If you're looking at effective ways of improving the security of your garden gate, there are many effective options that you should investigate. Each of which has a way to make it more difficult for intruders to gain access to your property. A secure gate is important for keeping your garden private and deterring burglars.
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Upgrade to a Stronger Gate Material
One of the simplest ways to boost your gate security is to upgrade it to a robust material. Metal gates made from steel, iron or aluminium offer strength and resistance against forcing or cutting through. Metal is one of the most secure gate materials.
Sturdy wooden gates made from solid oak are also an attractive secure option for front gates and driveway gates. The dense, hard oak wood is resistant to impacts and cutting. Look for tongue and groove construction for extra strength.
Avoid hollow, weak materials like plastic or thin wood. Garden gates made from inferior materials can easily be broken, lifted off hinges or have panels kicked through. Invest in quality material engineered for security.
Add Locking Bolts for Extra Protection
Installing additional locking bolts at the top and bottom of your gate improves security. The bolts anchor the gate firmly into the ground and gate post, preventing the gate from being lifted off its hinges or forced inward.
Key operated gate bolts allow quick locking and unlocking from the outside. Pairing gate bolts with a sturdy padlock on your gate handle adds another layer of protection.
For automated gates, consider an electronic gate lock that allows keypad or touchscreen entry for convenience. Powered gate locks instantly secure the gate upon closing.
Increase Gate Height
A taller gate makes it harder for intruders to climb over or reach over to unlock the gate. Aim for a gate height of at least 1.8 metres.
The extra height combined with spiked finial caps on the gate posts can deter criminals from attempting to scale the gate. Make sure the gate height complies with your local council's planning regulations.
Install Security Cameras
A security camera system trained on your front gate area acts as an additional deterrent while providing video evidence if an incident occurs.
CCTV cameras with night vision capabilities allow constant monitoring of your gate and driveway 24/7. Invest in a camera system with high resolution footage and motion alerts.
For full perimeter protection, consider adding small wireless cameras on your gate posts to capture visitors right at the entrance. Link cameras to your smartphone app so you can remotely view the gate from anywhere.
Improve Gate Posts and Hinges
Check that your gate posts are firmly concreted into the ground at least 2 feet deep to stop the gate being pushed over or lifted off. Steel posts offer maximum strength.
High-quality heavy-duty hinges are essential to withstand force and help the gate swing smoothly. Multi-knuckled hinges don't allow the gate to be lifted off easily.
Lubricating hinges regularly prevent rusting, so the gate continues to function smoothly for longer.
A secure gate is the first defence against intruders entering your garden. We hope these tips give you ideas to improve your gate security. For attractive, high security gates made from steel or aluminium, browse our website. Our team is also happy to provide gate security advice.