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.
Not only are automatic gates practical and convenient, but they are also an effective way of protecting a property. Even though they generally require little maintenance, there are some things that you need to do to avoid serious injury.
Here are 6 ways to avoid being injured by your automatic gate:
Call Professionals for its Installation
Even though it may seem that installing an automatic gate is easy, you shouldn’t take the risk. Automatic gates require detailed installation processes. A tiny mistake in installation can lead to a big disaster later. That’s why it is recommended that you call a professional automatic gate company for the installation of your gate. They will make sure that your gate is properly installed, and it doesn’t create any dangers for you and your family.
Check the Distance Between the Gate and Gate Controls
This is an important thing to keep in mind during the installation of an automatic gate. It is recommended that you check the distance between the gate and the gate controls and make sure that the gate controls are not located next to your gate. This is because if the controls are too close to the gate, you risk physical injury while trying to open it. As a general rule of thumb, the controls of an automatic gate should be located at least 6-10 feet away from the gate so you can open it safely.
Install Warning Signs
Most automatic gates nowadays have sensors, but if you have an older model, then it may not have the sensors to detect the person standing in the path. If that is the case, then it is very important not to touch the gate when it is opening/closing. You should install warning signs to inform your guests to wait until the automatic gate is fully opened before passing through it.
Educate Children to Not Treat it as a Toy
Children are usually fascinated with things that can operate remotely on their call. So, they might want to play with the remote control to open or close the gate for fun. But this could be dangerous, so it is recommended that you educate them not to treat it as a toy.
Proper Maintenance
Just like most other machines, automatic gates consist of several components that require proper check and maintenance from time to time. This is the only way to make sure that the gate continues to operate without issues and is safe to use. So, you should regularly check to make sure that no component of the gate is worn out, the barriers are functioning regularly, and all the fixings are properly secured.
Adjust the Safety Settings According to the Situation
When the automatic gate is first installed, the gate installation company adjusts the safety features according to the current situation around the gate. This includes fencing, buildings, vegetation, and other security aspects. However, if the situation has changed, then it could mean that the automatic gate is no longer safe. To ensure safety, you will need to adjust the safety settings according to the new situation.
Automatic gates are surely a blessing for homeowners, but certain measures should be taken to ensure safety of anyone who passes through them. The above-mentioned tips will help you in this regard.
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.
