Automatic gates: the pros and cons of automated systems

Automatic gates are gradually replacing conventional designs from the leading positions. Every year the number of people who want to become owners of automatic gates on their sites is increasing. If you are also one of those interested, it will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself in advance not only with the features of automatic gates, but also with their pros and cons.

Like any other gates, these automated systems have their own characteristics, the main one of which is precisely the way they are opened and closed. As is already clear from the very term "automatic gates", such systems are opened remotely, without any physical effort on the part of a person. The second feature lies in a unique and reliable electric drive, thanks to which the door leaf is automatically opened and closed. Its unique design provides the owner of such a gate with a safe and long-term use.

Many experts also consider a wide range of models and types of automatic gates to be one of the main advantages. Today, sliding, sliding, garage, technical and fire-prevention automatic gates are on sale. This assortment allows each customer to choose the ideal automatic gate for any occasion. An automatic machine or a drive for operation is installed either by the manufacturer independently, or after direct communication with the customer. An equally important feature and one of the main advantages over conventional opening and closing systems is its presentable, unique appearance. The design of automatic door leaves is so unique that it cannot spoil any landscape design. On the contrary, he can only emphasize his sophistication and sophisticated style.

Automatic gates are usually steel. It is this material of their manufacture that allows them to provide both a presentable appearance and a long service life. Another feature lies in the fact that such gates can be opened or closed in several ways. There are universal models for which the setting of two or more ways is available, and there are standard models of automatic gates that can be opened or closed in only one way. In addition to such important features, automatic gates have their pros and cons.

The main advantages of various types of automatic gates are:

• relatively low price. Due to the fact that products are manufactured today by manufacturers from various countries, the range of their prices is quite extensive, which allows almost everyone to purchase the automation they need.
• The control of such automation is simple and does not require any special skills and knowledge.
• The opening of the gates, as well as their closing, is carried out without the use of human physical force.
• The heat conductivity of such sheets is extremely low.

• Automatic gates are considered to be the most secure against burglaries.
• Almost every canvas allows you to embed a gate with locks into it.
• A wide range of models.
• Choice of gate opening and closing system.
• During operation, such systems do not take up extra space and do not clutter up the space around them, which is especially important for small territories and premises.

Among the disadvantages are the following features:

• if such a fence was made of an aluminum profile, then in a strong wind it can bend.
• In the presence of a small free space in front and behind the gate or its complete absence, it is not always possible to establish a specific type of automatic gate.
• Since an electric drive is installed on such fences, it will be impossible to open them automatically in the absence of electricity. Therefore, it is necessary to worry in advance about the function of manual opening of such gates.

There are a lot of varieties of this design, they can all be of two types: with a wicket built into the door leaf itself, or without it.

Today experts distinguish the following types of automatic gates:

• Swing. This is the most famous and popular type of such fencing. It works on the same principle as a conventional gate, that is, the gate leaves open outward. The inconvenience lies in the need to free up a large space for the operation of such a product. Such a fence is of the cold type, while an automatic swing fence is considered one of the easiest to install, the least expensive.

• Up-and-over gates slightly more difficult to install, but also belong to the category of budget designs. With the correct installation and selection of the canvas, this design is the warmest and most comfortable. When unfolded, the straight canvas simply rises to the ceiling with a special mechanism and is fixed in its upper part.

There are five lifting options:

• high is suitable for canvases weighing up to 890 kg;
• low is intended for canvases weighing up to 800 kg;
• standard - for canvases weighing up to 870 kg;
• vertical lift is suitable for lintels with a height of more than half a meter;
• inclined lift is designed for lintels with heights from 350 mm to 500 mm.

• Sectional structures are a type of lifting and turning products. They consist of separate sections that are interconnected. When such gates are lifted, the sections are pressed against each other and folded like an accordion, which is placed by a lifting mechanism in a special box. They are presented on the market in two versions: warm and cold. They have an aesthetic appearance, do not take up extra space. The only drawback that such folding models have is the low degree of protection against unauthorized entry.

• Roll automatic When opening, the barriers are wound by means of a drive onto a special drum located in the upper part of the lintel. The pros and cons are the same as the sectional models. Such constructions are convenient and durable in use, are of high quality, but at the same time they are often cheaper than overhead and sectional doors.

• Sliding or sliding automatic structures open by sliding to the side. They do not take up much space, you can build a wicket into them, they are distinguished by reliable protection against burglary, they are classified as warm. Such fences are classified as cold, they are easiest to make with your own hands, they serve for a very long time without malfunctions.

