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Initial meeting to find out more about automatic gates

The first question potential clients always ask is “What do electric gates cost?” If you live in South Shields, Newcastle, Sunderland or Durham and are thinking about having an automatic gate installed and would like to discuss your requirements, Automation & Security would be very happy to give you some indicative costings, some free advice on the process and an idea of what is involved. Initially we will send you a draft proposal based on your requirements, we will contact you to discuss your thoughts and if our proposal is within your budget and you would like to explore the possibility of working together, we will arrange a site meeting.

At this meeting, we will explain the services we can offer, show you illustrations and photographs of our work and representative electric gate costs. We will discuss your requirements and we will talk about current access arrangements and the key areas you would like to change. We can then show you a computer visual of how your gates may look by taking a photo of your entrance and overlaying different styles of gates on our iPad or laptop.

We will then send you a firm quotation for the work outlining our understanding of your brief and our initial proposal for the cost of your new electric gate. We will also provide a separate quotation for extras that you may wish to include. These extras may include lighting, post boxes, an intercom, a house name plaque and pier caps. Depending on the complexity and scale of the project, we may need to consider adjustments when it comes to landscaping, railings, fencing, paving, walling, any steps, planting schemes and underground work. This will add to the project cost.

We have a showroom in South Shields where clients can see our wooden and metal gates in situ, along with gate automation and access control equipment. The showroom is by appointment only so as to ensure that our clients receive our highest level of personal attention.

Helping you make the right choice when it comes to your gate

Times have changed in the automatic gate industry. Not so many years ago, remote control automatic gates were considered a luxury item, affordable for only the wealthiest and suitable only for mansion type properties. Not so anymore! Technology and electronics have become part of our everyday lives and security has become such a major concern, people need to look at all options to effectively protect their homes and family. An automatic gate system provides a practical solution - plus of course it's a lifestyle product that enhances any property. However, having an automatic gate system installed is quite a major investment and there are many questions that should be asked before proceeding. If you are considering having an automatic gate system installed, read our guide below to help you make the optimum purchase.
What you should look for when selecting a company to supply and install your gates:

Find a company that is well established – if you have problems afterwards, you don’t want to find the company has disappeared. Any reputable company that knows its products should tell you everything that is printed here and more besides. They should be able to point out the pitfalls as well as the benefits. Find out if they employ their own installation engineers or use subcontractors. And ask them if they have any customers that would let you view their installations – if they are as good as they tell you they are, they will have plenty of customers who will be happy to oblige. And remember – local companies will normally offer a quality after-sales service. One extra point thrown in – make sure that you maintain your gates. A remote controlled gate is a large moving machine and needs to be treated accordingly! If your gate system is not lovingly cared for, it may let you down or worse still - become a danger to you or others! Please contact us today to discuss your requirements.
Why should you consider having gates at all?

Gates provide an effective deterrent to a casual trespasser and, indeed, determined intruders. As well as keeping unwanted visitors out, gates are an effective way of preventing animals and young children straying from the safe confines of home boundaries onto busy roads. And of course they help with privacy. Although many automatic gate systems may not be very secure, the fact the gates are closed can be enough of a deterrent when it comes to potential intruders.
Why have automatic gates instead of manual gates?

Bear in mind that 90% of manual gates are never closed (simply because of the inconvenience of having to open and close them, especially in inclement weather conditions), therefore most of the benefits of having gates at all disappear. Personal security is maximised as the gate can be operated remotely, so you do not have to leave the safety of a locked vehicle before accessing and securing your property. Plus it certainly is nice to stay in a warm vehicle when it is raining or snowing! Nearly all our electric gate systems are on a semi-automatic setting and will therefore close automatically after a preset time. So even if you forget to close your gate, there's no need to worry. A further point to remember is that automatic gates lock when in the closed position, unlike most manual gates.
What will be needed in terms of a power supply?

The standard domestic power supply is more than adequate to operate the vast majority of gate systems. The power supply will need to be in the vicinity of the gates and installed by a competent person with the latest regulations adhered to. It should be noted that the power supply may also be required to operate intercom and lighting systems tied into the automatic gate system.
Do you want to swing or slide?

The layout of your property will probably determine your gate choice, whether it uses slide-on tracks or swing-on side hinges. If your drive slopes upwards towards your house, this would prevent the installation of side-hinged gates that swing inwards, therefore a sliding gate would be the practical option. Sliding gates offer the highest level of security as swing gates can be vulnerable to determined ramming. The sliding gate system also takes up less room when operating and gives full driveway access even if approaching at an angle. Automation & Security can offer sliding gate designs in both timber and steel that accurately replicate many swing gate designs.
What style of gates will suit both your property and individual requirements?

Ask yourself what your main priorities are. If privacy is high on your list, then you would probably choose a closed face timber gate. If aesthetic appeal majors highly, look at ornate steel gates. For a thoroughly rustic effect, consider the multi bar timber range. When choosing between steel and timber, take into account that timber gates will need regular treatment, although modern wood stains are very effective indeed. We also offer timber gates in many different timber species if the colour and graining of the timber is particularly important.
What type of operating system will be the most suitable?

There are two types of operating system - electromechanical or hydraulic. Whilst hydraulic systems are quieter, offer greater wind resistance and generally tend to have a longer lifespan, they tend to be more costly. If wind force or the particular need for quiet operation is not a priority then look at the more economical electromechanical systems that are available. Modern materials and technology have certainly brought the 2 options closer together in terms of power output and long term reliability.
What access control systems will be appropriate for you?

Now the fun starts… the choice is so wide! Voice and/or video intercommunication links from the gate to your house allows you to speak to your visitors and see them at the same time, before you decide to allow them in - handy in many ways! Further options include key operated switches, digital pads to tap in your personal code, standard push buttons, handheld transmitters and even fingerprint recognition! But check out the prices, because the different access control options vary considerably in cost.
Should safety features be installed?

Safety is mandatory and must not be considered as an option. All automatic gates require a very reliable safety system. In the simplest form, this will mean the user visually checking that the entrance is clear before operating the gate. More sophisticated elements include the use of automatic safety devices. Photo beams detect vehicles and people and will not allow the gates to be operated until the area is clear. Alternatively, you can opt for an underground loop detector which will just detect vehicles. When the area is clear, the gates can be opened and will subsequently close automatically. Safety is very important where children are concerned as automatic gates never seem to lose their fascination when it comes to kids. Although there have been tragic stories recently involving children and automatic gate systems, it should be stressed that a properly specified automatic gate system should never cause injury or damage to any person or vehicle. And not only should the safety system be foolproof, it should also be regularly tested