How Safe Is It to Put Holiday Lights on Your Gate?

Automated electric gate

While you might be really invested into the festive spirit of Christmas, there are many concerns that have to be addressed when you install large numbers of lights all around your home and even on your gate and fence. The problem isn’t necessarily one of logistics and the amounts of lights you can install, as there are installations you can use for setting up thousands of lights and have them work just right. The main issue, however, is one of safety.

Now, safety isn’t a big problem when you set up your lights on the interior of your wooden fence, which doesn’t conduct electricity, or on top of your roof, where no one ever goes. However, the gate is an element that is frequently used in a direct way, and it can be a safety concern if you surround it with electric wires.

The main issue has to do with installing lights on a metal gate. Made worse by precipitation when the weather warms slightly and the ice and snow starts to melt, the electrical conductivity of the gate can lead to even the smallest electric discharge causing a short circuit and becoming a hazard for a passerby or a visitor. As a result, it’s usually best to avoid installing electric lights on your fence, unless you opt for just a few small LED colored lamps powered by low energy batteries. Talk with the professionals at https://www.rmacontrols.com/.

Should You Have Your Gate Serviced for the Winter Weather?

gate installation winter maintenance contractor

Your gate is among the few exterior elements that actually have moving parts. As a result, servicing it before the winter freeze arrives is usually a must, as it can be easy for gates to be affected by changing temperatures. Metal gates in particular tend to contract and expand when faced with temperature changes, so you definitely don’t want to come home one day and find that your gate is stuck because of the freeze.

Servicing your gate should involve checking all moving and electronic parts. The locks and the parts that connect your gate to the fence, as well as all the small electric and electronic components of your gate that make automatic and remote locking possible – if you have smart features installed – should all be checked.

It’s also a good idea to check the gate’s elevation from the ground and make sure that it’s at an appropriate height. Otherwise, precipitation and other environmental stressors can cause the gate to drag over the ground and damage your walkway.

It’s best to find a dependable gate installation Denver contractor who can not only evaluate the condition of your gate but also offer solutions for repairing or replacing it, if needed. Consider calling one of your local experts to take a look, and comparing their evaluations with the opinions of others before making your choice.

How Do You Clean a Metal Gate and Protect It from Environmental Stressors?

aluminum gates how to clean them metal rod iron

The secret to keeping your metal and aluminum gates clean and possibly also painting it can be a tricky task because it sounds simple, but it rarely is. The idea here is that you have to keep an eye out for rust and other potential issues that might come up. Your gate could have elements that might come loose as you wash it, and it’s possible that the water you use could accelerate the process of rusting certain areas that are no longer protected by paint. In such cases, you’ll have to ponder the situation carefully and make the call as to whether or not repainting your gate might be necessary.

The cleaning process should be done in two steps:

  1. First, use soapy water to gently remove all the dust and dirt. Then, once everything is clean, you have to check for rust and remove the rust by rubbing it with sandpaper. Since that process can cause your metal gate to become dirty again, it’s important to clean it a second time.
  2. The second process should be the same as the first one, using nothing but a cloth and some soapy water, then washing the gate again and rinsing it to remove any leftover debris, rust and soap.

Once you’re done with all that, you might notice that a lot of the previously rusty areas are now directly exposed to the elements, so it’s best to apply some primer and paint over it all, to ensure that your gate is well-protected.

Quick Fixes vs. Complete Replacements: Can You Have Your Old Gate Repaired?

gate installation company security

Can you have your old gate repaired? Even professionals will tell you at some point that you might be better off upgrading to a new and improved gate rather than trying to have the old one fixed. However, that’s not always the case. Older gates, like older fences, can still be fixed using the right tools and materials, depending on the extent of the damage.

It depends a lot on the material that your gate is made from and how damaged or worn out it is. When you have a metal gate, for instance, the discoloration and rust can be removed with sandpaper and by simply repainting the gate. Also, any areas where the gate was weakened or dented can be fixed with the right tools and with strengthening rods that can be fastened to it in order to increase its structural integrity.

Wooden gates can be broken or worn out as well, but the real danger is when they’ve been eaten by termites or severely affected by mold and mildew. In such cases, it’s usually best to have them replaced entirely, although depending on the extent of the damage, some damaged areas can be removed and replaced, while at other times, the damage can simply be scraped off and the gate will look brand new. If you are in the market for a gate repair or even an upgrade conduct a search for gate company near me to find someone close that can do annual inspections and keep it working as it should.

Are Solar Panel Automated Gates Reliable

solar gates automated reliable

The solar power supply kit for the gates consists of a photovoltaic panel and the battery box with load control circuit. It is used to power automation systems for gates, garage doors and street barriers located away from a power grid. Installation is simple and fast, with guaranteed reliable and economical operation. It can be installed anywhere, without the need for connections or digging work, even in places far away from the main electrical grid or with difficult access to it.

