An automatic gate is a fine addition to any property. Offering a range of advantages, from increasing property value to enhancing your home security, there are plenty of reasons to invest in a new automatic gate system.
However, choosing the right system can sometimes be challenging! There are many things to consider when buying a new automatic gate, with one of the most important being the type of gate being installed.
There are two very popular choices in this regard – swing gates and sliding gates. The opening mechanisms are different on each one, so both have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Therefore, you need to consider these 3 things to help you decide which option is best for you:
Cost
Given the overall cost of having a new automatic gate installed, it’s natural to consider the price of each type of gate to help decide what one you choose. For those on a tighter budget, a swing gate is usually the cheaper option of the two, making it the better option for anyone looking to keep costs low.
Even though both gate types can be the same shape and size, sliding gates require a more complex opening mechanism and extra parts installed. For example, a swing gate consists of the motor and a couple of hinges mounted to a post or wall, while a sliding gate needs a motor, slide track, and rollers.
Space
Many people getting a new gate installed are working with limited space in their driveway, in which case a sliding gate may be a more suitable option. This is because sliding gates need less space to operate.
For instance, swing gates require a lot of space between the gate and the car to ensure the gate doesn’t hit any vehicle as it opens, so there must be enough room for the gate to completely open, along with space for the vehicle to wait while this happens.
This means you need to think about the width of the driveway and the available space in front and behind where it’s being installed. If space is tight, go for a sliding option, while wide driveways can benefit from double swing gates because these don’t need as much clearing to open as a single swing gate.
Maintenance
If you don’t want to worry about gate maintenance, then a swing gate is probably the best option. It has very low maintenance compared to a sliding gate, which needs tracks to be constantly cleared, with even the smallest debris causing jamming issues along the track.
Long term maintenance is generally easier on a swing gate too. There are fewer parts in the opening mechanism as it is more basic than those used on sliding gates, meaning less chance of parts breaking down and needed repaired or replaced.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
If you live in a community that belongs to a homeowners association (HOA) there certain rules that must be followed, including various fees that go towards the various types of maintenance needed throughout the community, helping to keep things looking good and working to full capacity.
In the case of a gated community, automatic gate servicing is often included in the HOA fees. While this may seem like an unnecessary expensive, regular servicing of an automatic gate is very worthwhile for many reasons.
Here are 4 reasons why automatic gate service should be a regular part of HOA maintenance:
Help Keep the Gate Well Maintained
Servicing is an important part of automatic gate maintenance. It’s recommended that a gate is serviced at least once a year, giving a technician the chance to check to see everything is working and that no issues are developing.
If a community uses the gate frequently, such as with a gated community, then it makes sense for the HOA maintenance fees to cover the servicing, as the gate is being used multiple times per day so it will need more regular servicing to keep it in good condition.
Make Sure the Gate is Working Safely
Regular gate servicing is needed to check all safety features on the gate are functioning properly. Avoid getting it serviced and the gate could be a potential safely hazard to residences, so its servicing should be frequent and covered by HOA maintenance fees to ensure the safety of all residents.
The Gate Will Last Longer
With regular maintenance, an automatic gate can last for up to 20 years or even longer. As servicing is a core part of good gate maintenance, if a community is covering the costs in their HOA fees than they can expect their gate or gates to last for much longer.
Should servicing not be included with HOA maintenance, there’s a good chance it doesn’t get serviced as often as it should, increasing the chances of problems occurring that shorten its lifespan.
So, HOA fees may end up saving more money in the long term, as a replacement gate or getting extensive repairs is much costlier than just a regular gate servicing!
Gate Aesthetics
Now, gate servicing doesn’t involve a deep clean with a pressure washer but there are parts that will be cleaned, lubricated, and unclogged. This all helps to maintain the gate’s functions but also its appearance, helping to slow down things like rusting and generally keeping the appearance of the gate in good shape.
HOAs tend to focus on the appearance of the community and keeping it to a high standard. The gate is often the front door for many of these communities, so keeping it in good shape with regular servicing is certainly worthwhile for most HOAs.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
Automatic gates offer a stylish and secure entranceway to any property. It’s also very convenient, automatically opening while the driver waits, saving the time and effort needed to manually open and close the gate.
Of course, an automatic gate is situated outside so it faces all kinds of elements. It’s also being used every day, so the mechanisms and motors are susceptible to wear and tear, meaning an automatic gate often suffers from operating problems that may require professional repairs.
