Although a stylish gate can add to your house’s curb appeal, the main reason to install entry gates is to bolster your home security. An automatic gate is the first line of defence against intruders. When accompanied by a sturdy fence, it can prevent burglars from targeting your home. In this article, the experience team at Creative Door™ provide some advice for choosing a secure gate for your property.

Opt for a Well-made Gate and Gate Operator

First and foremost, quality construction is a must. Residential gates can be made of steel, aluminum, wrought iron, glass, or wood. Although metal gates are the strongest, all types are strong enough to offer robust home security, provided they’re well-made. Two key factors to consider are durability and reliability.

• Durability. It’s essential that your gate offers the same level of performance year-round. It therefore needs to be able to withstand the elements (ice, snow, heavy wind, etc.) without significant wear and tear.

• Reliability. If your gate or operator becomes non-operational, even for a short period, this leaves your home vulnerable. Choosing a gate with a reputation for reliability is key. However, it’s also important that you stay on top of your gate maintenance. This means following the maintenance schedule provided by the manufacturer and getting your gate and opener regularly serviced by a professional.

Choose a Gate That’s Adapted to Your Property

Every property is unique and has its own distinct layout and features. The best performing gate — and therefore the most secure — is the one that’s been adapted to your particular property, whether it’s a sliding, cantilever, telescopic, or swing gate.

A key consideration is your property’s space constraints. For example, if you have a short driveway, a sliding gate will work better than a swing gate. Conversely, if you have limited space on either side of the driveway, a swing gate is a more suitable option. Telescopic gates are ideal if space is limited (these types of gates are made up of sliding panels that stack together when the gate opens). As for cantilever gates, they perform better than a sliding gate when the ground is uneven. Unlike slide gates, cantilever gates have a trackless design: the gates slide along post-mounted rollers and open and close without touching the ground.

To determine which gate is best for your property, get a professional to assess the situation. Moreover, be sure to work with a company like Creative Door™ that provides custom gate solutions.

Favour Gate Systems with Superior Security Features

The right gate operator will ensure that your gate system is secure. A quality gate operator is equipped with numerous security features that are essential for protecting your property. It’s a good idea to choose one that offers the following:

• Fire department compliance. This feature allows the gate to open when electricity is lost or the battery is depleted.
• Manual keyed disconnect. This allows gates to be opened manually in the event of a malfunction.
• Anti-tailgate. This feature prevents unauthorized access by ensuring that the gate closes swiftly behind your car.
• Anti-hacking technology. This type of technology uses encrypted signals to prevent hackers from opening the gate.
• Reversing sensors. This feature helps protect kids and pets by ensuring that the gate stops and reverses any time something enters its path while closing.
• Battery backup. This ensures that your gate continues to work during a power outage.
• Surge protection. This feature protects your device from voltage spikes caused by blocking or shorting.
• A telephone entry system. This connects your operator to your landline and gives you control over who enters your property.

Additionally, a Wi-Fi-enabled operator will allow you to remotely control and monitor your gate. This allows you to open and close your gate from anywhere using your smartphone. In addition, it allows you to monitor your gate and receive alerts whenever it gets opened. It also provides you with a complete log of gate activity with dates and times.

Have your Gate System Installed and Serviced By a Dependable Company

Your gate system has to be correctly installed in order to be secure. Work with a company that has experience installing top-quality custom gates, like our Kelowna or Vancouver teams. In addition, you’ll want to get your gate and gate operator serviced on a regular basis by a trained technician. This not only extends the lifespan of your gate by preventing excessive wear and tear, it also enhances your gate security, as it helps prevent sudden breakdowns and helps ensure that the security features on your gate continue to function optimally.

Custom & Secure Automatic Gates in Western Canada

Creative Door Services™ installs custom residential gates and top-quality gate operators. For a secure entry gate, trust our experienced team. Contact us for more information or to get a free quote today! We have eight locations across Western Canada to serve you better.