reflect this. However, they should also warn you that automatic gates can be dangerous if used incorrectly. They should carry out a safety audit to identify and eliminate possible danger areas in their design of gate automation systems. And any competent gate engineers will also provide education for the new owners about how to use their automatic gates safely.
Part of the use of a gate automation system involves how access through the electric gates is controlled. There are usually five places that this can happen depending on who wants to gain access and who grants it.
Firstly, anyone who lives in the property who may need to operate the automatic gates should have a remote transmitter that opens and closes the electric gates at the touch of a button. As these are small enough to be carried in pockets or handbags, these are mobile gate controls.
Secondly, modern GSM access control systems allow smartphone apps to control electric gate operation. With cameras in entry-phone systems, they even allow you to see on your phone who is at your gates requesting access. They can also do this from anywhere in the world where you have a mobile phone signal.
Thirdly, the first fixed gate controllers are located outside the gates. These can include entry-phones or call buttons. Visitors use these to communicate with corresponding receiver handsets, buzzers or bells inside the property. There may also be a numerical keypad which allows anyone with a legitimate access code to open the gates by punching it in on the keypad.
The fourth location is fixed inside the house and is the receiver component of the communication system from outside the electric gates. This can also show you who’s at the driveay gates if the intercom at the gate has a video camera. Handsets for speaking to visitors inside the house can also be cordless.
The final possible location for standard access control system components is just inside the electric gates. This is where an egress button can be included for anyone leaving the property on foot to press to open the driveway gates automatically. However, these must not be accessible from outside the gates. There are security and safety risks if anyone can reach through the gap between an electric gate and the post or pillar to operate the button. When the gate starts to operate, it can trap an arm reaching through this gap as the space between the gate and post or pillar closes up. The force from electric gate motors is strongest nearest the hinges and can cause considerable harm.
Most use of gate automation systems is controlled by and for the homeowners. As the owners and operators of the gates, they will also have been instructed on appropriate and safe use of their electric gates by the installer. However, younger children and pets are not great at understanding and implementing rules and both love to play. So, it’s always worth keeping an eye on children and pets playing near automatic gates, particularly in case someone operates them.
Gate automation systems are predominantly controlled by portable pocket remote transmitters and fixed access control equipment like keypads, intercoms and push buttons. Homeowners will have their own remote transmitters and codes for any keypads. But family members that don’t live in the property and visit regularly can also have either or both. The simplest way of thinking about this is if you have given them a key to the property, they should also have a way to operate your driveway gates. If this is the case, these regular visitors also need safety training.
Access also needs to be possible for different types of vehicles including cars, motorcycles and bicycles. A way to allow entry and exit on foot also needs to be included in the system design. Separate pedestrian gates can be specified, or the driveway gates can be set to part open for foot traffic.
A big consideration for owners of automatic gates is access for regular or infrequent visitors including deliveries of supermarket supplies, post, milk, newspapers and larger purchases. Service and maintenance suppliers such as cleaners, repairers, builders, electricians, plumbers, decorators, gardeners/landscapers, equipment installers and binmen all need access through your electric gates onto your property. And in the event of potentially serious problems, access for emergency personnel such as the police, ambulance or fire services has to be provided without delay.
While this ever-growing list of people who may need access has to be accommodated, one of the primary functions of gate automation systems is still security. Electric gates can help keep undesirable elements off your property. Unlike gates without automation, electric gates are normally closed and only opened to allow controlled entry or exit. And an access control system lets you talk to and even see who is at your electric gate so that you can decide if you will grant them access.
Automatic gates need space to move through as they open and close. Swing gates open through an arc equal to each gate’s width, and sliding gates need space longer than their length to slide into. Any static obstacles such as walls, trees, your house or ascending steps in the area proposed gates will move through will prevent their installation. Cars have to be parked clear of the same area and the family should be educated about moving swing gates and sliding gates and what they can do and what should be avoided.
So, what are your options if you have limited space for electric gates to travel through?
Bi-fold gates
Bi-fold gates are effectively normal swing gates cut in half vertically. This means that they require about half the space traditional swing gates travel through as they fold in the middle as they swing open.
This may sound like the perfect option for anyone with limited space but there are a few caveats with bi-fold gates.
The traditional way to install bi-fold gates is to have a track in the ground or a rail above the electric gates that guides the leading edge of each gate as they open and close. But overhead rails can be unattractive and limit the height of vehicles that can pass through bi-fold driveway gates. Ground tracks also need regular cleaning to keep them free from leaves and gravel etc.
