No we will help you choose the best material to suit your wants and needs. We can discuss all options with you to give you a clearer understanding of steel & wooden gates and we'll also help with the design of your gates and how they will work. Once you have made a decision on which electric gate you would like, our fully trained and skilled staff will install and maintain your electric gates without fuss.

​Most electric gates are powered by your standard mains supply, if you have a mains supply close to the gate location, or maybe it will have to come from the property that is will protect. Solar energy is also an option and this will be discussed before our experts visit for a no obligation survey. With our systems we also offer you a battery back-up option, so you can have use of the gates even if the mains poser fails.

​State-of-the-Art commitment. There are many forms of gate control systems​ from simple push buttons for low security sites to bio-metric and VNPR (vehicle number plate recognition) There are intercoms that work with the mobile phone network, or the local internet connections. We will help you make the correct decision based on your needs.

Yes, The Electric Gate Company Ltd will use its own fully trained staff to visit on a planned maintenance programme ensuring your gates will always be in good and safe condition.

Yes and No, if you have a builder or ground worker you want to use then we will work with them to ensure everything runs smoothly.
We will supply them with detailed CAD drawings and even visit you with them to ensure they know everything they should. Or we can undertake the complete project from start of the project through to final handover.
Simply let us know what's best for you and proceed accordingly.

Choosing between wood, steel or aluminium is a vital consideration when it comes to finding your perfect gates. Some have an historical beauty to it while the other holds a more contemporary feel and structural values. It is an important decision to make for such an investment purchase and one that we can help you with here at The Electric Gate Company. In this blog, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of both materials. 

Steel is a mixture of several metals (this is called an alloy) but most of it is iron. Steel is harder and stronger than iron. Steels are often iron alloys with between 0.02% and 1.7% percent carbon by weight. Alloys with more carbon than this are known as cast iron. 

You’ll probably have spotted ornate iron gates on the entrance drives to many a stately home. They can be bespoke made with individual crests and designs woven into the pattern. When made in-keeping with the local surrounding, they add a decorative benefit to a property. Iron gates normally make use of steel components which, when placed together, provide strength and stability like no other. They will be galvanised and coated to protect against rain and rust, ensuring these gates last for many years.

​In terms of cost, iron gates vary widely in design and costs. This is due to the material chose, size and the level of decorative design. There is also the added value that they should need less maintenance than some other design materials risk that they can absorb extreme temperatures, Not True, making them uncomfortable to handle. And, they are weightier than other gate options, increasing the risk of damage on moving parts and treads. Not True!

These versatile and beautiful gates have their own undeniable charm. They can be constructed in a range of different Hardwood types natural grains and Treated with stains to suit your needs or the local surroundings. Many paints and stains will offer a degree of water and UV protection, extending their lifespan. They are a more environmentally sustainable option which is typically More expensive than iron gates.

Unlike their metal alternatives, wooden gates need regular maintenance to care for. They will need to be re-painted or re-stained whenever needed. They are more susceptible to damage from extreme weather conditions and regular maintenance is the only way to ensure they stand the test of time. It is also worth checking whether your wooden gates are properly treated to avoid insect damage.
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The decision on which gate to go for falls entirely to you. Consider the look you’re going for and the budget you have to hand. Take into account how much maintenance each gate will require and what you can afford to give. These considerations will help you make sure your gates continue to please year after year after year.

Here at the Electric Gate Company we offer a wide range of electric gates for residential and commercial premises including aluminium electric gates, wooden electric gates, sliding electric gates, metal electric gates.
For more information about our complete range of electric gates and automatic gates, including our bespoke design service and installation process, please see below...

Electric gates are no longer reserved for large stately homes or private road mansions. These days, you’ll see them everywhere from your neighbour’s house to that quaint bungalow down the road. The host of benefits is clear and is something that homeowners are becoming more and more aware of. The right gate can significantly improve your family’s quality of life, the value of your investment and the look of your home. Here at The Electric Gate Company, we have worked on hundreds of different sized, shaped and style homes to deliver custom-made electric gates to suit every need. So why should every home consider gating their property?

​Security
You may not have a 70” TV or a Rolls Royce sitting on the drive. But you do have the memories your family have made, the products that you’ve worked hard to purchase and your loved ones all under one roof. This is where the security of electric gates benefits every household. They are a deterrent against opportunistic thieves, presenting an additional hurdle into your property and the likelihood of an alarm too. Alongside standard house alarms, they physically stand between intruders and your home, locking securely once you’re inside or preventing entry when you’re out.

