Gate operator buying guide
Does your gate swing or slide?
- A swinging gate opens the same way as the doors inside your house. Sliding gates have wheels and open to the sides.The length of your gate will determine which gate opener is ideal. You’ll want to make sure you note the size of the gate.
- Some gates have two pieces that open to either side, whereas others are all in one piece. There are different automatic gate openers available for single-swing versus dual-swing gates. Make sure that you’re choosing the correct opener for whichever type of swinging gate you have.
- Many swing gate openers are designed for dual gates with “leaves” up to a certain length. For example, you need a different model for a gate with twenty-foot leaves than for a gate with twenty-six-foot leaves.
How heavy is your gate?
- Gate openers are generally designed to only work for gates up to a certain weight. This can depend on what material your gate is constructed from. In particular, wrought iron can be especially heavy, so you’ll want to take that into account.
Do they open and close with ease?
- Some driveway gates require more effort to open than others, and you’ll need a gate opener with enough power and torque to open your swinging gate successfully. Some gates are hard to open because they’re low quality, damaged, or poorly designed. A gate opener can’t necessarily make up for that. However, if the gate is hard to open because it’s heavy, a gate opener designed to handle heavy gates should work very well. If in doubt, you can always check out online reviews of the particular gate opener that you have in mind.
Gate operator power source.
- Gate openers for both sliding and swinging gates can be powered by AC, or “alternating current". If you’re looking for an AC powered gate opener, you’ll want to make sure you have electricity available at the location of your gate operator. If not, you may want to consider either installing electrical wiring to power it, or looking into other options like solar power. Solar is definitely worth considering as modern solar panels are quite efficient and can store power for later. Solar cells work using a phenomenon called the “photovoltaic effect.” Silicon solar panels are able to emit electrical current when exposed to light, which allows them to be used as a clean, renewable power source. Solar power can also save you money on your electric bill, making it a very economical option.
Does your gate operator offer battery back-up?
- Most high quality gate openers contain backup power. It would be incredibly inconvenient for the gate to get stuck in the open or closed position. Backup batteries help prevent this.
Gate operator controls
- Now that you know what gate operator is best for you, it’s time to look into how you want to use it. The typical way is by using a push button remote to open your gate(s). If guest access is needed, a keypad is the most common option. Some gate operator brands offer internet services via WiFi, which allows you to control your gate through an application on your smartphone. Now, how do you want to exit the property? If you have guests enter with a keypad, how will they exit? There are a few different exit options to choose from. For example, a keypad on the inside of the property is one option. Another commonly used device for residential properties is the vehicle exit wand. It senses moving metal and when a vehicle is within 4-8 feet, it opens the gate automatically. An additional option, which is mostly used on commercial properties, is the underground free exit loop. The free exit loop is similar to the exit wand, however, it has a different way of detecting vehicles. It is an electric magnet that is installed under the driveway. It detects resistance from the metal frame on the vehicle and opens the gate. The exit loops are known for their long lasting design.
