When it comes to choosing a gate for your property security, convenience, looks, and value are all important factors. We have shared eight reasons why an automatic gate can offer your property all these attributes and more!
So, you’re thinking of installing a new gate at your property but you’re not sure whether to choose automatic or manual, swinging or sliding? Here are some reasons why an automatic gate could be the right solution for you and your property.
Benefits of Automatic Gates
1) Affordability
Gone are the days when the reason you wouldn’t consider an automatic gate was because it was too expensive relative to the other options available. Automatic gates are now relatively affordable and with lots of options on the market, you should be able to find an automatic gate that will suit your budget. Choosing an automatic gate over a manual gate won’t add that much to the cost compared to the benefits an automatic gate provides.
2) Security
Automatic gates are much more secure than their manual counterparts because no one can enter the property without authority whereas anyone can open a manual gate. If security is a consideration for you, then automatic gates are the best way to control who visits your property. Automatic gates can be fitted with remote entry controls and security cameras so you’re in control — all the time.
3) Privacy
Automatic gates also provide more privacy than manual gates. Your automatic gate remains closed all the time unless you open it. In comparison, your manual gate can easily be left open, or swing open accidentally if it hasn’t been closed properly, leaving your property exposed to the neighbourhood.
4) Securing your boundary
Your gate (whether it’s automatic or manual) is an important part of your boundary and your gate helps to keep kids and pets in — and unwanted intruders out. When installing a new fence and gate around the perimeter of your property, think about your kids and pets and what height your fence and gate will need to be to keep them safely on the property. Automatic gates provide an additional level of reassurance that your kids and pets are safely enclosed because they can’t easily be opened by prying hands, or a wriggly, inquisitive puppy.
5) Convenience
For many people, this is one of the principal reasons that they choose an automatic gate over a manual one — for the convenience. Once your automatic gate is installed, the days of getting wet opening and closing the gate will be behind you. You’ll be able to enter and exit your property with ease – without taking a step out of the car.
6) Street appeal
An attractive automatic gate can add street appeal to your property. Depending on whether you choose a solid gate or a tubular gate, your property can be completely hidden from the street, or the gate can provide an attractive glimpse into your garden and the front of your home.
7) Insurance
Insurance companies know that automatic gates are more secure than many other gates such as manual options. When you’re renewing your premium, ask your insurance company if they’ll offer a discount because you have had an automatic gate installed — especially if your automatic gate has other security features such as a remote intercom with a camera.
8) Property value
All the benefits of an automatic gate combine to add value to your property. Purchasers place a value on homes that are well presented, private, and secure — and your automatic fence provides all these benefits to your property.
So, if you’ve decided that an automatic gate is a right choice for your property — what type of automatic gate should you consider?
Automatic gates come with a variety of options, so you won’t be limited by choice. Automatic gates can be made of solid panels or tubular fencing and can be either sliding or swinging. You can have a single automatic gate or double gates that open to either side. Your gate can be powered by a solar panel or electricity and there are many different variations of remote technology for automatic gates ranging from simple to very complex. Your gate can be accessed with a swipe key or card, or you might prefer a gate with pin code access. However, the right automatic gate for you will be largely determined by the amount of space you have to work with as that will influence whether you go with a sliding automatic gate or a swinging automatic gate.
Here’s what you need to know about sliding and swinging automatic gates.
Sliding Gates Versus Swinging Gates
Sliding gates require space on one side of your driveway for the gate to fully retract when it’s open so they’re best for large properties and you may find that you don’t have enough space to install a sliding gate.
Swinging gates are best for properties that don’t have a lot of space on either side of the driveway. Swinging gates come as either single or double gates. Double gates take up less space when they swing open but have double the mechanism of a single gate so are generally more expensive. Single gates require a lot more space and you need to have the depth in your driveway for a single gate to open fully and your car to be completely clear of the gate for it to shut behind you.
Get help from the experts
Choose a well-known local fencing expert like Jim’s Fencing to help guide you towards the right automatic gate for your needs because there are lots of decisions to be made. Jim’s Fencing is the largest fencing group in Australia and is part of the Jim’s Group of companies. Jim’s Fencing pride itself on excellence and use the highest quality materials in the industry and always ensure that its fences and gates are correctly installed.
Jim’s Fencing installs automatic gates for driveways all across Australia and deals with both commercial and residential customers. They can also help you with your other fencing solutions including boundary fences and pool fencing.
Jim’s Fencing has franchises nationally and offers a free quote for its services. Visit jimsfencing.com.au or call 13 15 46 to find out how Jim’s Fencing can help you to choose your new automatic gate.