Bi-fold gates have to be installed carefully to ensure correct operation. They must be able to move through their full travel without binding on tracks or rails.
However, there is now a new kit that allows bi-fold gate installation without tracks or rails. As with any bi-fold gate, careful and accurate installation of the driveway gates, hinges and the electric gate kit is vital for smooth operation. These gates also need a close stop for each gate leaf to close onto.
Once the kit or tracks is installed, bi-fold gates can be automated by any standard swing gate automation motors such as articulated arm, rams, linear screw or undergrounds.
The complex nature of bi-fold gates means that there’s a limit to the size of gates that can be fabricated, and larger, industrial bi-fold gates need to be specially fabricated.
Sliding gates need enough room for the driveway gate to slide into to completely clear the entrance space between the pillars or posts. The alternatives involve splitting the sliding gate into smaller sections. This can be as follows.
Telescopic sliding gates split the driveway gate into overlapping sections that slide alongside the other sections as they open and close. If the electric gate is split into two sections, it needs slightly more than half the space of the equivalent single sliding gate. If it’s split into three sections, it will need just over a third the space of the equivalent single sliding gate.
These systems have the section nearest the open post driven by a standard sliding gate motor and use a series of cables to control the opening and closing of the other leaf or leaves.
Aside from the added complexity of installing multiple gate leaves and drive cables, a telescopic sliding gate system will require a separate track for each leaf to be laid in the driveway entrance.
Bi-parting sliding gates are two gates that simply open in the middle and each leaf slides to one side.
While space is needed both sides of the electric gate to accommodate each leaf, only just over half the space required for a single sliding gate leaf is required on each side of the driveway entrance.
Round-the-corner sliding gates are made up of multiple vertical sections hinged on both edges. This allows the gate sections to follow a curved track. Where there is not enough room for a standard sliding gate to open fully, these sliding gates allow the gate to follow the obstacle rather than hit it.
Round-the-corner sliding gates obviously require special curved track and the cost of the electric gates is more than the equivalent solid sliding gate.
In all the above cases, the cost of the driveway gates, hinges, tracks and installation will be higher than the equivalent pair of swing gates or single sliding gate with standard gate automation system. However, if space is at a premium, and automated gates are highly desired, there are gate automation options for those willing to pay the extra cost for the added complexity.
If your driveway slopes upwards as you enter the property, swing gates will ground themselves as they open inwards onto the rising drive. You could have outward opening swing gates. But there has to be enough room on your property for them to open outwards without obstructing public pavements or the road.
The options here include special hinges that tilt the electric gate upwards as they open. Alternatively, driveway gates can be mounted higher than usual on their posts so that they don’t hit the driveway as they open. But this leaves a large gap under your gates which never looks right. It also doesn’t stop anyone crawling under the electric gates to get onto your property.
You could have a sliding gate instead, but it’s also a bad idea to use sliding gates if your driveway slopes across its entrance. This means that the load on the gate motors changes as the gate slides downhill or uphill.
If your gates are on low ground, a high-water table may prevent rainwater draining away from underground motors even if they’re installed with appropriate drainage pits.
If driveway gates are installed in exposed, windy areas, fully boarded (no gaps) electric gates will act like sails in the wind. This can mean that gate motors struggle to move the gates against the resistance of the wind. They may see strong winds as obstacles and back off, so the gates never fully open or close. In these situations, increasing the force applied by the gate motors overcomes this problem but creates dangerous gates that could crush someone.
The viable options a good gate installer will come up with include opting for a sliding gate instead. Alternatively, swing gates with spaces (open boarded), that will allow wind to pass through the gaps, can be installed.
Electric gates come in a huge range of designs, colours and infill patterns. Gates can also be made of aluminium, iron or steel, various types of wood, a combination of any of these materials, and even PVC.
But what combination of design elements works best for your house? Which will perfectly compliment the area you live in and create the biggest impact for visitors? Here are a few questions you could ask when looking at your options.
Your driveway gates are the first thing visitors and anyone near your home are likely to see. Do you want this first impression to compliment your home, garden and personality? Or do you want something that contrasts with everything else?
Most people go for complimentary automatic gate designs but have a look at what you currently have and make a note of your home style – is it modern or traditional, typically English or with elements from another country? Also, are there strong colours or woodwork or metalwork elements?
View our aluminium gate designs here.
You might think that the answer to that question is simply your home. But your address also includes a street and a village, town or district of a city. All these could have a bearing on the driveway gates you choose.