Other benefits that clearly make solar panel automated gates reliable:

-More energy savings and respect for the environment, thanks to free and clean solar energy: a smart and environmentally friendly choice!

-Low power consumption and the impossibility of power failure: long-term energy reserves, together with low automation consumption, guaranteed operation even for long periods of cloudy skies.

-Low consumption, more autonomy! Even during the night, or during long periods of cloudy skies, such a system works perfectly, guaranteeing comfort and safety.

-Ease of use: many solar panel automated gates also have an auxiliary power supply that allows a fast charge of the battery with power from the main grid, as an alternative to the photovoltaic module.

Be sure to conduct a search on gates and all of what is available in today’s market, as they have changed quite a lot and offering really great options, see https://www.rmacontrols.com/.

Commercial Gates to Secure Your Business

security gate commercial access control

Gates are necessary for both homes and commercial properties and can be made of different materials. Wrought iron is a common material used for commercial gates due to the high degree of security it provides. In addition, iron gates can also bring elegance to the property, considering that wrought iron is a versatile material that can be used to create awesome customized gate designs, according to your imagination.

Metal gates are also suitable for automation, which is definitely an advantage for access control Denver commercial properties. Automatic gates do not differ much from the classic ones, the only difference being the opening and closing system. Gate automation can be done with the help of special kits. Such a kit fits in small spaces, takes up little space and it is easy to use. The systems are operated by stations installed inside or by the remote control provided by the company that installs the sliding gate kits.

The opening-closing operation is fast, no matter how heavy the gate is, due to integrated solutions that make frequent use much more efficient.

On the other hand, the exterior appearance of a commercial property can be improved by a metal gate, thanks to the different styles in which these gates can be designed. Acquisition costs are affordable and depend on size and weight of the gate, installation is ready is no time and service is provided throughout the warranty period.

Upgrade your Gates and Fence to Secure your Home

gate automation home sliding gate secure

Any modern and comfortable home requires special protective measures, for the building itself and for the space around it. Greater attention must be paid to the gates and fences because these elements are important for the safety, security and privacy of you and your family.

Metal fences are probably the best option when it comes to security. They are very safe, on the one hand because it is quite difficult to be cut or damaged, and on the other because there are different models of fence panels, opaque enough to prevent prying eyes from seeing what happens on your property.

Unlike wood, which degrades over time because of the exposure to moisture and weather, metal fences remain solid and durable, even decades after installation, which makes them a very safe option that ensures your peace of mind.

As for the gate, it would be good to consider an automation system. Gate automation is available for both swing and sliding gates.

Check your gate and fence all round the boundary and make sure they are completely secure and able to prevent intruders from accessing your property. Make the necessary repairs promptly, as soon as you notice broken or weak areas.

Why The Common Turnstile Is Still Effective

turnstiles commercial improved security

A turnstile is a form of gate that allows one person to pass at a time and in one direction only, controlling access based on the insertion of a coin or coins or on the usage of special cards or bar codes. Turnstiles are most commonly used in heavy traffic areas and in areas where people stand in a line, such as at the entrance to stadiums, public transport stations, museums, public toilets, public offices or beaches and they are considered to be the most efficient tools for controlling access. Here are the benefits of turnstiles:

  • Improved security – turnstiles are often used as first control points for restricted entry facilities. The solution provides complete protection – everyone intending to pass through the turnstile needs to carry either the required entry card or, if entry is authorized based on tickets, the person who wants to pass through needs to prove the purchase of a ticket, otherwise the turnstile just won’t open;
  • Flexibility – turnstile systems can accommodate a wide range of credential readers, from card readers and fingerprint readers to retina scanners, reducing the workloads of the security personnel and increasing security in sensitive facilities. Many systems can also be programmed to allow access to particular people only during specific periods of the day and the data related to the entries and exits can be transferred to HR departments, thus it becomes easier for the HR department to track work hours.

5 Tips When Choosing an Automated Gate for Your Home

sliding gate installation automatic

Automated gates no longer belong to the realm of luxury – today, they are affordable, convenient solutions that make entry and exit easier and that protect your home from burglars. Here are some tips to make it easier for you to choose from the wide array of products available:

  • Entrance type – the two major types of automated gates are sliding gates and swinging gates. Sliding automated gates are your best choice if your driveway is sloping towards your building, if you have limited space available and if you require extra security;
  • The style of your gate – automated gates come in solid panel versions as well as in versions made from wrought iron, multi-bar timber or steel. If privacy is important for you, your best choice is a solid gate, while if aesthetics take priority, you can choose one of the more ornamental options. The range of the colors and textures available with both major styles is very wide – you can choose classic hues, such as black, white, cream, brown or beige, but bolder colors are also available if you want to make a statement with your automated gate;
  • Operating system and access control – in terms of operating systems, you can choose from quieter and more weather-resistant hydraulic systems and more economical, but somewhat noisier electro-mechanical systems. You have several choices when it comes to access control, the most common options being remote controls, key-operated systems and intercoms.