Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need planning permission for electric gates?

Yes. You will need to apply for planning permission if you wish to erect or add to a fence, wall or gate if:

  • It would be over one metre high and next to a highway used by vehicles (or the footpath of such a highway); or over two metres high elsewhere; or
  • Your right to put up or alter fences, walls and gates is removed by an article 4 direction or a planning condition; or
  • Your house is a listed building or in the curtilage of a listed building
  • The fence, wall or gate, or any other boundary involved, forms a boundary with a neighbouring listed building or its curtilage.

How much do electric gates cost?

The cost of new aluminium electric gates depends on many factors, such as number of gate leaves, type of automation, gate size and height, finish and access control requirements. A single 5 bar gate in flat colour and above ground automation will cost around £7,000 including VAT, while a large telescopic gate with GSM intercom, illuminated push to exit button and vehicle detector can cost upwards of £14,000 including VAT. Call us today with your requirements and we will provide an estimate, if that is within your budget we will move to a site visit and provide an accurate quote and visuals.

Do electric gates use much electricity?

Generally, an electric gate system will use about 100 watt hours per day. At the current average electricity prices, it’ll cost around 3p per day to run your electric gates.

Can you manually close an electric gate?

Every electric gate has a manual release mechanism, which disengages the gate from the motor. This allows the gates to be freely opened and closed without power.

How often should electric gates be serviced?

We recommend that electric gate systems which are used between two and three times a day will require a service once per year. This suits most residential properties. For electric gates on commercial properties which have a high volume of traffic travelling through them, we recommend that they are serviced once every six months (twice per year), to ensure that they remain in the best possible condition.

Do electric gates work in the winter?

Yes, electric gates work all year round. We use the highest quality materials and components to ensure that even when a cold snap strikes, your gates will work exactly as they should. We do recommend that your gates are serviced and maintained properly, and that in the event of snow and ice, you clear your gates and motor system fully. However, try and avoid salt and grit as these could damage the finish and motor.

Are electric gates reliable?

Yes, electric gates are very reliable, and you should have little to no problem with them functioning incorrectly. To minimise the risk of reliability issues, ensure that your gates are regularly serviced and maintained by a qualified professional.

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