Is the area you live in colourful, conservative, modern, traditional or something else?
Is your home on a busy, residential road or a leafy, sparsely populated country lane?
Do your neighbours have electric gates and what styles have they chosen?
Which of their gates do you think work in the area and which do you think should be somewhere else?
As different woods, metals and plastics all lend themselves to varying swing gate and sliding gate construction methods, each has a strong bearing on how the finished gates will look.
Wood
Wooden gates are usually assembled from long flat sections of wood nailed or bonded together.
This usually creates a flatter structure with the option for gentle curves.
Wooden gates are also much more likely to be ‘close-boarded’ which means that there are no gaps. As wood is a natural material, it is often described as ‘warm’.
Iron and steel
Iron and steel are heavy but can be formed into intricate shapes. Automatic gates made from these metals usually have spaces between thinner uprights.
Ornate finishes to the tops and faces of iron and steel gates can give them a traditional and sometimes exclusive appearance.
But some people feel that metal gates are ‘colder’ than wooden gates.
Aluminium
Aluminium gates have corrosion-resisting benefits over wood and iron or steel and they can be made to look just like other driveway gates.
Aluminium is light, strong and naturally corrosion resistant. Aluminium gates have a surface coating that gives them the wood-effect or coloured finish. This significantly adds to the longevity of aluminium gates and many have guarantees of many years.
Some people will always prefer the real thing and deal with the maintenance requirements.
But if you like the look of wood or iron gates but don’t want the hassle of high maintenance, aluminium is the perfect alternative.
PVC is the cheapest option for a new driveway gate but the impression they create is also cheap. If you want your automatic gates to compliment your property positively, PVC gates are probably best avoided.
Gates come in many designs but for driveway gates there are two common configurations. These are either sliding gates or swing gates. So, which do you choose? What are the advantages and disadvantages or each type of electric gates?
Sliding gates are usually made up of one, larger gate leaf that slides across the driveway entrance. Swing gates are usually twin gates that open in the middle and swing open into the driveway. However, a single sliding gate can be made to look like two swing gates.
What Are The Differences In Operation?
A sliding gate is moved along a track on wheels by a gate motor with a toothed cog on its side. This meshes with a toothed rack mounted along the length of sliding gate and moves it when rotated.
A swing gate is moved by a gate motor moving mechanical arms and rods that connect to the gate. The motors are mounted on the gate pillars or sunk underground below the hinge point.
Underground gate motors are fairly inefficient as the force applied to each swing gate is close to the hinge rather than at the opening edge where much less force is required to move the gate. When swing gates have no gaps in their surface (fully boarded), a strong wind blowing on them will significantly increase the force required to open them.
To open fully, each swing gate moves a shorter distance than a sliding gate. With a 4m gap between pillars, a sliding gate moves more than 4m, while the opening edge of each swing gate moves 3.141m to open to 90 degrees. Despite the differences in motion type (sliding vs rotating) and gate motor action, swing gates are slightly quicker to open because of this.
Any automatic gate system can be unsafe if it’s installed without due consideration of its use, who will have access to it and where the possible danger areas are.
Sliding gates move across stationary surfaces so have the potential to cause shearing and crushing injuries. Swing gates can cause pinching and crushing injuries at the hinges, and impact and crushing injuries as the automated gates swing open.
Sliding gates should not be installed on slopes as they require more force to push uphill and higher breaking force to stop them accelerating downhill.
Swing gates and sliding gates both have risks. However, a qualified gate installer, who fully understands the unique safety requirements of your gate utomation system, will design, assemble and install the safest possible electric gates .
Swing gate openers are either electromechanical or hydraulic.
The main types of swing gate motors are hydraulic ram, threaded shaft, underground or articulated arm. There are also concealed in-post and wheeled motors, but these are used less in the UK.
Hydraulic rams push and pull a piston mounted to the gate. The gate motor body is mounted to the pillar or post so that an extending piston opens the swing gate and a contracting piston closes the gate.
Threaded shaft gate motors look very similar to hydraulic rams, but the swing gate mounting is on a threaded shaft inside the housing.
As the threaded shaft is turned by an electric motor, the mounting moves along its length to open and close the driveway gates.
Threaded shaft rams are less expensive than other options. but all ram motors require careful alignment during gate installation.
Underground motors are installed inside robust housings sunk into pits dug beneath the gate hinges.
The only part visible outside the housing is the arm that is mounted to the underside of the electric gate.
