How Automated Gates Have Evolved in Recent Years

electric gates great popularity

Today, automated gates come in an incredible variety of styles and types, some simple and consisting of only a sturdy door controlled with the help of a remote-control device, others complicated and integrated with the home’s smart system. This variety is the result of a long period of development and engineering research – here are a few things to know about the evolution of the automated gate:

  • Electric gates have been around since the 19th century – the very first electric gate was installed in 1881 and used in Canada, to control a railway crossing. The invention became popular very quickly and by 1884 it was already popular at the other side of the Atlantic, in France.
  • Continued popularity – electric gates continued to enjoy great popularity and they spread quickly too other areas. By the 1970s, automated gates were common in apartment complexes, and they gradually became the go to gate solution for single family homes as well.
  • Increasing sophistication – after automated gates have become commonplace known to everyone, engineers started to look into the ways to make gates more sophisticated. One of the ways to achieve that was smart integration, that is, the option to include the automated gate into the smart system installed in the building, suitable for being controlled from a mobile device.

How Do Electric Gates Work to Promote Better Security?

Gate Openers Safety Controlled

Electric gates are great for your organization for a lot of different reasons. They not only provide a more secure setting in which you can address and keep track of possible intruders from a long distance away, but also because they provide remote access and even allow you to set up the gate to automatically open for only those who have the right clearance.

An electric gate can do a lot of great things. It can open itself, allow for remote access, allow for various controls to be performed through your smartphone or a computer terminal and even be programmed for automation. A basic electric gate won’t have all these features, but it can still be practical simply through the fact that it can be as large and heavy as you want it, and you can still open it just as easily at the press of a button.

With an electric gate, you can be as selective as you want about who you let in and how you perform your security checks. The electric gate openers system can be adapted to your unique approach to keeping your property secure, and it can also be combined with special surveillance systems that include advanced sensors, security cameras, alarms and much more.

Why Gate Systems Are Not Just for the Rich and Famous

electric gates privacy protection

There is a certain misconception that gate systems are only for the rich. This is far from true, as there are many types of gates that are quite affordable. Also, in this day and age, as technology is getting cheaper, advanced security gates are now available to the general public at a much more affordable price overall.

If you want to get a quality gate, you’ll find that even a sturdy metal gate will be relatively cheap. All you have to do is check out the prices online, and you’ll see that even if some ornate metal gates are a little more on the expensive side, you can opt for a more basic design that still looks pretty “posh.”

Additionally, you can avoid metal and opt for a sturdy wooden gate which will be even more affordable and no longer as flimsy as some of the older gate designs that would be vulnerable to moisture and pests. Modern wooden gates are treated with superior quality compounds and coatings that will act as a shield against the elements and against just about any type of unwanted stressor that would normally diminish its lifespan considerably.

By opting for such a gate you can lower your expenses so that you can also have a more complex or advanced security and surveillance system installed to deter intruders and keep your property safer. There are a wide range of electric gate openers to choose from to effectively keep intruders out.

Do You Need to Get a Permit for a New Electric Gate?

electric gates installed new home permit

In most areas, getting a new gate actually requires a building permit. So, in order to install a brand new electric gate, it stands to reason that the same thing will be true. Of course, it’s not the same in every area, so let’s take a look at how you can find out about these details that so often get overlooked.

Most of the time, you can find specific documents on your city’s website which will tell you a lot about when a building permit is required and how to get one. Alternatively, you could find the information on the website itself, and you might even be able to get some help if you call the number to talk to one of your local officials or to a representative in charge of speaking to the public.

However, your best way to find out about the specific details of your area is to talk to the contractor that does electric gates install for you. They will already know where to look, and they’ll be able to advise you on what permits you need and where you have to look at the specific details and rules associated with switching to an advanced, hi-tech gate for your property.

When you install a new gate without a building permit – especially while adding advanced features and electronics that would greatly enhance the function of your gate – you could easily get in trouble. So make sure you talk to your contractor prior to installing a new gate, and find out if there are any additional local regulations that you’ll have to abide by as well.

Is an Electric Gate Really Better Than a Swing Gate?

electric gate entry systems gates

Owning an electric gate can seem like a great idea. However, electricity is still costly, and depending on the design of your gate, it can also be somewhat more problematic to install and use. On the other hand, a swinging gate is one that has a mechanic system that closes the door automatically when you’re not using it. The practical potential and affordable construction of this type of gate may quickly get you a more affordable and desirable product.

Of course, gate entry systems are certainly a good choice, and if you can afford them, you should definitely try to find one that suits you. Aside from the fact that they can offer you greater control and even allow you to access the gate’s locking mechanism remotely when you want, the fact is that many electric gate manufacturers also have the options of fitting gates with improved, smart communication and security systems that will allow you to screen and deny entrance to anyone you don’t want around.

All in all, both gate designs have their own qualities, and while electric gates are better in terms of control and advanced security, swing gates can also be designed with similar qualities in mind, and are also more affordable.

Will Your Metal Gate Rust in the Colorado Winter Weather?

inspection servicing slide gate

Colorado is notorious for being an extremely dry state. As a result, you might think that there’s nothing to fear in terms of having metallic elements rust, and your slide gate should be included in that category. However, despite being dry, Colorado has its fair share of precipitation, depending on where you live, and in the winter that precipitation can even become more dangerous for the integrity of your metal gate and fence.

As snow falls, it has a far better chance of “sticking” to parts of your gate compared to rain. Even though the dry weather in Colorado can lead to water evaporating easily during the summer or autumn, it won’t do the same for snow, especially since the difference in temperature is quite substantial between summer and winter.

As a result, fallen snow can freeze during the night, then as temperatures fall below freezing during the day, the ice can melt and negatively affect your gate, even leading to parts that are less protected by damaged coating being subjected to rust.

To prevent this from happening, it is very important to consider servicing your slide gate before the winter months and possibly repainting or adding a new protective layer of coating. That way, your gate will be protected from ice and water, and it will no longer rust upon the arrival of winter.

Will Your Electric Gate Stop Working if You Lose Power?

electric gates work when power is off
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Before buying any type of electric gates, a lot of people worry about the fact that, were they to lose power, they might have to cut their electric gate open just to get out of (or back into) their property. This is a common fear and misconception that is, however, very unfounded.

The design of most electric gates is such that, as you might expect, they come with a fail-safe mechanism that opens the gate if such a thing were to happen. As power is lost, the fail-safe, “manual release” is immediately activated, ensuring that you can manually open the gate if you need to. That way, it stays locked in the event that any intruders might try to get in, but it still allows you to have way of getting through.

This manual release mechanism is usually in the form of a common lock and key. Once you use the key, a mechanical device opens the gate as with any lock, and it allows you access. Then you can lock the gate the same way until the power is back on, so it will effectively continue to operate as an old fashioned gate, rather than shut itself up and lock you in or out without any option of opening it again.