There’s no denying that automatic gates are very impressive. Whether you’re looking for a striking visual feature for your home or you just want to increase the security, it’s hard not to feel a sense of safety once those security gates close behind you. But are they always the best option to protect your home? Today we’re going to go through a list of pros and cons of automatic gates, so that you can decide if they’re the right option for you.

The Advantages of Automatic Gates

Easy Access: If you opt for a more old-fashioned gate, you would likely have to get out of your car, unlock a padlock, drive through and then do it all again in reverse. Not ideal! Automatic security gates are much simpler to use-in fact they do all the hard work for you! So there’s no need to leave your car and face the elements to get home – just type a passcode instead.

Added Protection: Anything that operates as a barrier provides security, and a gate is a nice, solid barrier. It will stop unwanted visitors to your property in cars or on foot and will prevent intruders from looking in on your activities. It will also stop children or wild animals from wandering onto your property and causing damage to themselves or your belongings.

They Look Nice: Automatic gates come in a wide variety of designs and colours, which can add a touch of personality to your property. The right automatic gate can also increase the curb appeal and overall value of your property!

Off-Putting To Thieves: Generally, thieves will target the homes that look least protected. They want an easy life, and anything that makes it look like they’ll be caught is a deterrent. Security gates are an excellent example of this because while they could scale them if they were incredibly determined, that’s likely to gain a lot of attention and get them caught. If you fit cameras (either real or decoy) into the gates, this adds another way they could be seen and identified. So they’re much more likely to ignore your house in favour of something less substantially protected.

The Disadvantages

Passcode Problems: You can buy automatic gates that open and close in a few different ways, but the most common is a passcode pad. This relies on everyone in your family knowing and remembering the passcode. It can also present a security risk – if you have contractors, delivery drivers or other people who need occasional access to the property, giving them the passcode makes sense. But again, it relies on you remembering to change it when they’re done so that your security isn’t compromised.

It Can Be Climbed Over: Of course, a gate isn’t infallible. The top of these gates are open, which means that a particularly determined thief could scale them and climb over the top. You can get gates that are designed to be anti-climb, or tall enough to deter most intruders from trying.

Gates Are Expensive: Of course, gates are also expensive. The initial capital outlay can be anywhere from £700 upwards, and this can make them cost prohibitive. Not only is the gate itself expensive, and then you need a professional to install it for you. On top of that, your gates will need maintenance, which adds extra to the cost over time.

They Rely on Electricity: One big downfall of the automatic gate is their reliance on electricity. This is incredibly convenient but becomes a nuisance once the power is interrupted or off. When power is interrupted, the automatic gate will stop functioning. This can be inconvenient at best, and downright risky if you were to need the emergency services and they were delayed trying to get through the gate.

Overall, automatic gates can be a fantastic addition to your home security arsenal- if you have the right type of property for them. That’s why it’s always worth talking to a security expert when adding to your security systems. At Securifix, we offer a free home security review service, so that you can find out where the vulnerabilities lie. Our team can then design the perfect home security system to meet your needs – including automatic gates! If you’d like to know more, just get in touch with the team today.