What Is The Best Swing Gate Opener?
Protect your property with an electric gate opener. With so many on the market, it may be hard to choose. This article will help you make the right decision for your property.
One of the best ways to protect your home or business is to install an electric gate opener. Having a gate at your entrance is great to give you more security, control over who has access to your property, and peace of mind. An electric swing gate opener is well worth the investment – it keeps your family and property safe, as well as adds property value to your home.
How Do I Choose an Electric Gate Opener?
With so many great electric gate openers on the market, it can be difficult to determine which one you should get. First things first: an electric gate opener includes a gate operator. They are opened electronically through a keypad, remote control, or key card.
They may also include features for guests such as an intercom or telephone access. Automatic gates are very secure and convenient, making it perfect for homeowners serious about their home safety.
With high tech features and safety technology, automatic swing gate openers are a no-brainer. There are several factors to consider.
There are a ton of different options in terms of power sources, external interfaces, and safety controls. Here are some of the top questions to ask yourself when choosing your electric swing gate opener.
- Does it swing in one or two pieces? Some gates have two pieces that open, where others are in one piece. It’s important to know which one you want or have, so you can choose the automatic gate opener for you.
- If you do have two pieces, how long is each leaf? This is important because most gate operators are built to operator gates up to a certain length. Knowing the length of both pieces is essential when choosing the gate operator that you want.
- How heavy is your gate? Gate operators are designed to work up to a certain weight. Knowing the weight will ensure you choose the right model to handle your gate.
- How big are the attached columns going to be? The size of the columns can affect which gate opener is best for you since most electric swing gate openers attach there. You’ll want to be sure the columns are large and sturdy enough to accomodate the gate and gate operator.
- How many times per day do you plan on opening and closing the gate operator? This is an important consideration as you may need a heavier duty gate operator and/or the right kind of power source.
- Does your gate operator contain backup battery power? This is incredibly important, especially during power outages, storms, and more. You’ll want to make sure that the gate doesn’t get stuck in the open or closed position and a backup power source prevents this from happening.
- Will the gate operator you choose work with remote controls? Remote controls mean more convenience and easier access for approved guests and family members. You can even use a gate from the car to make getting in super easy. Going with a brand like Eagle also means that you can use a smartphone app as a remote control, making it easier than ever to control who has access to your property.
Should You Even Be Hiding Your House Key?
If most home burglaries occur when someone walks through your front door, pilfers your belongings, and walks right back out your front door, is it even a good idea to be hiding your house key outside?
Considering the fact that homes in America are burglarized every 18 seconds, maybe it’s time to consider alternative measures to securing your home—keyless entry options.
Who Needs a Keyless Entry Option?
If you are living in a home with other adults, such as a shared rental property, as well as an AirBnB—basically anywhere multiple people will be coming and going from your home often—granting people keyless access to your property is a must.
Keyless Entry,
Coded Lock
In the world of keyless entry, a coded lock is one of the more accessible options. These keyless locking mechanisms operate using a keycode which may or may not be digitally connected to a cloud service.
Dual Keyed/Keyless Coded Locks
These are keyless locking mechanisms which operate via a keypad, set to remain locked until someone enters the pre-set keycode. What sets these apart from other types of keyless options is that there is still a key-lock system as a back-up in case the batteries were to die. This, of course, means they can be picked, like any other keyed locking door.
Digital Locking App
One of the more accessible security options is a locking mechanism with both a keypad entry system and an app with cloud-based locking and unlocking capabilities.
Biometric Sensor + Keypad Entry
Some are even more advanced, featuring not only a keypad but a biometric sensor. The idea here is to prevent entry except to those whose unique fingerprints or retina patterns have been included in the list of stored people who are allowed entry.
Of course, this isn’t a fool-proof method. For one thing, biometrics scanners, though extremely sophisticated technology, can be hacked.
Furthermore, should the battery die or the power be cut, most of these coded keypad or biometric sensor options don’t offer a keyed entry for emergencies, meaning you could be trapped outside/inside your home—which could, obviously, be a problem for a number of reasons.
Really the best swing gate opener depends on what you need for your home or business.
There are several on the market that are highly rated, powerful, and durable. We’ll walk you through the best swing gate openers that are on the market to help you make this important decision.
Residential Gate Operators
Eagle 100 DC 2 120 Volt Gate Opener
This is a great residential electric gate operator that gives you worry free operation. It even works during a complete power failure, keeping you safe and secure. This model has a built-in battery backup system, allowing the gate to open at least 100 cycles when the power is lost.
This makes it the perfect choice for homeowners serious about their security. It’s easy to install this top-rated Eagle gate with Eagle Operators nationwide network of dealers, distributors, and installers.
Eagle-100 Series – 1 Eagle
Another great option is the Eagle-100 Series- 1 Eagle. It’s perfect for residential or light commercial applications. This model also operates during a power outage.
This highly rated gate operator comes with the coveted Diamond Control Board- the most feature packed industry leading board out there! This model comes with the Eagle best in class 5 year warranty, giving you extra peace of mind for your purchase.
