- Swing
- Slide
- Boom
Having a secured gate brings you comfort and peace of mind, knowing you’re safe from unwanted visitors. Depending on your circumstances and need, the choice becomes- do you need an automatic gate or a manual gate? There are advantages to both types of gates, and with this article we’ll lay them out for you so you can make an informed choice. And when you’re ready, give the Gate Opening Systems team a call and we can install a fine looking gate for you.
This first consideration can be an easy one. If and when your gate is positioned at a commercial or an industrial location, you would install an automatic sliding gate. This allows better security and monitoring of who comes and goes. It’s also not a good look if visitors arrive and they have to open the gate themselves before entering your premise.
If you’re installing a gate at a residence, the choice is different. A manual gate might suit your budget or your aesthetic. Think of a rural property with a solid wooden fence you have to open manually. Or, for some inner city private locations, the automatic gate works better, without the need of getting out of your car.
A manual gate provides a simple barrier. If you have an area with very infrequent access, even at a commercial location, it might be a better option to have a manual gate. There may not be a need to spend as much money for an automatic gate, if that access point is barely used, which brings us to budget.
This is the second big consideration you will have for your gate. While you may wish to have an automatic gate in Melbourne, your budget may push you towards a manual gate.
Manual gates are more affordable as they are simply hung and latched. They have hinges, or they slide, but as you are the one doing the moving, the cost is significantly less.
Automatic gates have electronics, for codes or scanning entry cards, and mechanical components to open and close the gates. Naturally these cost more. The installation of an automatic gate is also higher than a manual gate.
While you can physically lock your manual gate, better security can be obtained through an automatic gate.
Security is more than just keeping people out. Automatic security gates can monitor who comes and goes through swipe cards or individual entry codes. You can lock people out and deny them access by cancelling both the swipe card and keycode access.
Manual gates can have their locks picked or cut, and then opened manually. Automatic gates, however, have their opening motion locked, mechanically, and will only work if the right key card or code is entered. You cannot manually open an automatic gate.
In a similar vein to security concerns is the ability of who you let in through the gate. Manual gates don’t have this restriction. If anyone can open your gate, then anyone can come into your residence.
Automatic gates, however, can restrict entry to anyone you deem unfit. This can be done by locking out their credentials, blacklisting the licence plate of a car, cancelling electronic IDs, however it is someone logging in through an automatic gate. This can also be done remotely, which is a huge convenience.
Something you need to think about going forward. Obviously a manual gate is easy to maintain. Check it for rust and a bit of wear and tear over the years, make sure the hinges are good and oiled up.
Automatic gates however need a much higher maintenance plan, often done by a professional. All the moving parts need to be regularly serviced, potentially the software for the keycard or number pad may need to be upgraded too.
The control hub of an automatic gate will need regular servicing to make sure it doesn’t wear out.
Also, if ever the power goes out, this might make your automatic gate fail to open. So ensuring the maintenance on all connected systems is up to scratch can also cost you.
It is much more convenient to lean out of your driver’s side window and tap a card than it is to get out of your car to unhitch a gate, open it, drive through, get back out and close it again, before driving on. Even writing that sentence was a longer process than tapping a card on an automatic gate and driving through.
This convenience is heightened if the weather is particularly bad. While you might get a little wet and bothered leaning out of your window, that is nothing compared to getting out in the terrible weather to open a gate.
Further to that, with licence plate scanning technology, you might not even have to wind your window down to open a gate. It can open automatically for you, leaving you warm and dry inside your car.
Automatic gates can provide a much more secure environment for both our children and your pets.
Resourceful children may be able to unlock or unlatch a gate and exit your yard, bringing their dog with them, and wander off.
This is not possible with an automatic gate. Unless there is a manual override or a button to press on the inside, the automatic gate needs approval to open.
This can give you peace of mind and a lot less stress, knowing your kids are outside playing in the sun and not able to escape the yard and onto the road beyond.
Adding a gate to your home will make it more secure. Insurance companies like when your residence, or your commercial and industrial property is more secure. This can bring your insurance premiums down, saving you money.
An automatic gate is arguably more secure than a manual gate, and this factor could bring your home or property insurance down further.
Additionally, for business parks, commercial or industrial locations, the installation costs of a new security gate could be considered a tax deduction as part of your business, further saving you money.
Having a gate at your home, or at your place of business, can bring a sense of security and safety. Being able to control who you let in, and when, brings peace of mind. Choosing between a manual gate or an automatic gate is based on your specific wants and needs, and what you can afford now, and ongoing.
The friendly team at Gate Opening Systems can install both manual and automatic gates at your convenience. Simply contact us online, or call 03 9305 3034 to talk about what you need.
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