This is connected directly to the electric gate motor or hydraulic system that turns the arm and so opens and closes the driveway gate.
Underground gate motors can be expensive as they require ground works, appropriate drainage and careful alignment as the arm pivot has to be in line with the gate hinge.
Articulated arm motors use a jointed, two-piece arm usually mounted to the underside of the gate motor.
The end of the arm is mounted to the automatic gate and the gate motor body is mounted to the gate pillar or post. As the motor turns the arm, the swing gate is pushed open or pulled closed.
Articulated arm motors allow more leeway with mounting tolerances but can require wider pillars for mounting.
They also use an arm whose joint closes up as the swing gate opens, so users have to be aware of the risks of getting something caught inside the arm.
Once a rough idea of basic design has been arrived at, where the gates will spend their working lives can be considered. Gate automation systems are exposed to the weather, so they get wet and dry out and get wet again.
The main problem with wooden gates is that wood absorbs water when it’s wet and dries out in the sun. The only way to prevent this is to add a protective coat of paint or preservative over the surface of the wooden gates to prevent them from coming into direct contact with the environment.
If wooden gates gets wet, they expands as they soak up water and they get heavier. As a wooden gate dries, it contracts and becomes lighter. This change in weight causes problems with hinges and the expansion and contraction plays havoc with any protective covering designed to keep water away from wooden gates.
As wood expands the surface coating of paint stretches and may crack. Joints get compressed together and bolts elongate their holes. As wooden gates contract, the joints open up and bolts become loose in their holes.
The ultimate effect is that more water gets through cracks in the protective coating on wooden gates to accelerate the process. The gates sag on their hinges, don’t meet in the middle and the gaps between joints get bigger.
Ev
entually, wooden gates start to rot. All of this helps to make beautiful new wooden gates, that used to impress visitors, look shabby within a year of installation.
Iron rusts when it is exposed to water and air. Again, surface treatment will help delay the process, but rust is hard to eliminate.
Aluminium gates don’t rust, warp, twist or rot. Gaps stay tight and fixings stay fixed.
The surface finish that gives aluminium gates their wood-effect finish is also part of their protection from the environment. Aluminium is naturally highly corrosion-resistant but some manufacturers use a marine-grade surface coating that can allow them to give guarantees of up to 10 years.
Aluminium gates can be designed and manufactured to look like wooden gates or ornate iron gates. They are light, so they don’t need powerful motors when automated or over-engineered hinges and locks.
If you’re thinking about new automatic gates or you want existing gates automated, one of your biggest decisions concerns the choice of gate installer.
Do you go for the cheapest option? Do you pick the engineer who is available the soonest? Or do you go for the installer who shows you the swig gate or sliding gate designs you like the most? Then do you trust the one who says you only need one set of photocells or the one who recommends rams gate motors rather than undergrounds?
There is a huge range of gate automation systems and some are promoted with simple installation and programming set-up as key features. There is no doubt that these are aimed at the sporadic electric gate engineer and even the suitably experienced DIY installer.
While it is not impossible for someone with knowledge of electrical installation, groundworks, bricklaying, carpentry, welding and even physical geometry to install electric gates, there are a list of caveats as follows:
a) Badly installed electric gates can kill. The forces that can move the entire length of a large, heavy swing gate are considerable, particularly at the hinge. These forces can cause a moving electric gate to create potential risks from contact with the gate. These risks create the possibility for crushing, shearing, impact and other types of injury.
The amalgamation of multiple gate automation components and the gates themselves creates a new unique piece of machinery - a gate automation system. This needs to be CE marked to provide evidence of safety audits and procedures carried out during the design and creation of the new machinery. The legislation that electric gate safety is based on is complex and detailed.
The installer is responsible for the end result and any incident caused by the gates. For this reason, any competent DIY homeowner should seriously consider the implications of innocently installing unsafe gates that ultimately seriously harms a family member.
There is no doubt that an experienced gate automation installer has a vastly superior knowledge of, and experience in electric gate safety than the casual or DIY gate installer.
b) A gate engineer needs a long and varied list of skills and experience. Gate installers have to be able to work in wood with wooden gates and posts. They have to be able to weld steel brackets to iron gates. They have to understand how the gate hinge geometry is affected by the addition of gate motors and how the motor applies its force.
