When it comes to automated metal gates, there are quite a few things to consider, ranging from which type of gate to choose, what automation you want, what material to choose and how safe your gate will be.
Metal vs Wood
Just like wood, metal is also a highly popular gate material. However, in addition to being more economical and just as durable, metal also gives you the following advantages:
- Metal gates can be extremely sturdy and durable, especially ones made out of wrought iron. They’re harder to damage or destroy and can last longer as they aren’t prone to the problems that a natural material like wood is given to, such as infestations, warping due to weather changes, silvering and the like.
- Metal gates can normally hold more weight than wooden gates.
- With wood, you have a limited number of options available to you, in terms of design, due to the difficulty in striking a balance between durability and aesthetic appeal with the material. Any carvings or intricacy may lead to the wood becoming thinner and therefore, weaker. With metal there is more scope for customisation than with wood.
- Wooden gates require periodic maintenance, unlike metal gates. Wood responds more to environmental conditions than metal, so caring for it regularly is essential.
- Wood tends to lose its colour over time, which may require you to repaint it often, unlike metal.
- Metal is a much more economical option than wood, as it doesn’t require regular maintenance and isn’t as valued a resource as wood (obtaining metal is far easier than sourcing wood).
Types of Automated Metal Gates
There are various types of automated gates as well as the automation motor itself that you choose to use. Choosing one from these types may get overwhelming at first glance, but here’s a breakdown to make things easier.
Swinging Gates
Swing gates manage to combine functionality and aesthetic appeal efficiently and can also be equipped with extra features such as electric pulses and barbed wire. There are 4 main types of swing gates:
- Balustrade gates
- Welded mesh gates
- Palisade gates
- Ornamental automatic swing gates
- Bespoke gates
These gates are the cheapest automated option as the automation they require is much simpler. However, they require more space and work at their best when the ground is flat.
Sliding Gates
More secure and also more expensive than swing gates, automatic sliding gates are harder to force open, even by vehicles. Rigid and tough, they can be as large as 15 metres wide, giving them an intimidating experience. However, these gates are less space consuming than swing gates and work equally well on flat and raised ground.
Folding Gates
Also called speed gates due to the short amount of time they take to open and close, folding gates are especially popular in spaces where access is allowed only for a limited time and places with a lot of vehicle traffic, such as schools and banks. These gates give you more freedom in terms of aesthetics, letting you experiment with images and colours. However, you’ll have to be more careful while using these gates due to the speed with which they operate.
Telescopic Gates
Similar to sliding gates but less space consuming, the sections of a telescopic gate overlap, making them the perfect option for those who require high security but have limited space. Like sliding gates, they can also be customised as desired in terms of aesthetics and work well on even ground.
Types of Automation
There are two different automation options you can opt for — above-ground and below-ground automation. Above-ground automation is simpler and therefore, less expensive; the motor is installed above the ground, post-mounted and wholly visible. This negates the need for the excavation that below-ground automation calls for.
In the case of below-ground automation, the ground is excavated and the motor is installed underground, making this the more expensive option; however, as the motor is totally concealed, the end result is more aesthetically appealing.
The Advantages of Automation
Automating your gate will give you the following advantages:
- Better privacy as only authorised users can open and close the gates.
- More convenient as the gates can be opened via electronic means (such as remote controls, cards and mobile apps) from the car or house from a distance.
- Can increase the value of your property.
- Increases the aesthetic appeal and stature of your house.
- Cost-effective as insurers may apply a discount when you declare that your house is reliably protected by automated gates.
An automated gate, as you can see, comes with a range of benefits. When it comes to the material you want, how will the gate open and close and who can control it, any additional features you may want, the expert team at Servian can help you make the right choice.
Fill up the form now to get a quote for automated metal gates.
