There has been an increase in robberies of empty houses during the past few years. In just a few hours, thieves targeting your prized possessions can attack any properties left unattended. That’s why it’s important that every home has security gates.
It’s not enough to have a security-guarded door installed, even though it can prevent intruders from forcibly entering the house. It’s better to have security gates as well since these will serve as your first line of defense against intruders and would-be thieves. That said, if you’re planning to purchase new security gates or you’re just replacing an existing one, these are the things you need to consider beforehand:
1. Purpose
Whether you’re looking for a security gate for commercial or residential property, it’s important to first identify the purpose of the installation. This will help you figure out if you need to focus more on aesthetics, safety, or both. You’ll find it easier to narrow down your choices after that.
2. Style
Security gates should go well with the overall style and theme of your home. Most homeowners prefer to have their gates customized to match the design of their property. There are companies that offer aluminum or galvanized steel gates that can be constructed according to the homeowner’s specific needs and design request.
3. Space
Before having security gates installed, ask yourself how much space your property has. The space you have will determine the type of security gate you should get. For example, there should be ample space to either side to accommodate a sliding gate. If the ground is uneven, a gate that swings open wouldn’t be a good idea.
Allow your installer to take measurements so that they can assist you in determining the most ideal type of security gate.
4. Type
There are different kinds of security gates, but the ones listed below are those that are used most often:
Swing Gates. When you think of a traditional driveway, chances are you imagined a swing gate in front of it. There are three types of swing gates – single swing, double swing, and bi-fold swing.
From the names, you can already guess that a single swing gate has only one “door” or “gate leaf” that opens, while a double swing gate has two which can be installed to swing open in either the same or opposite directions.
The bi-fold swing, on the other hand was designed with today’s smaller and smaller properties in mind. Because of space constraints, the usual swing gates would take up a lot of space. The bi-fold swing gate, however, allows homeowners to have an automatic gate while still having room to park their cars.
Sliding gates. These aren’t seen as often as swing gates, but they’re very useful for driveways that are on an incline or otherwise uneven ground. Rather than swinging open, they slide to one side or the other. Tandem or telescopic sliding gates are another type of sliding gate, and they’re expertly engineered to retract into even the most compact of spaces.
When it comes to security gates, you’re sure to find one to suit your needs as well as your budget, with the many colors, materials, and styles to choose from. Just remember the above tips so you can find the best type of gate for your property.