They can be of three types:

• Cantilever, that is, transferring the main loads to the load-bearing beam. Depending on the manufacturer, it can be located at the top, bottom or in the middle of the structure. It is inside it that balls are installed on which the canvas slides and smoothly shifts to the side;
• Suspended structures have a bearing beam with rollers in the upper part. Such gates are suspended on it, they move during operation along the guide beam;
• Rolling back on rails. In this case, special rails are installed in the upper and lower beams, and the door leaf slides along them on special rollers built into the lower part of the door leaf itself.

All types of such automatic fences are not only equipped with an electric drive, but also must have a special function that allows them to be opened manually. Most of the models are equipped with this feature at the factory. If it is not there, then specialists will be able to add it.

At the very beginning of the article, it was said that automatic gates open and close without the use of physical effort. Now it's time to take a closer look at this process.

Such gates can be opened and closed in three ways, depending on the installed drive:

• The linear automatic actuator is considered the most reliable and most popular. This type of control can be installed on any type of gate, ideal for a summer cottage, office, warehouse and private house.

• Lever type of control is characterized by less resistance to negative factors, suitable only for private use.
• An underground control system also exists, but it is considered unprofitable and inconvenient. This is due to the difficult opening and closing of the gate in winter, with expensive maintenance and installation.

The most cost-effective, reasonable and profitable to choose is the linear type of control.

When choosing it, manipulations with an automatic fence can be performed using:

• Remote control by pressing the corresponding button.
• Magnetic card. The card must be attached or inserted into a special terminal.
• An electronic key that must be attached to a special sensor.
• A special code that must be dialed on the code panel.
• Key switch, which in fact is an ordinary lock, opening or closing which, you can activate the entire mechanism.

There is another more modern control method: through a special mobile application. When choosing this method, you should carefully ensure that the gadget is always charged. Such a wide variety of types of automatic gates and types of their control allows everyone to choose for themselves the ideal variant of the fence and the type of its control.

Each type of automatic gate has its own unique operating scheme, which depends on the type and method of control, however, all models have a common operating principle. The operation of the entire mechanism begins after the system received a signal to open or close the gate: either the signal was received stationary through a code, magnetic card or remote control to the central control unit, or the remote control transmitted the necessary information. As a last resort, you can use the built-in intercom, which is equipped with earlier designs.

The main motor then automatically turns on and drives the drive. Due to this, the gates, depending on their type, begin to open independently. And at this moment it is very important to remember the rules for the operation of such fences. If the gates are swing gates, remember to leave enough space to open them. Special closers will regulate the speed and intensity of the gate opening, so do not rush and drive into them too quickly. In many models, synchronously with the opening of the door leaf, a special illumination of the door itself and the garage room is also turned on, which is convenient for the car owner.

Automatic gates, with all their advantages and conveniences, have one rather significant disadvantage, namely the high cost, and the more famous the brand that produces such a fence, the more expensive its product will be.You can make such a gate with your own hands for personal needs. Having decided to make automatic gates with your own hands, you should give preference to the most simple, but at the same time reliable structures. That is why here we will describe the step-by-step creation of the most simple type of fence, namely the roll-back model.

First of all, this is due to the convenience of further operation of such gates. Also, if necessary, you can install doors in them, if the need arises. It is best to install such homemade gates to your yard, to a private house or to a summer cottage.

Before proceeding with the direct manufacture of automatic gates, it is necessary to purchase a special set of accessories, which will consist of:

• rubber plugs;
• upper supporting rollers;
• knurled rollers;
• guide profile;
• roller carriages;
• two catchers.

The subsequent stages of work will look like this:

• It is necessary to determine the size of the gate. It is worth remembering that it is this parameter that will be key when buying accessories.
• Installation of support pillars with their deepening into the ground by at least 100 cm. It is best to choose a steel pipe, concrete or brick pillars as a support. A special crushed stone pillow must be placed under the bottom of the support. The pillar itself must be filled with concrete.

• Now you need to lay the foundation for the whole structure. This stage requires a particularly careful approach, because a channel for the gate rollers will be laid here, and it is the foundation that will support the entire structure.

Foundation creation includes several stages:

• Excavation and arrangement of the foundation pit. The ratio of width and depth is 100x45 cm. The length of the pit should be equal to half the length of the door leaf.
• A banquet in the shape of the letter "P" is made from a channel 20 cm wide and reinforcement with a cross section of 12. To do this, the reinforcement is cut into pieces 1 m long, welded to the channel.
• Now the bench is installed and poured with concrete.

