Electric gates are metal or wooden gates that open and shut automatically by using a remote control device, mobile phone app or keypad passcode.
Electric gates are becoming more sought after in Scotland for many reasons. One reason is the need to heighten security to prevent vandalism and theft and another is to keep our kids and pets safely behind the gates. Another great benefit to electric gates is increased convenience. Due to the weather being harsh (harsher than most I may add) in Scotland, exiting your car to manually open your gate is not the most comfortable experience so having an electric gate that you can open from inside your car is ideal.
Electric gates are fitted with either two of these automation systems:
Electromechanical systems
- The power which operates the electromechanical opener comes from your main electricity supply.
Hydraulic systems
- Hydraulic systems are given this name as they use hydraulic fluids to operate the opening process of the gate.
- They are very powerful and are usually used for large heavy gates
How do I open my electric gate?
Electric gates can be opened in 4 ways:
1) By using your own personal electric gate remote control you just have to click a button and the remote will send a radio transmission to the gate and it will open automatically for you to enter. The electric gate remote control, or ‘fob’, is small and simple to use. Once you have entered your property, you can just park your car and the gates will then close automatically behind you.
2) A voice or video intercom system is placed outside your electric gate. When you push the button on the intercom, a buzzer inside your house will alert you that someone is wanting access to your property. The visitor will speak into the intercom and once you are happy with who the guest is, you press the button on the box and the gate will open for them.
3) Your intercom system may also have a keypad on it. This allows you to create your own numeric password which will allow you to enter your property if you have forgotten your remote control opener.
4) You can manually open your gates with a personalized key in case of a power-cut
What is the installation process?
- Call us to arrange a free call-out in order to assess the area, measure the space, assess the groundwork needed and security needs, then generate a quote for you
- Then you will choose the design and style of automatic gate you want wither it be from our portfolio or one of your bespoke designs
- Manufacture the gate in our workshop and begin ground work
- Galvanise the gate to ensure it is not susceptible to accidental damage and weathering
- Paint the gate with a weather proof paint that eliminates flaking and rusting
- Hang the gates after cabling and ground work
- Complete access controls and hand over keypad password and automatic gate remotes
How safe are automatic gates?
The Health and Safety Executive has encouraged all installers, designers and manufacturers of electronic gates that there is new safety advice, therefore we at Abbeygates follow these guidelines.
HSE’s Director of Field Operations said this: “Electronic or automatic gates are designed to stop if someone gets in the way, and installers and those maintaining these gates have a real duty to ensure this happens.They must take their responsibilities seriously to make sure that anti-crushing, shearing and trapping safety protection devices are correctly set and maintained.”
How will my automatic gate be protected from damage and rust?
We always recommend galvanizing all of our electric metal gates to ensure longevity and durability. Even though metal (especially wrought iron) is not very susceptible to weathering (unlike wood) we will still recommend protecting them. Galvanizing is the process of coating metal with a thin layer of zinc at a temperature of 460°C. When exposed to this atmosphere, the zinc reacts with oxygen to form zinc oxide, which then reacts further with carbon dioxide to form zinc carbonate. Galvanizing prevents steel and other metals from corroding which can cause rusting. We will then paint the surface with a weather proof paint to avoid chipping and flaking.
Electric gates are becoming more usual throughout the UK. Gates can come in all sorts of styles and prices. Entrances to our homes are becoming increasingly more important whether it be due to security, safety, controlled access, or to enhance the appearance and value of your home.
Call us now on 01294 835294 to arrange a free call-out service