When it comes to getting repairs, you always want the job to be done as quickly as possible, so it helps to have some information ready before you call for repairs. This will help the repair company identify the problem you’re having and make it easier to get a quick solution.
Be sure to have these 4 pieces of info ready before calling for an automatic gate repair:
What the Problem Is
It seems obvious but you should always have information on what the problem is with the gate. For instance, is it not opening or closing? Does the gate stop halfway as it opens? Is it making strange noises or producing an odd smell? Is the remote controller not working?
There could be any number of reasons that your gate isn’t working properly and the repair company will know what to look out for. So, by giving them a quick rundown of the problem you are facing they can identify the cause and how to fix it.
Gate Type
There are various types of automatic gates and some problems are exclusive to each type. Therefore, you want to have the information on what type of gate you have installed so that the repair company knows exactly what they are dealing with.
For example, problems with an automatic sliding gate often relates to the gate track. It could be a problem specific to sliding gates, such as clogged gate track, or more general automatic gate problem such a faulty motor.
Always identify the type of gate you have, such as a swing gate, sliding gate, telescopic gate, or bi-folding gate. This makes troubleshooting quicker and easier for the person on the phone!
Motor Type
You should also have information on what type of motor your gate uses, as different motors have different issues. For example, underground gate motors often get flooded due to poor drainage and/or clogging, which may cause the motor to fail.
There could be any number of electrical or mechanical issues with an automatic gate motor, so it helps to know what type you have so that the repair technician can determine what the cause of the problem might be.
Gate Location
The location of the gate may be at the root of the problem it is having, which is why it helps to have some quick info on where the gate is on your property. For instance, if an automatic gate is located on a slope the motor is under more strain than a gate on level ground, so this could be the cause of the problem.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
Gated communities are renowned for their safe and secure environment. Most of these communities install automatic gates to prevent intruders from entering, hence ensuring protection of the people inside the premises. While automatic gates are good when it comes to preventing unauthorized entry, there are several extra measures that can be taken to further enhance the security of the gated community. By combining automatic gates with security guards and monitored systems, crime and vandalism can be drastically reduced and the safety of the residents can be ensured.
Here are 4 ways to prevent unauthorized people from entering through your community’s automatic gates:
1. Friendly Guards That Know Everyone
Automatic gates are great, but they don’t offer a personal touch of security. Furthermore, it’s easy for unauthorized people to steal a key card or find another way to enter the premises. With a friendly guard at the entry gate that monitors everyone who enters and leaves the community, it’s much more difficult for an unauthorized individual to sneak in. Knowing the security guards is also helpful for the residents. It makes them feel safer and guards can also learn everyone’s habits quite easily.
2. Remotely Monitored Security Cameras
Most gated communities, even if they have automatic security gates and cameras, aren’t always monitored. In fact, most of the times no one even looks at the security footage unless there’s an incident. That’s why remotely monitored security cameras are recommended to prevent unauthorized people from entering via the community’s automatic gates.
With remote monitoring, residents can rest easy knowing that someone will always be monitoring the cameras. If they notice a suspicious activity, they are able to call for help immediately. All in all, remotely monitored security cameras boost the security of gated communities.
3. On-Site Guards to Quickly Respond
Combining remote monitoring with on-site guards is the best way to enhance security in gated communities. The person monitoring can contact the on-site guards in case of an emergency and they can respond within a few minutes at most. Having a quicker response time means safer residents and less crime overall.
4. Secure All Access Points
While automatic gates are great, they are usually embedded with wireless connections that make it easier for hackers to gain unauthorized access to gate communities via remotely operated systems. That’s why it is extremely important to have enough coverage for all access points with security personnel when possible. The entry points should also be locked to prevent a breach on the premises. Installing a fence or wall that is attractive yet stable enough to prevent unauthorized access to the premises is also a great option to enhance the security of the gated community.
Final Word
While automatic gates are great for preventing unauthorized entry to gated communities, there are several extra measures that can be taken to further increase the security of these communities. Safeguarding a gated community is a collaborative effort among the management, security personnel, and residents. You can prevent property breaches and protect your gated community by working together and taking the necessary precautionary steps.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
Every homeowner invests money, efforts, and time to choose and install the best gates and openers. A lot of people even prefer purchasing automatic gates from reputed manufacturers that offer longer product warranty. But the durability and performance of your automatic gate will be severely impacted if you don’t concentrate on simple maintenances. When you ignore certain things regarding your automatic gate, you further increase risks of bearing high repair and service expenses. That’s why it is recommended that you avoid the common mistakes when it comes to maintaining your automatic gate.
