The different types of ‘auto gates’ in the UK

When we think of protecting our property, the very first thing that comes to mind are solid gates and very high fences. This is because security has ever been a prime concern for all property owners pretty much ever since people started owning the same. This holds true for the UK along with just about every other part of the world.

However, gates today are a far cry from those of a bygone era. Those may well have (and still do) look formidable but nevertheless are now increasingly becoming obsolete. This is because ever larger numbers of property owners in the United Kingdom are now switching from manual gates to fully automatic ones because auto gates offer a veritable host of advantages that are not otherwise available with their manual (hand operated) counterparts.

Moreover, such gates are easily available in a vast variety of different types and functionalities to suit every budget as well as exacting needs of the aesthetic minded and budget conscious purchaser. The many different kinds of gate types include:

ï‚· Hinged gates

These can be further sub divided into three distinct functional types:

ï‚· Out Swingers

As the term implies, an out swinging gate is capable of swinging outwards when it is opened. They operate on hinges that are fixed inside the wall posts located next to these gates.

ï‚· In-swingers

An in-swinging gate swings inwards on its hinges when opened. It may consist of either one or two different doors that are automatically operated by the user courtesy a remote control unit.

ï‚· In-swinging and out swinging gates

They are amongst the most common types of gates around and they can swing both inwards and outwards as per the settings on the remote control unit.

ï‚· Sliders

A slider gate rolls or ‘slides’ on its track or cantilevers (in case it is equipped with those) and unlike its hinged counterparts is an ideal choice where space is at a premium.

Once you have decided on the type of operation you want for your brand new automatic gate, it is time to decide on the construction material of the type of gate that you have chosen.

ï‚· Gate construction materials

As with the different types of gates, there are two main kinds of construction materials for both automatic as well as manual gates:

ï‚· Metal

Metal gates are a popular choice amongst discerning customers of automatic gates and the technology that drives them The metal gates available in the UK have to undergo a called ‘hot dip galvanizing’ that helps keep the gate safe from both rust as well as corrosion irrespective of the external environment.

ï‚· Wood

For the more traditional look, there are wooden gates and they are offered either in a lacquered polish finish or are painted as per the requirements of the customers.

Irrespective of which type and construction material you choose, you may rest easy that it would last you a long time indeed.

Reasons Why Auto gates are taking the UK by Storm

Over the years, gates in the UK have been the same as their counterparts all over the world. I.e. They were either made of wood or metal and either slide on cantilevers or tracks or were pulled or pushed open (If they were supported by hinges) And they were all manually operated, i.e. without any mechanism that could open and close them remotely.

Now all that has changed, thanks to cutting edge innovations in automatic gate technology. Today’s state of the art auto gates are more reliable than ever before and what’s more provide a whole host of benefits to their operators, some of which are described below:

ï‚· Increased Privacy

Auto gates are the perfect solution for all those pushy salesmen who simply do not understand the meaning of the word ‘no’. Such a gate can halt them in their tracks much before they reach your front door so that you can shower in peace.

They are also an excellent way of enjoying that front lawn barbeque without curious pedestrians peeking in while they pass by.

ï‚· Auto gates help keep you Children safe

Such gates are an excellent means of keeping your little toddlers and pre teens safe from both traffic as well as predators.

Once you have installed an auto gate, you may rest secure in the knowledge that your kids would not be able chase runaway footballs on to a busy main road or allow perfect strangers ingress into your home.

ï‚· Four legged predators

If your neighbours have a dangerous dog that is known to roam around your property, an opened gate may mean it would be able to get inside your lawn if not directly into your home itself. An auto gate would ensure such a problem does not exist, neither would it allow your own pets to go outside and make a nuisance of themselves all over the neighbourhood.

ï‚· Insurance breaks

Insurance is a crucial investment that is imperative for the security of your property in case of any unforeseen disaster, such as fire, storm damage or even robberies. Apart from the security that such gates provide in general, many insurance companies in the UK have been known to give additional insurance breaks by lowering premiums on their insurance plans.

ï‚· Ease of maintenance and installation

Installation and maintenance of such automated gates are no more of a concern for the purchasers of this crucial security feature because the purveyors of auto gates all over the kingdom not only take care of any installation hassle but offer a wide range of warrantees and after sales service for their products so that you have complete peace of mind for any product that you purchase from the retailers of such equipment.

