As well as providing practical and visual advantages to your property, electric gates offer multiple security benefits that could be worth considering. However, with costly installation prices and multiple different types to choose from, it can be tricky decision to make. Here, we talk you through your options and the key things to consider, to help make it easier whether you should choose electric gates for your home.
At their most foundational level, electric gates come in two types: swing and sliding gates. Both have different material properties and strengths to recommend them, so it’s useful working out which may be best for your particular home or business environment.
Sliding Gates
All gates share the same characteristic – retracting into a gap to clear a space, usually using a set of wheels which run along a track in the ground. The wheels will have either a V or U groove, with a special toothed racking which is attached to the end of the gate connected to the motor. The key factor to consider with sliding gates is, regardless of your specific type of sliding gate, to make sure that there’s enough space for them to operate!
Benefits
- Sliding gates take up less room than swing gates, and they often can retract into an alcove or narrow space.
- They look robust and solid, providing effective deterrent for opportunistic criminals and often preventing anyone from looking in to your property.
- They’re often not affected by wind resistance, as they usually don’t have gaps for wind to pass through.
- If your ground is unlevel, textured, or on a slope, sliding gates are really effective since they can be used in any location or on any surface.
Swing Gates
As the name suggests, these gates operate like doors or traditional, manual gates. While sliding gates are moved by a motor, swing gates are moved by mechanical rods attached to the gate’s structure. Swing gates can have two types of motors: above ground or below ground. Above ground motors are usually attached to the post and the end of the rod which swings the gate and have less flexibility, while below ground motors are hidden below the gate, and can open the gates up to 180° from their original position.
Benefits
- Swing gates often have shorter operating cycles than other types of gate, as they typically have a shorter distance to move.
- Due to their straightforward design, they’re easy to install and purchase, especially if they have an above-ground motor.
- They’re ideal for narrow driveways, as you don’t need any additional space to the side of the gate, as for a sliding gate.
- Bi-fold gates, swing gates that come in two halves, are even more effective at saving space, something which may appeal to those looking to protect smaller areas.
What next?
If you’re interested in the possibility of buying electric gates for your property, why not discuss it with a member of our team? Your decision will need to take into account your property size, the shape of your driveway, and your potential budget for purchase, installation and maintenance, something our experts would be happy to talk through with you. Still not sure? Why not read another post from our blog, which is full of useful top tips for your small business.
