Often the first line of defence in your property’s security is your front sliding gate. These large gates are ideal as they are strong enough to discourage forced entry. However, you must know how to lock your sliding gate as these gates are not completely secure and there are additional methods to make these gates more secure.
While it may seem obvious it is important to lock all gates that provide access to your property, this includes your side gate and main sliding gate. However, when it comes to sliding gates this isn’t always easy.
That is why we decided to write this article to take a look at how to lock your sliding gate and other ways you can make your sliding gate more secure. To ensure your home or commercial property is as safe as possible.
Locking your sliding gate
Generally speaking, there are two types of sliding gates. These are the manual ones and those with automation systems installed. Each of these has its own methods of locking.
Manual sliding gates
A manual sliding gate is one that must be manually opened and closed. These are the easier sliding gates to lock as they usually use a simple bracket for a padlock. As the gate is operated manually this doesn’t interfere with its operation and helps to add an additional security obstacle to potential intruders.
Automatic sliding gates
A automatic sliding gate is one that has an automation system that allows it to be opened with the push of a button. These gates are more convenient and secure than manual sliding gates, as you don’t have to leave the safety of your car to open the gate. However, this does make it more difficult to lock as a padlock would defy the point of automation. So the question is how to lock your sliding gate when it is automatically opened.
While automatic gates are all automatically locked to the automation mechanism, these can be disengaged. To lock these gates there are two methods. One that is more common to most automatic systems, and another that provides additional security. We will look at each of these below:
- Motor lock: The first method to look at for how to lock your sliding gate is a motor lock. This is the more common method and the lock is usually a standard padlock that ensures the disengagement lever is locked in place.
- Mag/Electronic locks: The second and more secure method is installing a mag (magnetic) lock or electronic lock on your sliding gate. Mag locks use a powerful electromagnet that integrates into your automation system to keep the gate more securely closed while being able to open automatically with the gate. This is the same for electronic locks which are connected to the automation system and electronically disengaged when opening. These types of locks are the most secure way to lock your automatic sliding gate.
How to secure your sliding gate?
Now that we have looked at how to lock your sliding gate. We can examine some additional steps you can take to make your sliding gates more secure.
Motor bracket
While a motor lock is a method we mentioned for how to lock your sliding gate, these can be made more secure. This is done by adding a bracket to the gate motor. A good bracket will prevent potential intruders from accessing the disengagement lever and stops them from stealing your motor.
Protect the tooth bar
Another vital component to the security of your sliding gate is the tooth bar. The tooth bar is a rack that connects the motor to the gate itself, by allowing the motor’s drive cog to run along it. As this is a vital component of the sliding gate if criminals are able to bend it they could access your property. That is why it is important to protect the tooth bar. This can be done by adding sheeting to your gate that blocks any access to your tooth bar from the outside. Additionally, you can weld a flat bar into the space between the tooth bar and the gate to prevent intruders from inserting tools there to bend the tooth bar.
Gate bracket
Another method of securing your sliding gate aside from how to lock your sliding gate is with a gate bracket. A gate bracket prevents the gate from being lifted off its track, as this would allow intruders access to your property. A good gate bracket should prevent gate movement both upwardly and laterally.
Connect to alarm systems
An additional security measure that can be added to automatic gates and their electronic locks is tamper alarms. These systems detect stress on the lock to determine when intruders are attempting to force entry. This can be connected to your home alarm system to alert security companies.
How to find the best method to secure your gates?
While we have looked at numerous options for how to lock your sliding gate and make it more secure. There are always unforeseen circumstances that may compromise your security. Therefore if you want to ensure your property is as secure as possible, contact the professionals at Lockfront Automation. They are the gate and garage automation people, with an understanding of the importance of security. Their friendly qualified technicians will come to your property to determine its unique security needs. With a commitment to providing the best service at affordable prices. They will ensure your property is secure without breaking your budget. So contact Lockfront Automation today to make your property as secure as possible, keeping you and your loved ones safe.
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