Sliding gates can’t be installed on slopes without gravity affecting, and possibly overloading sliding gate motors. Underground motors for swing gates need to be sunk in pits with adequate drainage and positioned precisely as they form the lower gate hinges. Sliding gates move on tracks laid across the driveway. Brick pillars often have to be built and then backfilled with concrete or constructed around steel pillars to provide the required strength to support driveway gates.
Gate motors are either 24Vdc or 230Vac and require a suitable power supply and safe wiring into the control panel along with all other electrical safety devices.
In short, the electric gate installer has a wide range of construction skills not found in many other fields.
c) Electric gates are large and unwieldy and are affected by wind, particularly if they don’t have spaces in them (close boarded). Handling gates can be tricky. Iron gates and wooden gates can be very heavy.
d) The typical installation manual lists a series of tasks in a specific order. They very rarely detail the exact nuances of how each step should be carried out. Without the experience of the qualified electric gate installer, installing a gate can take a long time. As this is a job that blocks the driveway access to the home, delays are best avoided.
e) In normal use, swinging electric gates hang on hinges and move through the air. They don’t come into contact with anything other than physical stops. Damage to gates made of wood, steel and aluminium is possible during installation unless great care is taken by installers used to handling these often awkward and heavy items.
f) An experienced gate engineer will not only be able to design and install a safe gate automation system for you. They will also be able to suggest the most suitable configuration for your unique set of requirements in the first place. No location and usage requirements are exactly the same, and different options for sliding or swing gates and the various swing gate motors available is best decided in consultation between the homeowner and a professional gate installer.
g) An experienced gate automation installer will be able to guarantee their work and provide future maintenance and emergency call-out support.
h) Quality gate installation will include manual release systems so that you can open your electric gates manually in the event of power failure or emergency.
i) A qualified gate automation installer will understand how to employ the appropriate safety measures to reduce the risk of injury to a minimum. They will also be able to provide guidelines for all users of the gates to ensure unsafe practices are avoided.
j) An experienced installer will know how to accommodate your entry and exit requirements on foot and in vehicles with minimum hassle. They will know how best to deal with visitors and what communication technology will be suited to your access control needs. Today, it is possible to be on the other side of the world from your electric gates and still be able to control them with a GSM system and a mobile signal where you are. However, you may just need a buzzer and a gate release button.
A gate automation system is a powerful ‘machine’ designed to open and close gates regularly and safely at any time. With many moving parts and exposure to the elements, a gate automation system needs regular maintenance to keep it working as it should.
Regular maintenance will help keep breakdowns to a minimum, but they can still happen. So, you need to know that your gate installer is close enough to get to you quickly for an emergency repair call-out. They should also be able to offer you the manufacturer’s warranty on all components of any gate automation system and may also provide their own guarantees on the quality of their installation work.
The individual components that make up a gate automation system are varied and often complex. Electric gate motors or hydraulic drives operate gears connected to arms or brackets fixed to your gates. Modern electronics are used in control panels, photocells, loop cards, safety edges and transmitters and receivers.
It doesn’t matter what combination of sliding gate or swing gates, control panels, gate motor voltages, safety devices and access control is used. Maintenance is vital to ensure that your electric gates work smoothly and safely and to reduce the possibility of expensive and time-consuming automatic gate system breakdowns.
The frequency of maintenance for any gate system may be affected by the frequency of use of the driveway gates. Electric gates that are opened and closed all day long are more prone to wear-related issues than gates that open once or twice a day. But electric gates that aren’t used for a few days at a time may need more servicing that focusses on keeping components moving freely.
The location of a gate automation system may play a part in determining how much servicing is required. If the gates are near the coast, strong winds and salt spray from the sea can reduce service intervals. But the essence of good gate breakdown preventative maintenance is a service from an experienced gate installer at least once every year.
Ideally, the gate engineer who installed a new gate automation system will advise on the level of servicing. If you have moved into a house with automated gates and are unsure about their service history, calling a local gate installer is a wise move. They will be able to assess the overall condition of the gate automation system and carry out any required servicing and maintenance work.
Essentially, gate automation system maintenance should include the following:
· Inspecting the physical integrity of the gates
· Checking the correct operation of hinges and stops, and lubricating where required
· Checking the automation system for correct operation
· Cleaning and lubricating areas where metal moves over metal
· Checking and testing all cable connections to ensure nothing is coming loose
· Checking and testing electronic equipment for the presence of smaller pests such as slugs, spider and insects which can damage circuit boards and affect photocell operation
· Checking all enclosures and cable entries or any signs of water ingress
· Testing all safety devices, obstacle detection systems and warning devices for correct and safe operation
· Cleaning underground boxes
· Lubricating linkages
· Ensuring underground boxes have sufficient drainage to prevent motors from sitting in water for more than half an hour.
