People usually ask me about electric gates for one of three reasons: security, the kids or the dog, or just being fed up getting out of the car in the rain. Security is the big one, so here's my honest take on what electric gates do – and don't do – to keep your place safe.
They put a line around your property
A closed gate makes it obvious where public space stops and your property starts. Most opportunist thieves are looking for an easy job. A driveway they can walk straight up is easy; a closed, solid gate isn't.
That's the real security benefit: you're not making your home impossible to get into, you're making it more hassle than the house down the road.
Your car and your stuff stay out of reach
Vans, cars, bikes, tools, the trailer – anything sitting on an open driveway is on show and easy to lift. Behind a closed gate it's out of reach, and with a solid infill it's out of sight too.
I see this a lot with tradespeople. If your van is your living, a decent pair of gates is cheap insurance.
Getting away with anything is harder
Even if someone does get over a gate, they've still got to get back out with whatever they've taken. That's a lot harder carrying a TV or driving off in a car when the gate's shut and locked by the motor.
Most good gate motors lock the gate when it's closed, so it can't just be pushed open. On bigger or heavier gates I'll often add an electromagnetic lock as well – see my page on gate locking mechanisms.
You decide who comes in
With an intercom at the gate, you can see and speak to whoever's there before you let them in. Cold callers, chancers and people "just checking your roof" tend to give up when they can't reach the front door.
You can also give out access in a controlled way:
- remotes for the family
- a keypad code for the cleaner or dog walker, which you can change any time
- app access so you can open the gate for a delivery from your phone, wherever you are
I cover these on my access control page.
Better security for businesses too
For yards, depots, farms and commercial sites, an automated gate controls who drives in and out without someone standing at the entrance. Paired with access fobs, ANPR cameras or a timer, the site locks itself up at night. I fit DEA System automation for most commercial gates and Fadini hydraulics where the gate is heavy or works hard all day.
Peace of mind with kids and pets
Not strictly security, but it's the reason a lot of my customers go for it. A closed gate keeps toddlers and dogs off the road. The gate needs to be fitted and set up properly with safety devices, though – a powered gate has to stop and reverse if anything's in the way. I won't fit a gate that doesn't pass force testing. More on that in gate safety and the law.
What electric gates won't do
I'd rather be straight with you:
- A gate is one layer of security, not the whole lot. Good locks, lighting and an alarm or cameras still matter.
- A gate on its own won't stop someone coming over a low wall or hedge beside it. Look at the whole boundary.
- Some people will tell you gates cut your insurance. Some insurers may take it into account, but don't count on it – ask yours.
Does it add value to your home?
Well-made, well-fitted gates generally make a property look more finished and more private, and plenty of buyers like them. I can't promise a figure, and an estate agent is the right person to ask about your area.
Thinking about gates for your place?
Every property's different, so the best first step is a chat. I'll come out, look at your driveway, and tell you honestly what will work and what it'll cost.
Call, text or WhatsApp Adrian on 07855 781433, or send me a message.
Questions people ask me
Do electric gates stop burglaries?
Nothing stops every break-in, but a closed, locked gate makes your property a harder target, and most opportunists move on to an easier one.
Can someone just push an electric gate open?
Not usually. Most gate motors hold the gate locked when it's closed. On heavy or high-security gates I add an electromagnetic lock too.
What happens to security in a power cut?
The gate stays where it was. You can add battery backup so it keeps working, and every gate has a manual release so you're never locked in or out.
Are electric gates safe with children around?
They are when they're fitted properly, with photocells and safety edges, and force tested to BS EN 12453. That's the standard I work to on every installation.