Reasons why Automatic gates are taking the UK by Storm

When you go into the market to buy a gate the odds are that you would be faced with a wide variety of choices ranging from sliding gates to inward and outward singing gates. Then there are gates that need to be opened horizontally or vertically (like garage doors)

However amidst the veritable plethora of gates available in the UK market today, the increasing number of automatic gates in the market has grown to dominate sales in the gate industry. This is due to a wide variety of reasons as discussed below:

ï‚· Ancillary products

An automatic gate may not be a stand alone device, but a part of a full fledged system that may include CCTV (close circuit TV cameras) placed close to the gate to keep an eye on the people seeking admission on to the gated property. Or alternately the gate may be mated to an intercom system and rather then ringing the customary bell the visitor may press a key and talk directly to the owner of the gated property and so secure admittance. (or lack of it thereof) Other then that, both audio visual links may be added to the auto gate for additional peace of mind and complete identification of the visitor.

ï‚· Convenience

Such gates provide a world of convenience for the owner and other operators. At the touch of a button a gate may be opened and closed thereby eliminating the need for the property owner to step outside his vehicle or home to open a gate in all kinds of inclement weather.

ï‚· Safety and security

Such gates offer near unparalleled security to the home owners, especially when coupled with high quality audio visual devices. They also remove the danger of anyone being accosted by anti social elements in that vulnerable movement when the leave the security of their vehicle to open the gate, often at odd hours of the night.

ï‚· Reliability

Unlike the auto gates of yester years the current crop of auto gates in te UK offer a markedly higher degree of reliability due to technological improvements in the machinery that operates such gates.

ï‚· Durability

Auto gates today are far more durable than ever before and in the highly unlikely event of a gate malfunctioning, the purveyors of such gates in the UK are offered to back their products with comprehensive ‘triple S’ sales, services and spare parts) services so that their customers may sleep at home in peace safe in the knowledge that their silent sentinels are on the job.

ï‚· Costs

There was a time when such gates were found only in Hollywood movies and the common man could hardly even think to afford such gates. But that was decades back and the auto gates available today are not only more reliable and durable but also vastly more affordable then they were before.

Automatic gates: Becoming progressively more popular

There was a time when most people residing in the UK thought of ‘auto gates’ purely as fancy security devices found only in Hollywood movies where they were used to portray the lives of the jet setting crowd as they were considered a very expensive and frivolous luxury indeed. However, that was decades back and the ever forward march of technology has served to ensure that many such gates are quite affordable as regards both initial purchase as well as long term maintenance. Moreover, they are also far more reliable than ever before.

This is partly the reason why so many people are interested in purchasing fully automatic gates in the UK. This does not necessarily have anything to do with the ‘glamour’ associated with such gates but also due to the myriad real world benefits such gates provide to the home owners who install them on their property, some of them include:

ï‚· A great security feature for you and your loved ones

An auto gate almost always offers far more security than any manually operated one due to the fact that when you are alighting from your vehicle at say, 2 am, you would not need to expose yourself to any anti social elements that just might be lurking in the vicinity. Or if you are home alone you would not need to open the gate on your own and allow any undesirable person to gain admittance to your property.

ï‚· Exceptional convenience

An auto gate also means that you won’t have to dreg yourself out of bed at odd hours of the night in freezing or wet weather to open your manually operated gate. But you can do the same with the push of a button while sitting cosily in your heated home.

ï‚· Increase in property value

A home suitably equipped with an auto gate is definitely more attractive than one that is only equipped with a manual gate that needs must be opened and shut by hand. It increases the overall aesthetic appeal as well as value of your property by showing any prospective purchaser that you have put considerable effort into making your home a safe and comfortable abode for its occupants

Fully equipped with self locking ability

Many of the auto gates currently retailing available in the UK are factory equipped with a self locking capability. By which it is meant that your gate is solidly locked directly once it has been shut, even if you forget to lock it yourself, thus giving you additional piece of mind.

ï‚· Exceptional reliability

Quite unlike the myriad auto gates available years back in a bygone era, today’s machines have benefited a lot from the evolution of technology and now are far more reliable than their older counterparts and are therefore not only more efficient but also highly durable and are able to function flawlessly over the years.

This is why the purchase of such gates is now an ever more common trend as people are beginning to understand the myriad advantages of these gates.