Customers routinely ask us to evaluate the merits of automatic versus manual operation of driveway gates. This is what we have to say.

A motor operator kit for a driveway gate can cost between £800 and £2,000. That does not include the cost of the gate. When considering automation of a driveway gate, one must evaluate the type and cost of the motor as well as other components of the operator kit. Cheap operators often mean cost cutting in the motor, and that can result in a short motor life.

There are several reasons for automating a gate. Convenience is the most obvious. Coming home in the dark, or going out in the rain and not having to get out of the car to open the gate are good examples. The major benefit of automating a driveway gate, and the real reason to spend the extra money, is that an automated gate closes behind you. A manually operated gate is only closed if the user remembers to close it.

In the final analysis, the major benefit of automating a driveway gate is closing it behind you. Forgetting to close a manually operated gate results in an open section of the fence with extra, and sometimes many, steps.

If the driveway is short and straight, we’d say automating the gate isn’t worth the cost. Automation pays off when a driveway is long and/or there are a lot of vehicles using the gate. Automating a gate makes sense when the goal is to control access to the property. A manually operated gate can still provide an aesthetically pleasing entrance to the property at a lower cost.

Something that is often overlooked when talking about automated gates is service. The motors and the electronics in the gate system require servicing at least annually to maintain optimal performance. This is an ongoing cost. It’s better to know about this cost in advance rather than unexpectedly receiving a service invoice. Every gate system should be fitted with a safety sensor and photocell. If a supplier does not include these in a gate system, that supplier should not be considered.

Got kids or a pet? We’d go automated every time. The sensors to help stop the gate from closing are a nice addition, but with kids or a pet around the driveway, they’re a must have. A fully automated system isn’t cheap, and an older couple who doesn’t have many visitors may be better off saving money.

Are the added features of the automated system worth the cost? Most of the time, yes. Not everyone is getting an automated system. If someone relies on their driveway entrance being completely secured and fully functional, the added cost of the automated system is justified. For others, the added cost isn’t justifiable. A standard, manually closed driveway gate does a similar function for less cost.