​Safety
Do you find cars regularly turning around on your driveway? Or, even worse, parking across the drive because of your close proximity to a train station? If you’re a family with small children or animals, having someone unknown driving on to your property can present a safety risk. The driver is unaware of the inhabitants and their daily activities. Electric gates are a barrier between unknown people and your home. They block off a safe area for children and animals to roam while putting the safety of your entire family first. In turn, clear signage on the outside of a gate advises drivers that a driveway is constantly in use and should not be blocked.

Reduced Insurance Premiums
Household insurance is calculated according to the risk factors your home presents. As we have mentioned above, electric gates are a deterrent for intruders and act as an additional barrier to your home. As a result, some home insurance companies are able to provide lower premiums or an overall discount for homes that have them. And doesn’t everybody need to save a bit of money here and there?

Range of Designs
As we make our gates from scratch, the scope of design possibilities is endless. This means that, no matter how compact the space, our team can manufacture an attractive and stylish gate for your needs. Forget the need to accommodate large, towering wooden beams. We have metal gates, aluminium gates and bespoke crafted gates that will feel like they’ve always been there.

Increased Property Value
As with any renovation that improves the security and look of your home, you can expect the value of your property to increase too. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll be on the way to one day purchasing the mansion of your dreams anyway.

Consumer Information - This information has been produced by dhf as a guide to ensure that you are aware of what your installer is legally obliged to do for your gate to comply with legislation and be safe, and what documentation you should receive from your installer for your records.
 
Advice For Domestic Owners of Automated Gates.
An automated gate is a machine and it poses potential risks to children and adults alike.  In recent years, there have been several deaths caused by dangerous gates along with countless serious injuries and near misses. Unfortunately, there continues to be lack of awareness and knowledge of automated gate safety with a proliferation of poorly trained, Ill equipped and unqualified installers operating illegally, particularly in the domestic market. There is an unknown number of dangerous gates still in service today, many of which are On domestic properties. If someone was to get injured by a dangerous gate, the owner could well be held liable.
 
By choosing a dhf member you can be assured that they are aware of the criminal laws that require automated gates are safe: anyone installing, maintaining, or repairing a gate is legally required to ensure the gate is safe.
 
New gates are required to comply with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations which bring the European Machinery Directive into UK law.
Further, anyone maintaining, repairing or modifying an automated gate is required by section 3 of the Health & Safety at work Act 1974 to ensure all works result in a safe gate.
 
In every case, a safe gate is defined as one conforming to or exceeding the requirements of BS EN 12453 :2017 and BS EN 12604-2018 which requires that:

•  Automatic gates must be protected by “touch sensitive” control either by rubber safety edges or intelligent drive units that will cause the gate to retract if it encounters an obstacle. The effectiveness of these must be checked using a force testing metre to ensure that forces are at a safe level.
• There should also be “light beams” across the entrance as a backup measure.
• Light beams must never be the sole protection measure, unless they form multi beam curtaining that prevents all possible access to the moving gate.
• Multi beam light curtaining is a little used technology in the domestic market due to its relatively high cost.
• A single beam of light is just too easy to defeat by standing astride or leaning over the beam for it to be safe.

​Where the gate creates a shearing hazard as it passes a fixed support element, wall or fence (very common with a sliding gate) there must be rubber safety edges or fencing to prevent access to the dangerous movement. These areas could alternatively be protected with a light curtain. 
 
Rather than use additional safety devices, smart design that eliminates changing hinge gaps and use of intelligent drive units can be utilised to provide the required level of safety.
 
The gate below uses a combination of careful design to eliminate hinge gap hazards and drives with built in obstacle detection. The gate will stop and reverse on contact with obstacles; this is backed up by light beams across the opening.

​You should also be provided with user instructions, safety warnings and maintenance instructions, together with a log book to record maintenance and repair activities.
 
In order for an automated gate to remain safe, it will need regular maintenance and safety checks to ensure that it will remain safe and reliable in service.
It is inconceivable to imagine an automated gate that does not require at least an annual maintenance visit and many systems will need more regular visits dependent on use, automation and safety devices in use.

dhf Automated Gate Group member companies  have all been trained and qualified to install, maintain and repair automated gates. They have agreed to work within a strict code and always operate strictly within the law.
Contact dhf to help find a company locally on 01827 52337, visit www.dhfonline.org.uk , or email info@dhfonline.org.uk and always look out for the dhf logo.

The Electric Gate Company offer high quality bespoke electric & automated gates for commercial and residential properties. Including aluminium electric gates, wooden electric gates, sliding electric gates, electric speed gates, turnstiles and barriers.
View our range of electric gates and automatic gates, including bespoke design service and installation below..

Please explore our range of useful operator videos below.