· Manual release devices should be tested, cleaned and lubricated as required
· Sliding gate wheels and rollers should be checked, cleaned adjusted and lubricated if required
· End-stops and racking should be checked to ensure secure fitting
· All access devices should be checked – radio controls, keypads, intercoms etc.
· The oil levels of any hydraulic operators should be checked and topped up if required. The area around the operators should be checked for any signs of leakage, which could indicate that the unit requires a service by the manufacturer.
Automatic gates are assembled from separate components to build a new piece of machinery. This should be completed by a skilled gate automation engineer. And to the homeowner who has never invested in automatic gates, this is not a simple process.
Hopefully, this electric gate guide has given you a primer on the subject and a starting point for further research. If you’ve got this far and have any questions, we’re happy to help. Linkcare is the UK’s leading electric gate automation and access control specialist. We work closely with a network of recommended and truted gate automation installers nraionwide. So, if you're interested in automating existing gates, adding new electric gates to your homw or you need driveway gate maintenance or servicing, we can help. Please call us on 01895 232 626, email [email protected] or fill out a few details on our find a local gate installer form.
52 Comment(s)
I like how you mentioned that automatic electric gates can prevent kids and pets from running into busy roads. My wife and I are thinking about getting gate operators that open and close an entranceway because our children play in the front and we want to prevent them from being exposed to the busy street. It seems like a good investment to hire a reputable company that has the necessary equipment and material needed to secure our front access point exposed to roads.
Hello Jesse Ford, Please email your address and phone number, and we will find a local installer to help you in the New Year. [email protected]
Hello Jesse Ford, Please email your address and phone number, and we will find a local installer to help you in the New Year. [email protected]
It's interesting that sliding gates shouldn't be installed on any slope. My brother wants to install an automatic gate for his new house since he has bought a brand new Ferrari. I'll be sure to share this with him so he can keep his house and his belongings safe.
This is a WOW post. You have pointed out each and every trifling about the electric gates. I'm just sharing it on Facebook cause people should know each detail about the electric gates and this blog giving all the details at once. I really like the mention of the safety of the kids and pets for home purposes. Otherwise the types of gates such as wooden, steels and so on, overall great information to know.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing, this is very helpful.
My parents have been considering putting a gate near their driveway. Since they have a long driveway they want to protect it a bit. Thanks for explaining that they will want to consider who will install the gate.
We would like to get the best quote for 4 meters long by 1.8 meters high iroko or cedar hardwood electric sliding gate supplied and installed (fully panelled). The right hand side will go on a downhill towards a brick wall. The gate would need to be open to the left if facing the entrance. Can you tell me what would be the best price including the installation?
Hi The head of our Gate department Andy Baker has sent you an email
I am on the Isle of Wight. Do you have a list of local installers please. Thank you
Hi, Please contact FRONTRUNNER DOORS 07990738833
How do I make my electric gates open automatically at 8 o’clock in the morning and close at 5 o’clock in the evening
Is it possible that when delivery driver presses the bell to alert the householder that there is a delivery outside of the electric gate ,for the householder to be contacted on their mobile phone and then for the householder to remotely operate the electric gate so the delivery Can be made more securely inside the boundary of the property Rather than leaving the gates open
Hi Charles, Yes, you can use a time clock to automatically open your gates and then let them close at set times as long as it is set up correctly. I suggest you look at the AES Prime6-ABK. https://www.linkcare.net/aes-gsm-5abk-cellcom-prime-2g-architectural-gsm-audio-intercom-with-keypad This unit allows you programme times for the gate to open and close automatically, has a button to call your phone, allows you to remotely open your gate and also change permanent and temporary code numbers for the keypad. To discuss or find a local installer please call us on 01895 232626
is any place around benoni where they manufacture round the corner slider gate
Hi, We are a UK company and have no contacts in South Africa. I suggest you contact a local metal worker or gate company
This is really appreciated that you have presented this data over here, I love all the information shared. It will be very helpful to understand the content on ten things check automatic gates . Indeed a great post to share!! Loved it…
Hi can you please recommend a reputable gate installer near Yeovil/ Sherborne in Dorset/ Somerset border.
