Fences - Electronic Fence Gates
About Electronic Fence Gates
Introduction
Electronic fence gates have been rising in popularity as homeowners are realizing their benefits and value. Being the only moving part of your fence, the electronic gate provides easy access for those permitted to enter your property and allows you to control who else goes in. This way, your fence still serves its purpose of defining the boundaries of your home, while the electronic gate allows for trouble-free entrance and exit. Benefits of Electronic Fence Gates
The first and foremost benefit of electronic fence gates is security. Even if you have a high fence around your property with a high gate, this is not enough merely because you can never guarantee the gate is always locked. A good set of electronic fence gates at your front drive that automatically lock can be a major deterrent to burglars. Automatically locking gates will also ensure that your children and pets don’t wander out. Adding a surveillance camera can also improve your security.
The next benefit is privacy. Since electronic fence gates control access to your property, you can keep unwanted visitors out, such as door-to-door salesmen, job hunters, potential burglars, or just nosy individuals. Using visual or audio communications help identify your visitor before letting them in. The gates will also prevent your driveway from being an unauthorized turning or parking area.
Another benefit is that electronic fence gates are very convenient. Many homes have gates that are hardly ever used just because they are too much trouble to manually open and close. These gates end up being used as a decorative feature only. With a set of electronic gates that open with a handheld remote control you can pull up your driveway, and with the press of a button your gate will automatically open allowing you to enter. Lastly, an electronic fence gate enhances the appearance of your home and the status of your property. Both which are good selling points for your property.
Installing Electronic Fence Gates
To install an electronic fence gate there are two options. You can do it yourself or have it professionally done. If you have the DIY skills and the time, then there’s no harm in giving it a shot yourself. You can find all the parts needed and there are even complete kits that electronic fence gates come in.
Professional installation is the easy but more expensive option. A good professional installation will cost at least $6,000 after everything is taken care of. A good electronic fence gate installation company will take you through all the steps of designing a gate system and the installation process, including fitting an electric gate motor and safety devices. They can also help in arranging maintenance and should be able to offer a repairs service. How Electronic Fence Gates Work
An electronic gate opener works similar to a garage door opener. A radio signal is sent from a transmitter (e.g. keypad or remote control) to a receiver box which is wired to a control box. When the signal is received, the control box activates a circuit that causes the gate opener arm to either open or close. It will reverse if it hits an obstacle or stay open if you instruct it to.
Understandably, you need a big enough driveway to give space for the electronic fence gate to open into when a car pulls up. For limited spaces, it’s best to go for electronic sliding gates rather than swing ones. If you already have a manual gate then it’s possible to replace it with an electronic fence gate or you may keep the existing gate and just attach an electronic gate opener to it.
