Menu
- 01745 798055
- info@censussystems.co.uk
Menu
Automated gates or Electric Gates are a great way to secure your home or property. They enhance the appearance and value of your premises, they bring convenience to your home or business and they increase the level of your security and privacy.
Automation is becoming highly sought after as it allows you to control who is accessing your premises and when in an efficient and convenient manner. You do not have to leave your property to speak to those requesting access or to let them approach. Gates keep unwanted visitors out, and they can keep you, your family or your employees safely on site.
Gates keep people out, but they can also keep people in. Being unable to force the gates open without permission allows you to keep a secure boundary around your home, stopping pets and children from going into the surrounding area or road.
People won’t be able to walk up to your property without permission, meaning that cold callers and passers-by won’t be able to gain access without you speaking with them first. Depending on the design of gate you prefer you can also reduce the visibility of your property to passers-by.
Most security systems can reduce the cost of insuring your property. Automated gates are no exception, with the Association of British Insurers saying that most insurers will give a reduction for household insurance on a gated site.
You don’t have to leave your property to give people access to or from the site. You don’t even have to travel to a set location within the property or be present on the premises – we can set up a system that contacts you via your mobile device.
Automatic gates can boost the value of your property significantly. They create a strong first impression to those entering your premises and can be designed and installed in any way that you want, finishing the look of your property to your specification. They give your property a feel of luxury, exclusivity and security, which is attractive to potential buyers.
Automated gates enhance the appearance of your property by making a personal statement – whether you prefer a rustic wooden aesthetic, intricate metalwork or a classic and simple design, you improve the appearance of your property with automated gates. Unobtrusive control panels and keypads finish the look and feel of the property stylishly.
Automated gates make entry to your property more difficult, using irreversibly geared motors to prevent people from forcing them open. They provide a barrier between your property and the road or pathway, clearly showing individuals that no unauthorised access to the site is permitted. For commercial properties, automated gates can present a strong barrier to those passing by, deterring vehicles and individuals from attempting to gain access. They also allow you to control the movement of vehicles on your site, especially important for companies with lorries entering and leaving the premises on a frequent basis.
A Cantilever gate is supported from rails that run along the inside of a fence structure. These gates are wider than usual slide gates in order to provide a counterbalance section along the fence structure where the gate is supported.
Because of this, cantilever gates provide no ground obstruction, making it a preferred choice for heavy-duty and industrial gate applications. A cantilever gate construction allows for overhanging structures without external bracing.
Automated swing gates have an electric arm attached to the gatepost and gate, which gives you the ability to control the opening and closing of the gates without having to physically push them open improving ease of access at your home.
Automated operation can be added to single or double leaf, made of metal or wood gates, providing convenience and increased security for your property.
Sliding gates use a track system where the wheels of the sliding gate run on a metal track set in a concrete footing on your property. Sliding gates are very popular options where the installation of swing gates is not feasible for securing your home, industrial & commercial property.
They are convenient, secure and they take up less room than a swing gate. These gates are highly customisable. You can decide size, material, finish as well as the drive system, and safety devices.
You need enough space for a swing gate to open – they arc outwards and vehicles will have to wait briefly whilst they request access and the gate opens, so if space is at a premium or it is difficult for vehicles to wait on the approach to your property, you may want to consider a sliding gate instead.
A swing may encounter issues trying to open on an uneven surface, and whilst the sliding gate takes up less room to open, the installation of a sliding gate’s track needs to be on a flat surface or the operation of the gate could be compromised. It may be that a cantilever gate would be better for you as they do not require rails to be fixed to the ground. We can come to your property to discuss which option may be best for you based on the surface of your driveway.
Whilst none of us have any control over the weather conditions, they can have an impact on the type of gate we would recommend for you. If your gate is in an exposed position and prone to strong winds we might recommend a sliding gate which would reduce the likelihood of the gates being blown open and the electric mechanism being damaged. If you live in an area which gets snow and ice in the winter then we might recommend a cantilever gate which will not be obstructed by ice or snow on the ground. These are all things which we will talk through with you if you are not sure which option is best for you.
Swing gates are relatively low cost, especially if you have an existing swing gate on your property which you are looking to upgrade to an automated gate. We’ll come out and have a look at the gate, and tell you whether it would be able to support the mechanism which will automate the gate. Sliding gates are a fantastic and visually appealing option, and are cheaper than cantilever gate systems as their frames are generally smaller and lighter. However, all types of gate can vary in price significantly, depending on the look and feel you want for your property, as well as the level of security required. We will come out and talk over all the options with you, based on what you want.
A sliding gate will require us to install a track on your driveway, usually embedded into the drive using concrete. This does lead to some disruption at your property whilst the gate is installed. We will always minimise this to as short a time frame as possible, and work with you to make sure this happens at a time to best suit you, but some disruption is inevitable. Cantilever gates usually have to be installed using a crane, due to their weight and durability. Some gate systems require ground loops to be embedded in the ground. Swing gates are simpler and more straightforward to install, but may not be suitable for your property. Whilst none of these are reasons not to proceed with getting an automated gate installed, it is helpful to be aware of the installation requirements of each option!
This is very important if your main reason for getting an automated gate is security based. All automated gates make access to your property more complex, as individuals have to request entry or have a fob or code to gain access. Automating swing gates will make forcing the gates open more difficult for individuals but would be more straightforward for vehicles whereas a sliding gate would provide an extremely difficult barrier against forced access by a vehicle. Sliding gates could possibly be lifted off their rails by a very determined attempt to gain unauthorised access to your property however (it is unlikely as they would require significant equipment to do this!), so if security is a real and significant concern then you may wish to consider cantilever gates which cannot be lifted. Please do remember than no single security system is a 100% foolproof way to prevent people from attempting to gain access to your property, but they can and do act as a significant barrier, which makes it far more likely they will be deterred from trying to gain access or be caught in the act of doing so.
Traffic control is a real consideration for anyone considering automated gates on their property. If you have wide vehicles (i.e vans or lorries) frequently needing access in and out of your property then a sliding gate system would be more practical in terms of space required for the gates to open.
Here are a collection of case studies from our work gallery. Our customers vary from small business to large commercial installations. We offer a diverse range of services to our clients, for more information about our services or if you would like a free no obligation quotation please get in touch.
If you have an existing system that requires maintenance or upgrade, or if you require a CCTV, Intruder or Fire Alarms, Access Systems, Automated Gates or you would like a survey.
Fast & Reliable Service
If you have an enquiry or would like to discuss your project, get in touch now, we are here to help.
