I have an uncle in Texas who lives on a massive cattle ranch surrounded by a traditional three board ranch rail fence. That’s the stereotypical farm fence you see in westerns. It just wouldn’t be practical to cover such an extensive property with aluminum fencing. However, he would go on to get an aluminum driveway gate.
You see, he had an old wooden cantilever gate on his driveway. The kind that slides to the side. And it only had a store bought padlock keeping it closed. As you drove up you would have to get out of the car, unlock the gate, get back into the car, drive inside, and then lock the gate back up. Texans can be a little stubborn like that.
But as he got older, he would return home with strained joints and exhausted muscles. So he finally took his wife’s advice and decided to get an automated aluminum driveway fence gate.
Automated fence gates come in various styles
There’s a plethora of gate styles and functionalities to choose from. Here’s just a sample of your options:
Styles:
- Picket: Classic and versatile, picket gates offer a timeless look that complements most aluminum fences.
- Flat Top: A simple and clean design, flat top gates are a good choice for modern or contemporary fences.
- Arched: Arched gates add a touch of elegance and can be a great focal point for your fence line.
- Privacy: Solid privacy gates offer complete visual and noise blockage.
Functionality:
- Single swing gate: The most common type of gate, suitable for pedestrian access.
- Double swing gate: Ideal for wider openings or driveways.
- Cantilever gate: Slides open instead of swinging, perfect for areas with limited space for swinging a gate.
- Automatic gate: Offers added convenience, especially for high-traffic areas.
So my uncle got an arched, double swing gate with remote access so he doesn’t have to get out of his car. In fact, he liked it so much that he decided to install aluminum gates at the rental and commercial properties he owned.
What are the benefits of having an aluminum gate on commercial properties?
For starters, increasing security can reduce your insurance costs. Increasing security shows your insurance company that you are committed to protection. And statistically speaking, you’re less likely to become a victim of a robbery. However, the key word is can. It depends on your insurance company.
Secondly, automated gates can be hooked up with electric security systems for access control. For example, at a warehouse with plenty of employees, the boss can connect the gates to keypads. So instead of giving everyone a key or checking them in manually, he can just set a four-digital code and change it periodically.
Conversely, at locations with fewer employees and tighter security, automated gates can be controlled from a security office. For example, I once visited a data center that was protected by a tall aluminum fence. To get in you had to drive up the gate and talk through an intercom. The front desk person peered through the camera and manually checked people in.
Moral of the story: aluminum gates can add security and convenience.
If you have any more questions about gates or aluminum fences in general, drop us a line or fill out our contact form. We’re always happy to assist!