If you have or are planning a wall or fence for your property you will need at least one entry gate, for vehicles and/or pedestrians. These should be chosen carefully, taking practical considerations into account as well as aesthetics and security.
While entry gates, by their very nature, are constructed to give you safe access to your home, if security factors are not taken into account, they can also be an easy access point for unwelcome guests and potential criminals.
Elements to Consider for Security
When planning fences, natural enclosures, and entry gates with security in mind, there are several things to consider:
- Height If a gate is low enough, people can easily hop over it. One way of overcoming this potential problem is to design the enclosure (fence or wall) so that it extends over the top of the gate and the opening. Another solution is to incorporate spikes or decorative arrows (if the gate is made of metal) along the top of it. This can also be a solution for some lower-than-normal fences.
- Design The outside of an entry gate should never have railings or any other design element that could be used like a stepladder. If horizontal slats are going to be included in the design, these should be on the inside of the gate. If you have young children who might climb out from the inside, then the solution is to have a gate without any horizontal sections at all. It could be constructed in the style of a swimming pool fence where the problem of children accessing the pool is paramount.
- Closing While it is not generally necessary to have self-closing gates for those used by people on foot, it is an advantage for vehicle access. When an entry gate designed for cars can be opened at the touch of a button, there is no need to get in and out of the car. Not only does this make sense in terms of security, it is also a lot more convenient, especially when you are the only person in the car. There are various designs including those that slide to allow entry.
- Bolting If entry gates are not properly closed and bolted from the inside, even the highest gate will fail when it comes to security. Automatic gates won’t open without a control mechanism, but other designs will normally have to be secured manually.
Whether you planning a new fence with entry gates or just want to upgrade the gates you already have, contact Natural Enclosures to see how we can help.