An automatic gate is a great investment for homeowners, offering a stylish yet secure entry way into the property. It not only looks good and improves your home security, it can also increase the overall value of the property, so it often pays for itself in time.
However, all the benefits of an automatic gate system only happen when there is a good company installing it. While there are many reliable automatic gate installation companies out there, there are always a few out there that cannot be trusted or relied upon to properly complete the work.
Here are 5 signs that an automatic gate installer should not be trusted:
1. Being Too Aggressive About the Contract
Whenever a gate installer is being too aggressive with the contract, take a step back and think why this is the case. Many of the least trustworthy companies use strong-arm tactics to pressure homeowners into signing the contract, often claiming that the price they’re offering is for a limited time or that they have a lot of other work they can be doing.
A reliable gate installer knows that customers need to shop around for the best value and will have the patience to wait for you to sign a contract on your own time frame.
2. A Vague Contract
When an installer offers a contract it should have a detailed account of all the costs included and the timeframe for completion. You should clearly see the cost of labor and materials, along with a guarantee of work for the gate system.
A contract that lacks any of this information should be a red flag that something isn’t right. Companies that don’t even offer a contract and want cash in hand should be avoided too, as this is never a good sign for an installation service.
3. Asking for Full Payment in Advance
Another common tactic used by various contractors; any time the installer asks for the full payment of work should not be trusted. Yes, certain payments can occur before the work starts, usually a deposit or the first instalment of a payment plan, but never the full cost of a project.
This can indicate they don’t have enough cashflow for the work or could be using your money to finance other work. If a company does need some payment up front, they should be transparent about the costs – if they get defensive stay well clear!
4. No License or Accreditation
If a gate installation company lacks the proper licensing and/or accreditation then it may be a sign they can’t be trusted. A contractor’s license is required in most states, and accreditation with a professional organization such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) indicates the business is held to high standards and ethical practices, otherwise they wouldn’t be accredited!
5. No Testimonials
Any good gate installation company proudly showcases their satisfied customers, so if there are not testimonials on their site then you may want to do some more research. Not all companies feature testimonials on their sites but those that can be trusted usually do, so if you can’t find any you should consider looking for reviews from third-party sites to see if you can find more information about previous customers’ experiences.
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 have gained a lot of popularity in the recent years. Many of the residences in big cities, as well as bigger establishments in towns around the globe use automatic gates. The reason behind their increased popularity is that they offer convenience, security, and a great way to control the flow of people in and out of a property. Many people are familiar with automatic gates. However, they don’t know their various types or how they work. If you are not familiar with the common types of automatic gates, then read on. This guide lists the most popular automatic gate types so that you can make the best decision when choosing one for your home.
Following are 3 of the most popular types of automatic gates for your home:
1. Slide Gates
Slide gates are the most popular type of automatic gates in residential homes. They are also known as ‘V-track gates’ or ‘rolling gates’. Rollers are added to the gate to support it and aid in the gate’s movement. Sometimes slide gates require a metal track to be installed along the ground for proper functionality. Slide gates are a great option if you have limited space. Also, since a slide gate can work on an angle, it is ideal for you if your driveway is on a steep incline. By choosing an automatic slide gate, you won’t have to pay to have the ground leveled as it is required with an automatic swing gate.
2. Swing Gates
Automatic swing gates are attractive and offer the security that most homeowners are looking for in an automatic gate. Automatic swing gates are one of the most preferred choices for homeowners because they have the simplest mechanics, they are easy to install, and affordable. Although in many residential markets, they are being replaced by automatic slide gates, swing gates are still a popular choice. You can use an underground or pillar mounted system to install your automatic swing gate. Automatic swing gates require a lot of flat driveway space to operate due to the way they open and close. Because of this, they are not suitable for every situation.
3. Vertical Lift Gates
While these automatic gates are not the best looking, they are widely used due to their functionality and advantages. They are ideal for homes that don’t have enough space for a slide or swing gate. Vertical support towers are required to be installed on both sides of the automatic gate in order to help it move up and down. Apart from this, the height of the vehicles that will be using the gate is also an important factor to consider when installing a vertical lift gate as it needs to be lifted high enough to let the vehicles pass through.
Deciding which type of automatic gate to choose for your home is a big decision. These gates are expensive to install and they also need regular maintenance. If you are not sure what type of automatic gate would be suitable for you, then it is recommended that you hire the services of an automatic gate company to get helpful advice on what would suit your residence best.
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.
Spring has arrived and after a long winter your property may not be looking its best, with poor weather conditions and shorter days making it harder to maintain over the winter months. With Spring in the air, now is the perfect time to dress up the entrance of your property and leave it looking great for the rest of the year.
You don’t need to do much either, as even just a few small additions can make a massive difference to the appearance of your property. Here are four ways to dress up the entrance to your property this Spring:
Add a Touch of Greenery
A simple but effective way of dressing up the entrance to your property is the addition of some greenery. With Spring in full flow the plants are growing and the flowers blooming, making it the perfect time of the year to add some new greenery to the property.
There are many ways of doing this, such as adding some new plant pots around the porch, installing small window boxes, or creating flower beds in the front lawn – anything that adds color and life to the property works!
If you already have lots of greenery around your property then doing a bit of maintenance is just as effective, so be sure to dust off the lawn mower and get those green fingers working.
