Enhance Your Property’s Elegance and Security With Driveway Gates
Looking for a home security investment that also offers elegance and style? Residential electric gates in Bedfordshire may be the perfect answer. Driveway gates continue to be one of the most popular security choices with homeowners who need peace-of-mind that their family is properly protected. 1st Choice Security Systems offers the experience, expertise, and extensive range of styles to help you find the perfect automated gates for your property.
1st Choice Security Systems is a local provider of residential electric gates in Bedfordshire since 2006. Our bespoke electric gates are tailored to your home’s style and aesthetic and precision fitted to make them an effective deterrent to intruders, trespassers, and unwanted visitors. In this article we introduce the range of gates we design and install and outline the level of service we offer to our customers.
Why Choose Residential Electric Gates in Bedfordshire?
Security is a priority for homeowners; our electric driveway gates provide an added layer of protection for your home, offering an effective deterrent to potential criminals. When integrated with a video or audio entry system, they give homeowners control over who accesses their property. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your family and property is protected.
Forget making a dash in the rain to manually open your driveway gates. 1st Choice Security Systems automation provides the convenience of opening your gates from inside the car, or the house, and there’s a manual override should you need it. We offer a range of entry methods, including card swipes, remote control fobs, or keypads.
There are plenty of practical reasons for choosing electric gates, but our clients also appreciate the stylish welcome they provide. 1st Choice residential driveway gates enhance the kerb appeal of your home, turning heads as well as securing your property. We create elegant gate designs fashioned in aluminium, wood, steel, or wrought iron, expertly finished to integrate with your property’s style and colour scheme.
Made to Measure Bespoke Residential Gates
If your gates don’t fit your driveway perfectly, they won’t look as good as they could, or offer a proper deterrent to intruders. Our gates are designed to fit the dimensions of your driveway. A 1st Choice designer will make a site visit, and carry out a free security audit, in order to offer expert guidance when collaborating with you on the positioning, operations and style of your gates.
What Will Your Automatic Gates Look Like?
When designing residential electric gates in Bedfordshire, 1st Choice designers focus on two key factors: how the gates will operate, and the material they’ll be made from. We listen carefully to clients to find the perfect gates design that will both match their property and their security requirements.
1. Swing or Sliding Gates?
The option of swing gates or sliding gates may be influenced to some degree by the dimensions and elevation of your driveway:
- Swing Gates require a driveway with sufficient depth to accommodate the gate’s arc as it opens inwards. If space is restricted, a bi-fold gate may offer a perfect solution as it reduces the depth required and increases the opening speed. Swing gates work best for non-inclined driveways with plenty of depth.
- Sliding Gates are ideal for driveways built on an incline. They glide horizontally, requiring no depth, but lateral space on one or both sides of the driveway. The sliding gate is a practical and elegant choice for properties with limited depth but sufficient width.
At 1st Choice Security Systems, we design residential gates for unique driveways. If you require electric gates for a small driveway, we offer customised solutions to ensure your gates perfectly fit the space available without compromising on functionality or style.
2. Metal or Wooden Driveway Gates?
There are plenty of options when selecting the material for your residential electric gates in Bedfordshire. We guarantee that you will be able to find the perfect match for your home:
- Wrought Iron Gates first became popular in the 18th century. The exquisite filigree designs are both elegant and appealing, while still offering the strength, durability, and robustness to make them secure.
- Hard or Soft Wood Gates are a favourite choice for anyone looking to give a traditional welcome to guests entering their driveway. The warmth, solidity and natural elegance of wood enhances the overall aesthetics of your property.
- Aluminium Gates provide a sleek, modern feel that works equally well with new or older properties. Despite their lightweight construction, they boast remarkable strength and durability. Additionally, they require only minimal maintenance.
Whatever you opt for material, 1st Choice Security Systems guarantees exceptional craftsmanship and quality, delivering driveway gates that perfectly complement your home’s style and aesthetic.
How Durable are Driveway Gates?
1st Choice Security Systems construct driveway electric gates that are designed for long-lasting durability. Nevertheless, they’re exposed to the relentless forces of weather day in, day out. To maintain their peak performance, we recommend regular electric gate maintenance in order to extend the lifespan of residential electric gates in Bedfordshire.
By opting for scheduled gate maintenance, you can be sure that your investment will continue to deliver on its promise of security, convenience, style for at least a decade. Our maintenance services ensure that the mechanisms remain in excellent condition, guaranteeing reliable and efficient operation at all times, no matter the weather weather.
Working With 1st Choice Security Systems
1st Choice Security Systems understands how important it is to be able trust installers fitting automatic gates for homes in Bedfordshire. All our engineers are DBS checked, SafeContractor approved, and SSAIB approved. We use a job management system to ensure maximum efficiency and we work to the ISO2001-2015 standard.
Automatic Gates For Driveways – FAQs
Is Planning Permission Required For Automatic Gates?
When installing automatic gates, you need to be aware of certain regulations to avoid any legal complications. Here’s a clear description of those regulations:
- Gate Orientation. Your gates should open inwards towards your property and never outward onto the road.
- Height and Location. If automatic gates are entirely located within your property boundaries and stand less than 2 meters in height, you generally do not require planning permission. If the gates are situated next to a highway, though, they should not exceed 1 meter in height.
- Replacing Existing Gates. Replacing an existing gate in the same location does not need planning permission so long as the new gate is of the same height or lower than the original. However, if the new gate is higher than the previous one, you will need to seek planning permission before proceeding.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can confidently install automatic gates without the need for planning permission, as long as your gates comply with the height and location requirements specified.
Some local authorities require planning permission for electric gate installations. To be on the safe side, it is best to check with your local council.
Can Automatic Gates Be Opened Manually?
At 1st Choice Security Systems, all our residential electric gates in Bedfordshire have a manual override feature to handle power outages. If there is a power cut, the manual override will disengage the motor and lock mechanism, allowing you to open and close the gate by hand.
How Long Do Electric Gate Motors Last?
Regular servicing of electric driveway gates is essential to maintain the motor in optimal condition. Scheduling an annual service, ensures the longevity of the gate’s motor, enabling it to function smoothly for longer. With reasonable daily usage (approximately 10-15 openings/closings), there is no reason why a well-maintained gate shouldn’t last for around 15 years.
Do Electric Gates Use a Lot of Electricity?
Electricity use is minimal. When on standby, electric gates use approximately 100 watts of electricity in a 24 hours. When active, they use around 700 watts.
The average cost of electricity per annum for a set of driveway gates in regular use (10-15 times per day) would be around £15.
Do Automatic Gates for Driveways Need Safety Edges?
Safety edges, or rubber contact strips, are an indispensable feature for any gate that might present trapping, shearing, or crushing hazards. These pressure-sensitive edges serve as a safeguard by detecting obstacles on contact. When contact with an object or person is made, they instantly signal the gates to halt and reverse, ensuring a mitigation of danger.
How Much Do Electric Gates Cost?
The cost of installing bespoke electric residential electric gates in Bedfordshire depends on the size, style, material, and finish selected. 1st Choice Security designers make a site visit and talk through the range of options with you. We provide a free no obligation quotation for your chosen driveway gates.
In need of CAMESAFE CCTV systems?
Our CAMESAFE Installers have vast knowledge and experience to be able to offer the required security solutions and automation safety for all our security systems.
Would you like to speak to a 1st Choice engineer about installing residential electric gates in Bedfordshire? Call us today on 0800 1182414.
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