Make sure you don’t do these 6 things with your automatic gate:
1. Skipping on Rust Prevention Efforts
To ensure proper functioning of your automatic gate through the years, one of the most important things you can do is to prevent rust. Rust development on an automatic gate isn’t just unpleasant, it is also detrimental to its functioning. You can usually scrub the rust of your metal automatic gate via sandpaper. It is recommended that you inspect the gate for rust and remove it on a regular basis so that the metal components of your gate are properly maintained.
2. Neglecting Routine Inspections
Visual inspection of automatic gates is extremely important as it helps detect various malfunctions before they become too serious. It is highly recommended that you occasionally perform visual inspections of your automatic gate’s parts e.g. bearings, electrical connections, chain belt, drive belt, metal racks, etc. If there are any wooden parts on your gate, then you should particularly inspect them to see if they require being oiled or stained to prevent problems e.g. rot development.
3. Ignoring an Obvious Problem
Don’t ignore even a minor problem with your automatic gate. For example, a squeaky noise from your gate may seem like nothing serious but it could be very costly to repair. So, if you notice anything serious about your automatic gate, then it is highly recommended that you call an automatic gate repair company to have it professionally inspected.
4. Never Cleaning Your Automated Gate
Simply cleaning automatic gates from time to time is important to both functionality and aesthetics. You can wax and wash your gate often enough to keep the materials in good condition as well as prevent salt from accumulating on metal parts, increasing the risk of rust development.
5. Failing to Properly Lubricate Moving Parts
Moving parts of an automatic gate, or any gate for that matter, wear out and break more quickly if they are not properly lubricated. Inadequate lubrication can result in automation mechanism of your gate easily getting disabled. So, don’t fail to properly lubricate the moving parts (e.g. hinge, roller, pulley, chain, etc.) of your automatic gate.
6. Trying to Repair or Replace Parts on Your Own
In order to save money, some homeowners try to repair/replace their automatic gate parts on their own, ending up damaging the gate in the process. Automatic gates have complex mechanisms which are not easy to repair or replace. So, it is recommended that you call a professional automatic gate repair company in case you suspect any parts need repair or replacement.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
Automatic gates offer a variety of benefits to homeowners, from increased security to improve the outdoor appearance of the property. Yet an often-overlooked benefit of using an automatic gate is the speed in which they open your gate, making entering and exiting a gated property quick and easy – provided you have access of course!
The last thing anyone with an automatic gate wants is to be left waiting several minutes just for the motor to open the gate, as this negates the convenience of having an automatic gate in the first place.
Therefore, it’s important to choose an automatic gate opener with good power and speed!
These 3 types of automatic gat openers offer the faster gate opening:
1. Ram Motor
One of the most popular motors for automatic swing gates, a ram motor also offers plenty of opening speed. Suitable for single and double gates, a ram motor is typically installed above ground to keep costs down, although the space available for motor does influence its positioning, with some installed underground instead.
While there are a few methods this type of motor can use to open the gate, all involve extending and retracting the arm connected to the motor to close and open the gate. The more powerful the motor the faster the gate opens, and you can upgrade the motor to accommodate heavier gates and acquire a faster opening speed.
2. Articulated Arm
Articulated arm motors featured hinged arms that are used to open and close the gate. Although not the fastest opener for large gates, these motors are suitable for smaller gates lack the pillar space for a ram motor.
As a result, an articulated arm motor is one of the fastest automatic gate openers for smaller sized gates. Again, more power in the motor results in quicker speeds, while it’s even possible to use the hinged arm without a motor on manual gates, highlighting the versatility of this particular opener.
3. Sliding Motor
Found on all sliding gate openers, these motors are installed beneath the ground and connect to a cog that meets the base of the gate. When powered, the cog engages the teeth at the base of the gate to move it in the required direction, moving across a track or roller along the base of the gate.
Given the design of the gate, these motors do need to be much larger to ensure faster opening. This has resulted in many sliding gate motors being quite slow to open and close, so combining with a robust motor is essential for faster operation.
For top-notch automatic gates for your home or business, Superior Gate Services is the trusted local choice. To get ideas and to see some recent examples of our work, take a look at our gallery page. When you are looking for a new gate or any related equipment, we welcome you to either contact us through our website or call us at (855) 747-4283 and one of our friendly representatives will be glad to answer any questions you have.