Eagle-II
The Eagle II gate is a powerhouse for smaller gates and comes with the AC Mini Diamond Board. The gate operator is silent but packs a lot of heat with its strong ½ horsepower. This is single handedly the most user friendly control board in the industry, making it perfect for people who want top notch security but don’t want to have to learn a bunch of fancy controls or mechanisms. This model is backed by Eagle Operator’s best in class 5 year warranty.
X9 Series
The X Series models are a great choice when it comes to protecting your home or business. The X9 model is perfect for residential or commercial gate operators that provide smooth operation. The S Model is rated for gates up to 600 lbs and 10’ and or the L Model, which is built for gates up to 800 lbs and 16’, which is perfect for larger residential applications or commercial use.
Best Commercial Swing Gate Operator:
Eagle 200 DC
The Eagle 2000 provides extreme reliability allowing for stress free operation even during a complete power failure. This heavy duty swing gate opener has a built- in battery backup system that allows for 100 cycles during power loss, making it an incredibly secure choice for your business. The Eagle 200 comes in 2 models to choose from, and both use the feature-packed, installer-friendly state of the art Diamond Control Board. This model keeps your business secure with reliable access and comes with the Eagle best in class 5 year warranty.
How Much Does it Cost to Install an Automatic Gate Opener?
You may think that electric swing gate operators are out of your price range. However, they are not as expensive as you might think. Automatic driveway gates cost, on average, about $7000. The final price depends on gate materials, size, type, extra features, and local labor prices.
While that may seem like a nice chunk of change, in the long run, these gates last for a long time.
On average, electric swing gate operators last for 10 years or more. With proper care and maintenance, it can last a very long time, protecting your home or business for years to come. When you shop around for a gate operator that has a longer warranty, you can also extend the life to save costs.
Furthermore, gate operators typically have a great Return on Investment (ROI). Even though you might be spending thousands of dollars to install it, it’s likely you’ll see cost savings in other areas.
Eagle-100 Series – 1 Eagle
Another great option is the Eagle-100 Series- 1 Eagle. It’s perfect for residential or light commercial applications. This model also operates during a power outage.
This highly rated gate operator comes with the coveted Diamond Control Board- the most feature packed industry leading board out there! This model comes with the Eagle best in class 5 year warranty, giving you extra peace of mind for your purchase.
Eagle-II
The Eagle II gate is a powerhouse for smaller gates and comes with the AC Mini Diamond Board. The gate operator is silent but packs a lot of heat with its strong ½ horsepower. This is single handedly the most user friendly control board in the industry, making it perfect for people who want top notch security but don’t want to have to learn a bunch of fancy controls or mechanisms. This model is backed by Eagle Operator’s best in class 5 year warranty.
X9 Series
The X Series models are a great choice when it comes to protecting your home or business. The X9 model is perfect for residential or commercial gate operators that provide smooth operation. The S Model is rated for gates up to 600 lbs and 10’ and or the L Model, which is built for gates up to 800 lbs and 16’, which is perfect for larger residential applications or commercial use.
Does a Gate Increase Property Value?
When you are purchasing something that is expensive, you’ll want to shop around and consider if it is worth the expense. Like other big purchases, you must consider the value of the product, as well as the ROI.
Value wise, it’s no question- having an automatic gate operator can increase your security and give you peace of mind. Not only that, but you can expect to see a huge increase in your property value. Unlike a new car that depreciates over time, a driveway gate only adds value, even if it is an older model.
A security gate can increase the value of your property by an astonishing $50,000. Compared to the average of $7000 that it costs to buy and install an electric gate operator, this is a no brainer.
Driveway gates have a high return on investment for several reasons.
- Homeowners like knowing their home, family, and property is more secure.
- Sellers are often more than willing to pay extra knowing that they have the peace of mind of a driveway gate.
- Homes with security gates are more likely to sell as it enhances the curb appeal of a property.
- Gates provide convenience and security. Hosting guests is incredibly easy with gate opener remotes to easily allow access for those invited- and keep out those who aren’t.
- Driveway gates can actually reduce insurance costs. Many insurance companies will decrease costs with the installation of a security fence or driveway gate. The decreased risk of vandalism, theft, and break-ins mean a lower monthly premium.
To get the most out of your investment, it’s important to properly maintain your gate and get it serviced regularly. You should refer to the user manual for recommendations for professional maintenance, warranty information, and instructions. Eagle Operators has a full line of online manuals to make maintenance a breeze!
In Closing
One of the top ways to start protecting your home, business, and family is through installing security gates. A security gate is one of the very best ways to project your property. They help deter burglaries and other dangerous crimes, but they are best used when they are one part of your overall home security strategy.
Driveway gates make your home much less accessible and attractive to criminals. The presence of one suggests that you take home security very seriously, and potential burglars will likely be deterred as a result.
Eagle Operators have swinging gate operators, sliding gate operators, and overhead gate operators. Eagle products are available all through the United States through professional installers, dealers, and distributors. Contact Eagle Operators today to learn how gate operators can secure your home or business to keep criminals out for good!
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