In South Africa, most homes are protected by some sort of fence or gate, which serves to keep occupants safe inside, and to keep unwanted parties out. Gates are usually made more secure with the addition of various safety measures, and they send a very obvious message to outside parties that the property can only be entered with permission of the occupants.
There are many different types of gates used for security in modern day, and they are all installed differently and span across a wide price range. It is essential to consider the purpose of the gate, the surrounds and the material of the gate before purchase.
The most basic fences are usually made of wood and are normally used to keep an area enclosed and private. These can be very cheap and easily installed, and are normally built in pieces that can be assembled on site. They are available at most hardware or home ware shops and are easy to install as a DYI project, although sometimes a little help may be required. In terms of security and safety, the typical wooden fence will not offer only a very basic level of security and can be broken down or climbed over rather easily, and even if it is locked with additional locks and chains.
Iron or steel fences are more stable and sturdy than the basic wooden fence and allow for a greater degree of security, although they are normally see through and do not provide much privacy. Steel or iron is hard to break or remove, and cannot be scaled very easily if the fence is high enough, as normally there are no footholds. They can be painted to blend in with the surrounding area and are relatively easily installed, and reasonably cost effective. They can also be automated for security and convenience.
Automated gates are normally installed in an area such as a driveway where vehicles must enter. These gates will be operated with electricity and are opened and closed using a wireless system, controlled either from within the home or outside with a remote control device. Automated gates can be expensive and it is recommended that an experienced professional gates installation provider is used.