Hi Thank you for your your request. We have a great customer that can cover your area, Devon Openers Ltd. I have spoken to Simon and he is expecting your call. Please find the details below: Devon Openers Ltd Unit X, Langlands Business Park, Uffculme, Cullompton, EX15 3DA. Simon Searle: 01884 840333 / 07496 878444. E-mail: [email protected] Thank you, Mark.
I would like an electric gate in the Birmingham area. My home is on a steep hill so I would need a firm that can provide suitable options. Please can you recommend one or two companies? Thank you
Research local options. Find out which companies have a stellar reputation for installation work. How long has the company been in business? What other services does the firm offer? What do the reviews say? Are there a lot of positive comments about the company’s service quality? Find out before you make a hiring decision.
The blog is addressing on the ten things that check the automatic gates. Such content must be made more and more available. Thank you for this article! This is really very informative. I love this article, thanks for producing such great contents. I love your posts always.
Hi. Would you be able to recommend reputable/established installers in Colchester please? Thanks.
Hi We have a customer in CO7 6BL, AEGIS INTEGRATED SECURITY LIMITED. Please find the contact number below: 01206323900. If l can help any further please let me know. Thank you, Mark.
There is a process behind choosing the right automated driveway gate to meet your needs, and selecting a contractor to handle the installation, so make sure that you consider these ten steps to ensure that your gate functions well into the future.
Hi there. Thank you for the useful article. Do you know anyone that could install a telescopic sliding gate near Norwich? We have an old cottage with a very small driveway and this type of gate seems to be the only solution. Thank you
Hi there, I must say this is the most detailed and informative post we’ve come across since starting our research in to automated gates. Take a bow Sir... As you can imagine it’s a bit of a mine field out there trying to source a reputable gate installer - would you know of any suppliers who covers the Warrington, east Cheshire/west Manchester area that you could possibly suggest? Kind Regards Iain
Hi Iain, The installer we would recommend in your area is called Boundary Gate and Barrier and you can contact them on 08444130184. Kind regards Ben Linkcare
Hi What would you recommend for already existing swing electric gates in Carcassonne France but they are often damaged by wind pushing them open, quite old so looking to replace as on 2 occasions we have replaced the electric arms and many times had repairs on them. Kind regards Sue
Hi Sue, If you want a gate that you cannot see through I suggest you look at gates with open louvres in that will let the wind pass through. These are referred to as 'Portail contre vent' in French. We supply these in aluminium, and if you combine these with 24v operators that will not operate when the wind is too strong, the gates may not get damaged. Obviously you have to contend with the Mistral which is a very mean wind indeed, and you might be better of with an open railing steel gate that presents very little wind resistance. You might also consider a louvred sliding gate which might also handle the wind better. Take a look at what others have done in your neighbourhood as wind in this part of France is not a new phenomenon.
I am having installed two six foot wide electrically operated wooden gates controlled from underground unit - not arms. The installer has not installed a central stop when these gates are closed. Do I need a central stop to conform to any regulations. The gates open inwards to the property. To open away from my property would be encrouching on the grass verge the responsible of the Council. thus my concern about the stop.
Hi Terence, Any automatic gate will operate better with a closed stop in the ground as close to the centre of the gateway as possible. Many operators, including underground units like the NICE LFAB motors, do come with stops that can be fitted on or around the motor. Whilst these will work, they will tend to leave the gates prone to damage by the wind as there will normally be movement at the leading edge of the gates when closed. This slackness can also mean the a gap can be forced between the leaves which could be big enough for small people to squeeze through, and even if it is not, the attempt can put pressure on the brackets and cause them to bend or break. This is even more evident with underground motors where you are controlling the whole gate from the hinge position. Gates will always be more securely closed when pushed against a central closed stop when closed. Where a central stop is not possible, your professional installer should be able to come up with an alternative.
Its good looking website. Thanks for giving full information about Automatic Sliding Door. You can also check at bmtsautomaticdoors.com
Hi, I’m looking for a company to provide and install a 3.5m wide sliding aluminium gate for our driveway. We live in Surrey. Can you recommend a company / installer please?
Hi there Jake, thanks for your inquiry. We have a number of installers in that area. If you would like to email me on [email protected] with your postcode and a few details of the type of gate you are interested in and if you would like automation etc I can pass you over to the nearest installer. Kind regards, Sally
Thank you for writing about the benefits of security gate systems. It is the best for indoor and outdoor gate.
Great article which has made me decide that Aluminium may be better than wood. Can you recommend anyone in the Chichester area? Many thanks.