Light it Up
Another great way to dress up the front of a property is the addition of some new lighting. When the property is better illuminated it generally improves the aesthetics and allows you to highlight any focal points you want to draw attention to.
For instance, you could line the gate and driveway with spotlights, add hanging lights to trees and shrubs around the garden, or even put up lights across the front of the house. It’s hard to go wrong with outdoor lighting, so make sure to take advantage and use it to dress up your house this Spring.
Paint the Front Door
As the main focal point of your property’s entranceway, the front door should really stand out and make a statement. A quick and easy way to do this is by giving it a fresh coat of paint, which is a good addition after a long winter!
It’s important to work with the current color scheme of your property, as you want it to enhance the entranceway rather than clash with what’s already there.
Make Your Driveway Pop
The driveway is the first impression of your entranceway so you may want to make a few changes to dress it up. This could be lining with lights or plants as mentioned above, or you could go for something more drastic such as getting a new surface, with staining, stamping, and etching all being great ways to breathe new life into your driveway.
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.
An automatic gate is a fantastic addition to any property. Providing controlled access to your home, a high-quality automatic increases privacy, security, and even the value of the property, making it a worthwhile investment for most people.
However, not all automatic gates are made equal. Just like any product, some gates don’t use the best materials, systems, or are just poorly constructed, often making them more of a hassle than they are worth.
Here are 4 things to look out for to ensure you get the best automatic gate:
Weatherproof Systems
You would think that every component of an automatic gate is weatherproof, yet this isn’t guaranteed, despite how important it is.
For example, the wiring that connects the various components together, such as the opening mechanism and control panels, should always be weatherproof as exposure to rain could lead to early failure.
The best gates used only 100% waterproof components to avoid this, so always keep an eye out for this when looking at the electronics, including wires and the control panel.
Control Range
Given the entire purpose of an automatic gate is to provide quick and easy access to your property, the last thing you want is for it to have too short of a control distance, otherwise it defeats the point of having an opener in the first place!
If the gate has a control range of under 3ft, chances are you’re just going to get annoyed by it. The more range you have the further distance you can control the gate from, giving you all the convenience, you were looking for.
The best remote controls come with ranges of up to 100ft and will make accessing the gate much easier, especially if it takes a while to open!
A Backup Battery
Most gates connect to AC power (although there are some exceptions such as solar powered gates), which means there could be an issue in the event of a power outage or any similar problems that could occur, rendering the opener useless until power is restored or repairs are made.
This can be incredibly frustration, which is why it’s recommended that you look for a system that includes some type of backup battery. Sadly, this isn’t standard with all automatic gates, so keep an eye out for a backup battery and ensure that is comes with a good size capacity.
Custom Settings
The best automatic gates allow you to customize the settings from the control box to suit your preferences. Lower quality models only have pre-set functions so are far more limited in their functionality, which is why it’s always better to look for a customizable control box.
For instance, the opening speed is often frustratingly slow, so with custom settings you could increase the speed, so it opens much faster and saves you waiting around too long. Other functions that can be customized include the waiting time, sensitivity, and the remote control, so it’s well worth looking for this if you want the highest quality gate.
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.
An automatic gate is a fantastic investment for any property. Not only does it significantly improve security by creating controlled access to your property, it can add value to your home while providing a stylish fixture at your entranceway, giving plenty of advantages and very few drawbacks.
Better still, there’s some things that can be done to improve the overall efficiency of your automatic gate after is has been installed, meaning you get even more bang for your buck with your new gate system.
Let’s take a closer look at 5 ways to increase the efficiency of your automatic gate:
Keep it Well Lubricated
It’s recommended that you lubricate the parts on your automatic gate every six months, although it’s often a good idea to do it more frequently. This is because a well lubricated gate is going to open and close with greater efficiency while reducing wear and tear, so it’s a simple bit of maintenance that can make a big difference.
There aren’t many parts that need lubricated either so its easy enough to do. Just check the chain, pully, hinges and screws, adding a drop of lubricant every few months to keep it running smoothly and efficiently.
Back-Up Battery
There are few things worse than dealing with an automatic gate during a power cut, which is why investing in a back up battery is highly recommended. This means that gate continues to operate in the event of a power out, with most spare batteries offering a few dozen open close cycles, which is usually enough to see you through until the power returns.
Improved Antenna
The antenna inside of an automatic gate usually has a range between 100-150 feet but you can increase this by adding an improved antenna into the system.
For example, a hi gain antenna can double the range of your average antenna in an automatic gate, meaning you can control the gate from even further distances, which is a big bonus for many homeowners, particularly those with longer driveways.
Additionally, an improved antenna is great for improving the performance of the gate system in rural or built up areas, which often have poorer signals.
High Speed Motor
A relatively newer addition the market, high speed motors can significantly improve the efficiency of your gate, making closing and opening much faster. This can be especially useful if your gate takes too long to open and close, which isn’t just annoying but also a potential security risk, as the longer it’s opened the more exposed the property becomes.
Internal Gate Controls
Many automatic gate systems come with an additional internal gate control, which is a fine addition to the system as it can improve the performance and management of your gate from the comfort of the house.
For instance, if you upgrade to a touchscreen gate and light controller, you can adjust the settings from inside, set automatic timers for certain days and hours for easier access control, and receive notifications of any possible faults within the system.
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.
