If you’re like most homeowners, you’re probably interested in improving your home security, privacy, and property value as much as possible.
In this article, we’re taking a closer look at how you can do all three with an electric driveway gate.
The Electric Driveway Gate
Are you looking to install a driveway gate on your property?
Then you need to look into getting an electric driveway gate. This style of gate is becoming very popular with homeowners, as they offer increased security, privacy, and curb value to your property.
Here are several benefits to installing an electric driveway gate.
Operation
An electric gate is simply a gate that is able to be moved without you having to do it manually. There are three ways that electric gates know that it needs to open:
- Via remote: You press a button on your remote control, usually kept in your car, and this signals to the gate opening device that it needs to open.
- Via keypad: When somebody puts in the right code on the keypad, the gate will open.
- Via sensor: If the sensor senses a car or person near the gate, it will open for them.
The method you choose will be the one that’s right for you. All three methods are good options, but you’ll need the one that’s best for you and your family.
Once the gate has been opened, it will stay open long enough for you to come through, and then will shut itself again. In some cases, this will lock the gate too.
Swing or Slide Gate?
You’ll see that you can get electric versions of both swing and rolling gates, so you won’t have to compromise if you want an electric version.
Which one should you choose?
Swing gates
These are the gates you think of when you think of the average electric driveway gate. The beauty of a swing gate is that they’re a very simple design, and they fit in with almost any home design. If you’re concerned with the way your gate will look, you won’t have to worry about it when picking a swing gate.
These gates are also good for most driveways. A single gate will often be enough to allow most cars in and out of the property. If you have a sloped drive, they will need to be hung so they open down the slope, but this is often not an issue. If you have a larger driveway entrance, you may need a double swing gate to cover the space.
Slide gates
This style of driveway gate is becoming popular too, especially with those who want an electric gate. Sliding gates will roll to the side to allow entry. They’re perfect for anyone who doesn’t have a lot of space on their driveway, as it doesn’t need that room to swing-out. Instead, the gate rolls alongside your fence so you need little room to install it.
Which Opening Method?
If you’ve decided on the style of an electric driveway gate, you’ll need to think about how you want it to open. The three methods described above are the most common, so which one works for you.
Remote
This method requires you to have a remote in your car, that you press a button on to get the gate to open. It works in a very similar way to the way a garage door remote works. These work with rolling codes to keep your home safe. The gate won’t open unless you have the remote that opens the gate, so you know you’re safe and secure.
Keypad
This is another great way to open your driveway gate. The gate will have a keypad next to it, which will only open the gate if the right code is entered. This is perfect if you have children and you don’t want them to have keys for fear of losing them. Team this with a keypad on the garage door and they can get in the house without ever needing keys. It’s also perfect if you need something delivered when you’re not home. Give the delivery driver the code, have them deliver the item, and then change the code when you get home.
Sensor
This option is best if you aren’t using the gate for extra home security. The gate will open as soon as someone comes near it, without you having to open it yourself. This does make life a lot easier when you’re coming home in the cold and dark. You won’t have to get out of the car to open the gate, as it will do it itself. It’s also safe as the sensor will not allow the gate to close until the path is clear.
Powering Your Gate
You have two options as to how to power your gate; regular mains power or solar power. Both options work perfectly, so the choice is very much down to personal preference.
A mains powered gate will be connected to your main power supply, so it will be powered 24/7. You won’t have to worry about it losing power, but you will need to dig up your driveway in order to connect it to the power. This may not be ideal for everyone.
The other option is solar-powered gates, which are also a great option for your home. These use a solar panel on your property in order to power the gate. It will take in power during the day, and then store it so you can use the gate 24/7. The benefits of these openers are that you don’t need to dig up your driveway, they’re eco-friendly, and they can be placed almost anywhere as long as they get enough sunlight.
Conclusion
There are lots of options when it comes to electric driveway gates. Firstly, you need to know whether you want a swing or a rolling gate. Then, you’ll need to think about how you want the gate to open, whether that’s by keypad, sensor, or remote. Then, you need to think about the power supply.
Once you’ve done all this, you’ll see that your gate is the perfect addition to your driveway. It will be ready at a moment’s notice to open ad let you in, without you having to do a single thing.