Hi Maggie, We recommend Servian Security and Gate Automation in this area. Ask for Frank and he will be able to help. His details are; Office: 01329241740 Mobile: 07971794684 Email: [email protected] If you need anymore help please free to call us on 03302 234 800. Kind regards, Sallie
Made me re-think my choices. These are gorgeous and inspired me to strive harder so eventually I can achieve this high end gates!
Great information! But I would also be interested to find out about noise from automated gates as we need to use them early in the morning and don't wish to wake our close neighbours at 5am! Any information would be most helpful and welcome.
It's great that you mentioned that you might use automatic gates controlling access to commercial environments much more frequently. My best friend thinks adding a swing gate to our new home can ensure our safety and give our home a better look. I'll share this with him since it could provide us with more benefits for our home. Thanks!
Hi, great info, thank you! 1) If installing electric gates, do I need a non electric pedestrian gate for parcel deliveries etc who I want to be able to access the house during daylight hours? Then lock it at night? How else might I get around this? 2) is there anyone you would recommend in Belfast and surrounding area? Thanks!
Dear Harriet Thank you for your message. It is not necessary to have manual pedestrian gate as most system we supply have the facility to open one or two leaves partially for letting a pedestrian past. This function can be control via a time clock. I am sorry but we cannot recommend anyone in Belfast Jack
Hi just needed some advice. I am getting electric swing gates fitted. The surface is tarmac and is a bit uneven,more like an incline. As the surface is on incline the clearance under the both gates is different and one of the gates has only 1-2 cm from the tarmac when it opens. When they are both closed. the both leaves of the gate are higher from the ground but when they are open the space between one of the gate and the ground is just 1cm. Will this cause any problems going forward
A very interesting article. We own electric gates which serve us and our neighbours' house. What I am finding impossible to find is a template for an agreement of maintenance, running and repair of communal gates. Can you help as we are paying for the power, SIM contract and yearly servicing of the gates which needs to be split between us and the neighbours. For your readers' benefit, in total our gates will cost circa £600 per annum to maintain and operate. Thank you
Hello, I was wondering if you could tell me of anybody that could quote and install a gate like the telescopic gate shown on this post around the Leicestershire/Northamptonshire border. Thanks Richard
It was a great reminder when you said to give trusted loved ones or friends access to our automatic driveway gates. Me and my wife are planning to have one, because driving home from work and having the need to get out of your car and open the gate is a troublesome chore. We'll make sure to keep in mind your tip while we find the best automatic driveway gate openers in the market.
I found it interesting when you said that gate automation systems could be controlled by portable pocket remote transmitters. My husband and I will surely consider having an automatic gate installed. We are planning to start the construction of our custom house, and we want a gate to be installed. We are all for convenience, so we will do your tips.
Phew! You don't even know how glad I am to find this article. Your clarification on choosing the right mechanism to open and close our automatic gates was totally helpful. The main gate leading to my grandmother's house is getting rustier and it really needs to be replaced. I think it would be smart if she just gets in touch with a professional company to make the perfect installation sooner or later.
Hi, we have just purchased a property on the Bristol Channel coast and are thinking about electic gates our entrance will be 4mtr wide, what would you recommend due to the salt air ?
Thank you for sharing this 10 tips!
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It really helped when you explained automatic gates and their different materials. My family just moved into another house last month, and we're interested in installing automatic gates to improve our safety, so we'll be sure to read your insight carefully. My wife and I appreciate your information on aluminum gates and how they're resistant to corrosion and come with aesthetic benefits.
https://www.linkcare.net/linkcare-gate-automation-blog/ten-things-check-automatic-gates
Hi, would you be able to recommend someone to supply and install an electric sliding gate in Poole, Dorset please?
Worth to read very informative and detailed. Thank you for sharing your blogs, will keep in touch.
Oh, hi! I really have to go through this article because I remember my cousin talked the other day about her plan to upgrade the entirety of her house. I like it when you said that the installation of automated gates is mainly to provide us with the much needed convenience. I'll tell her to use this article as guidance to set up something beneficial soon after.
awesome post!
interesting post
Yay! I;m so happy you didn't forget to mention that aluminum gates have the capability to withstand corrosion as well. My backyard garden seems a bit too exposed, so my husband plans to add some kind of barrier around it for extra safety. I'll share this info with him so he'll know what kind of installation to request shortly.
great post
great post
Hello, my friend had an electric gate installed at his yard but someone came along and opened it the opposite direction by pulling on it, which wasn't difficult and supposedly the actuator broke. Is this common?
great,nice one
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