These are the main stages of preparation. After the banquet is poured with concrete, the entire structure must be allowed to completely solidify for at least 3 days. Only after this time has elapsed, it is possible to proceed with the further manufacture of the structure.

You can make street gates directly:

• Manufacturing of a steel pipe support frame. It is necessary to cut the lengths of the pipe from the pipe, clean them of grease and rust, then join them together by welding. After that, clean the seams, prime and paint the entire structure.

• Now you need to sew the canvases themselves into the frame. You can take those that were sold in the kit, or you can cut them yourself from the most suitable material. Better to give preference to steel sheets or aluminum profiles with steel reinforcement.
• Painting and priming of the gate. First, you must carefully prime the entire structure, let it dry thoroughly, and apply paint on top. It is better to use alkyd solutions, which are applied in at least two layers.
• It is best to fasten the canvases to the frame with special rivets or self-tapping screws.

The final stage of installing an automatic gate consists of several steps:

• The rollers are installed in the bench and tucked into the supporting beam.
• The door leaf is positioned perfectly level.
• By means of welding, roller carts are attached to the channel.
• The catchers are welded to the support posts.
• Now you need to install the automation. It is purchased in advance at the same place as the gate fittings. It is better to immediately worry about purchasing a high-quality engine and drive, because it will be difficult to reprogram the entire system later. Sometimes the automation comes complete with fittings.

The final stage will be testing.If all stages of the work were carried out correctly and without haste, then self-made automatic gates should work flawlessly.

Today, you can purchase high-quality accessories for self-manufacturing of automatic gates or the finished gates themselves from many manufacturers.

To purchase a quality product, first of all, it is better to pay attention to the products of the following manufacturers:

• Nice Is a brand that enjoys wide popularity not only in Russia, but also in other countries of the world. The assortment includes both automatic fences of all types, and sets of accessories for their independent creation, automation of various types and other related products. The products of this company are appreciated for the highest quality and reasonable prices.

• Alutech Is a combined brand that includes manufacturers from more than 5 countries. The founders of the company themselves position themselves as German manufacturers. The most innovative technologies are constantly being introduced in production, which makes it possible to manufacture automatic gates of a new generation. All products are certified, have a unique design and excellent technical parameters.

• Came Is an Italian brand. Just like other manufacturers, its assortment includes all types of automatic gates, as well as accessories of various types. In addition, it is the automatics of the gates of this manufacturer that, if necessary, can be connected with the automatics of other objects at home, creating a "smart garage" on your own.
• Hörmann Is another manufacturer that deserves the attention of buyers to their products. In addition to sets of fittings and ready-made automatic fences, the range includes drives and motors, control systems of various types. All products are safe and of high quality.

If you want to be sure of the high quality of automatic fences purchased or made by yourself, then the range of products of these brands should be studied first.

In the course of operation, sooner or later, you may encounter some problems, and the recommendations of specialists will help to avoid them or quickly solve them on your own. It should always be remembered that the automation of such structures must be carried out in strict accordance with the instructions. If you doubt your abilities, then it is better to entrust its implementation to professionals. Otherwise, if a malfunction is found, warranty repair or replacement will be refused.

The fence on which such gates will be installed, and which will be their continuation, must also be made of durable materials. Part of the load on the door structure will be transferred to it, so it must be strong and stable. The lubricant must be used regularly.

A curtain on the gate from the inside of the garage will protect them from dirt and increase their thermal conductivity. You should choose curtains made of dense materials, preferably of the same production as the structure itself. In order for the automation not to jam, you need to regularly monitor the health of the remote control parts, and install a separate transformer on the automation itself. It will allow the system to work properly even during severe power outages and voltage drops.

It is definitely worth installing a manual gate opening system at every, even very expensive, facility. You can make such an opportunity hidden, but it must be there. As experts say, having this function one day can save you from calling the master late at night.For the most part, with proper installation and compliance with the operating rules, there should be no malfunctions or shortcomings in the operation of such automated systems. If they do arise, then it is better to seek help from qualified specialists.

The fact that automatic gates are really comfortable, aesthetic and popular is confirmed by the reviews of their owners. According to most of them, such structures not only make life much easier, but also make it possible to reliably protect the territory and premises from illegal entry, help to save free space and can even become the main decoration of the territory. The owners of such fences are especially positive about their functionality, serviceable and durable work, especially when it comes to the products of manufacturers from the above list. Based on this information, we can safely say that automatic gates in the coming decades can completely oust their predecessors from the market.

For information on how to convert a simple gate to an automatic one with your own hands, see the next video.