10 things to consider when installing electric gates

Part 2

In the first part of this two-part blog article we have tried to place much of the emphasis on using a professional gate manufacturer and installer when it comes to choosing the right electric gates. However while here at TPS Electric Gates & Doors Ltd we pride ourselves on the quality of all our wooden gates and electric gates, the service we offer our valued clients and customers goes way beyond basic manufacture and installation. Even before a design has been chosen and the manufacturing process has begun, there is a great deal to be taken into consideration that you may not have thought about or even never crossed your mind.

What we try and avoid is that situation where you say “I wish I’d thought of that before…” as hindsight is a wonderful thing. However with over 20 years’ experience in fitting electric gates, we are confident that we can cover every possible eventuality for you and ensure that once your new wooden gates or metal gates have been fitted, you will be delighted with them in every way possible. So, with regard to our list of 10 things to consider before having electric gates installed, let’s deal with the final 5 points:

• The location of your gates will have a big influence on the type of electric motor used. We have mentioned about wind, but water and potential for minor flooding also has to be taken into consideration. This comes not just from the point of view of being able to open the gates, but personal safety too.
• We don’t make the motors for gate openers ourselves but instead rely on their supply from only the best and most reliable manufacturers. We pay very close attention to the power of the motor to be installed, ensuring it is very much ‘up to the job’ of dealing with the size and weight of the installed new gates. It is important that a motor that is sufficiently powerful be used not so much for actually opening the gates, but to also ensure a long life-span of the motor too.
• While we have paid particular attention to the location from an environmental aspect, the topography and immediate terrain are also important factors. Often if the entrance is on the slope of a hill, then sliding as opposed to swing gates can prove to be a far more appropriate choice.
• Always make sure your gates can still be opened by hand. Yes, believe it or not it is possible to buy electric gate openers which are of such a design that when there is a power cut, you will be unable to open your gates. All electric gates installed by TPS are designed to be opened by hand during power cuts.
• Perhaps this might be seen as overselling our services, but it really does pay to have gates made and installed by a professional company such as TPS. We have been established for over 20 years now and the main reason for that is the quality of our workmanship and the value we provide to our clients and customers. The manufacturer of a mass-produced gate isn’t going to be worried about the state of your gate in 2 years’ time and you are very unlikely to get anyone to come and look at it once installed if there is a problem.