Driveway gates are a great addition to any home. Not only do they increase security and privacy, but they can also bring value to your property. Whether you’re looking to update or upgrade your drive with new gates, choosing the right product is essential; below, we have outlined the main factors to consider when choosing a gate.
Automatic vs Manual
When choosing the right driveway gate, it is essential to consider whether you want a manual or automatic gate. Both have many attributes to consider; this article outlines the main factors to consider when choosing a gate.
Automatic Driveway Gates – Pros and Cons
Automatic gates are an excellent option for properties that need constant entry and access. They allow you to enter and exit your property without leaving your car; this makes them convenient and time-saving. Additionally, automatic driveway gates can be fitted with control panels, increasing their ease of use and functionality. This also increases security and gives you ultimate control over who enters your property. For more information on gate control and access, see our article here.
What are the Advantages?
- Controlled by a button
- Opens automatically
- It can be paired with keypads and intercoms for additional security
- Time-saving and convenient
- Increases privacy
- Harder for intruders to overcome
- Longlasting
What are the disadvantages?
- Require more maintenance
- More expensive than manual gates
Types of Automatic Driveway Gates
There are many types of automatic gates with varying features and properties; here are some of our most popular ones.
- Sliding driveway gate- slides to open
- Telescopic sliding driveway gate- overlapping gates that slide to open
- Cantilever Driveway gates- sliding gate operated on rollers
- Swing driveway gate- swings to open
- Bi-folding gates- folds and unfolds to open
Manual Driveway Gates – Pros and Cons
Unlike automatic gates, manual gates must be operated by hand and cannot be opened using a fob or phone, making them more time-consuming and inconvenient. However, manual gates can still provide adequate security to your home; like automatic gates, they can be fitted with intercoms, keypads and locks giving you control over who enters and exits; they can also provide essential privacy and value to your property.
What are the advantages?
- Easy to maintain
- Less expensive than automatic gates
- It can be paired with keypads and intercoms for additional security.
- Increases privacy
- Easy to operate
What are the disadvantages?
- Less of a deterrent to intruders
- Have to be opened manually
- Not as convenient
Types of Manual Driveway Gates
There are many different types of manual gates with varying features and properties; here are some of our most popular ones.
- Sliding- manual gates that slide to open
- Swing gates – manual gates that swing to open
- Twin leaf gates – manual gates that operate on hinges
Choosing The Right Material
Metal vs Timber vs Composite
Another vital factor to consider when choosing a driveway gate is the materials it’s made from; the most popular are metal, timber and composite, each of which has its benefits and drawbacks. Below we have outlined the pros and cons of each material.
Timber – What are the pros and cons?
Wood is a great material for driveway gates as it is strong, long-lasting, and eco-friendly. It’s also simple to paint, stain, or personalize. However, since wood is a natural resource, it is susceptible to weather changes and can expand or contract. This means it needs more maintenance compared to metal or composite materials.
- Sustainable
- Strong and resistant to damage
- Easy to Repair
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Easily manipulated by the weather
- It needs to be repainted
- Not resistant to insect infestation
Metal – What are the pros and cons?
If you are looking for a timeless or traditional driveway gate, then metal is the material for you. Metal is a very durable material that is highly resistant to damage, making it great for security. Metal is also very versatile; it can be shaped, manipulated and designed to create patterns or motifs. However, one downside to metal is its temperature sensitivity, which means it can become brittle or soft in extremely hot or cold temperatures. It is also more expensive than timber.
Pros
- Low maintenance
- Strong and resistant to damage
- Versatile
- Customisable
Cons
- Expensive
- Hard to Install
- Prone to rust
Composite – What are the pros and cons?
If you are looking for a modern and contemporary style driveway gate, composite boarding is an excellent material. Composite is made from a mixture of wood fibre and plastic heated to create a strong and durable material. Composite has all the great qualities of wood but better; it is weatherproof, resistant to rot and is very low maintenance.
Pros
- Low maintenance
- Customisable
- Durable and weatherproof
- Resistant to insects
- Looks like wood
- Eco-friendly
- Resistant to rot
Cons
- Expensive
- Prone to fading
Choosing the right driveway gate can be challenging, but here at Essex Artisan, we can help you choose the right driveway gate. Whether it’s a wooden, metal or composite gate, we can customise, create and install bespoke gates to your liking.
Want to get started today? Give us a call or contact us here for a free quote.
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