Customisation Options For Automatic Gates

A metal, automatic gate contributes to your home's security and its aesthetic. Before installing one, you'll need to consider several factors such as its material, style and opening mechanism. Following are several options to weigh up. 

Choose The Metal 

Two common metals for automatic gates are aluminium and steel. Being outdoors in all seasons, these barriers need to cope no matter what, to sun, rain, hail and possibly snow. One benefit of aluminium gates is that they naturally repel rust due to a protective oxide film. If you live near the coast, an aluminium gate will deal well with the corrosive salty air. 

More weighty and heavier than aluminium, steel is notoriously durable as evidenced by its use within immense structures like bridges. Some varieties of steel, however, can rust. Stainless steel is one corrosion-resistant form, buffered by its high chromium content. Other types of steel gain protection from a layer of zinc, a result of a galvanising process. Powder coating not only gives the metal a hard, decorative polyester-paint finish but also shields it from moisture. Both aluminium and steel come in marine grades, which offer exceptional durability. 

Select A Style

For your automatic gate, you'll need to select a style that harmonises with your home's architecture and landscape. Tubular forms consist of a series of vertical bars and horizontal rails. Their arrangement can be straightforward as in a flat top model with unembellished horizontal rails. Loop-top gates have a decorative curving effect, with each metal tube arching over. Double top styles feature decorative metalwork within two horizontal bars, and embellished spearhead models mimic beautiful ironwork. Tubular metal gates can be gracefully arched or shaped. Another metal gate-type consists of multiple horizontal flat slats, which vary in width and spacing. If you're after privacy, slat gates provide varying levels.

Pick An Opening Mechanism

Your gate not only must look good and protect your home, but it needs an opening mechanism. Swinging gates provide a traditional option, but they need a level ground to open efficiently. With two gates opening outwards on either side of the entrance, they create an elegant aesthetic. If your driveway slopes, you could install sliding gates. Because they glide neatly to the side, you can park as close as you wish to the gates before opening. However, you do need space along the fence into which they can move. Both opening actions offer a range of operating modes, including manual operation, or using a remote-control device or keypad. 


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