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AUTOMATED DRIVEWAY GATES: IS IT WORTH THE EXTRA COST?

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.

TILED ROOFS VS. FLAT ROOFS VS. FIBRE GLASS ROOFS AND COSTS

Generally speaking a tiled roof is the best option for a period property and with good reason, Clay tiles look a lot better and typically last 50 years plus. However, they are significantly more expensive than their concrete counterparts which also shorten the lifespan and detract from the appearance of the roof. Slate roofs are the longest lasting and are generally found on the higher end of the market. The national average for a complete re-tiling of a semi-detached property is between 5,000 and 30,000 pounds.

Generally, flat roofs can be found on garages, extensions and lower end housing from the post war years. Flat roofs have a bad reputation from the old felt roofs of that time, however, recent innovations in roofing like fibreglass and single ply membranes have improved the market. Flat roofs are less expensive than pitched roofs, however, they generally do not last as long.

Fibreglass (GRP) roofs are very popular for flat roofs and roofs on conservatories and garden rooms. They are fully waterproof and have seams, like a portable shower tray, to allow water to drain off. They will last a long time with very little maintenance. They cost more than a cheap, everyday roofing felt but less than a tiled roof.

The biggest determiners of cost for a new roof are size and the condition of what is under the roof, particularly the roof structure. The cost of a new roof can easily be underestimated, for example if scaffolding has to be erected around the entire house. The condition of the roof structure can impact the cost of a new roof. If the roof structure needs to be replaced as well, the cost of the roof structure and the new roof need to be considered together.

Get at least two quotes because the quotes may vary widely due to what is included. Ask what is included because the quotes may not include the same things. Scaffolding and disposal may be included in some quotes, but not in others.

A new roof can change the look of a house and, if done nicely, improve a house. However, a new roof can also be a significant financial cost and, if done on a house with an old roof structure that hasn’t been checked, the cost can be wasted if the old, neglected roof structure isn’t also replaced.

WHAT IMPROVES KERB APPEAL AND HOUSE SECURITY? FRONT DOORS.

While many homeowners consider the aesthetics of the front of their home and how to best present their property, not many think beyond the cosmetic aspects of their home. Your front door is often the focal point of the street view of your home and the first line of defense against unwanted visitors.

The color and style of your front door can dramatically improve the street view of your home. Deep colors can improve the appearance of your home and create an inviting first impression. The range of colors available on composite doors means that if you are replacing your front door for aesthetic reasons, you don’t need to worry about the door fading or deteriorating like wood doors.

When replacing your front door for security reasons, a composite door paired with a multi-point locking system dramatically improves the security of your home. Look for PAS 24. This is the industry standard for the performance of doors in regards to security. It is important to ask your door supplier if the door you are purchasing meets this standard. Do not assume.

People often underestimate the importance of small details. An oversized letterbox is an obvious weak point in the defenses of a house that most homeowners never think to look for. Glazing in the door is a weak point as well, and while it may cost a little more to use laminated glass in the door, it’s better than using standard glass because laminated glass is harder to break through.

If you’re choosing where to invest your money, the door or the hinges and lock, we’d say the hinges and lock are a better investment. While it’s important to invest in an attractive door, if the lock is cheap and the door is otherwise attractive, it’s still a weak door.

A good door can be an expensive investment, but it’s important not to cut corners and compromise, because a good door can keep a home secure. A good door can also drastically improve the aesthetic appeal and the value of a home, and it is a comparatively cheap and easy way to strengthen the security of a home. A good door accomplishes both of these.