Tag: security

Why Wrought Iron Fences and Gates Give the Best Security

November 05, 2020

Technology is now big in residential and commercial security. Homeowners and business owners invest in sophisticated alarm systems to keep unauthorized individuals from entering their homes and establishments. If the goal is to keep vandals and robbers out, however, wouldn’t it make more sense to keep them entirely off your property instead of relying on an alarm system to kick in after their first break-in attempt?

If security is what you want, 4 Sure Gates recommends wrought iron gates and fences.

1. Ornamental Iron Gates & Fences Leave No Room for Hiding

Ornamental wrought iron gates and fences have slim bars all-throughout, with curved or spiked tops and a few aesthetic touches like arches, coils, and prefabricated pieces welded into place (e.g., leaves, floral detailing along the top). So yes, your house will be visible from the street; but, you’ll also have an unhindered view of the street from inside your house. You’ll know instantly if anyone is suspiciously loitering outside your driveway.

It’s the same thing with a wrought iron fence. Unless you grow tall shrubs right next to it, there’s no place for thieves to hide.

2. A Fence with Nothing Between the Wrought Iron Bars is Difficult to Climb

The standard design for wrought iron fences consists of horizontal bars in only two areas: near the very bottom and along the top. They are typically very high, too, with the top bars out of reach for the average person. More importantly, the vertical bars have no frills in the middle area. It means there are no footholds that will make it easy for anyone to try and climb over your fence.

3. Wrought Iron Is Incredibly Strong & Unyielding

If you plan to have a gate and fence, it’s best to invest in one that won’t easily yield to vandalism and trespassing. Wrought iron is one of the toughest materials for fences and gates today. It is made of iron alloy and is malleable (hence, easy to form according to a given design and size specifications).

Wrought iron is also more resistant to shock and vibration compared to steel. It can withstand external impact and hold its ground from, say, a drunk driver crashing into your property. It will do a better job of protecting your property from such accidents than wood or aluminum fences ever could.

4. Wrought Iron Is Heavy-Duty

Wrought iron is corrosion-resistant and can withstand heavy usage. It can last years with minimal maintenance despite being exposed to extreme weather. It’s also a heavy material, which is advantageous for fences (they won’t easily fall over or give in to external force). As for the rate of deterioration, it comes slow, unlike steel or aluminum.

With the latter two, the defects tend to appear and escalate immediately, so you’ll have to quickly pay for repairs. Wrought iron, on the other hand, buys you time. The material doesn’t break as easily, so if you spot the defect early on, you’ll have ample time to prepare for its repair or replacement.

High-tech security systems are very helpful, but you can’t depend on them alone. A visible and strong barrier like a wrought iron gate and fence could enough of a deterrent against criminals, and that alone is worth every expense.

If you’re interested in installing a wrought iron gate on your property, call 4 Sure Gates at (817) 965-7873. We can tell you more about your options and give you a quote. Contact us today!

Choosing Gate Designs: Balance Curb Appeal with Security

October 22, 2020

Black sliding automatic gates in Texas

Metal gates enhance a property’s facade, especially when it is viewed from public access roads. They also protect occupants by keeping unauthorized and unwelcome people from the property.

So when choosing gate designs for your home or property, you have to consider their aesthetic and functional benefits. There has to be a balance between the two so that you don’t fall short on security or curb appeal.

Metal Gate Designs Have Two Main Parts Categories: Opening Mechanism & Form. Let’s Learn About Their Opening Styles:

1. Swinging or Sliding

Automatic swinging or sliding gates are both clean and sleek. The choice comes down to space and preference. Swinging gates require plenty of square footage, whether it’s single-swing or double-swing. These are more common in public gardens, exclusive communities, and interior villa gates.

On the other hand, sliding gates are very space-efficient, although they require a lengthy stretch of adjacent fencing (enough for the gate to slide next to). They are also often very heavy. These are more common in government facilities, warehouses, airports, ports, and other places that admit trucks and other large vehicles.

Compliance with safety standards is a must with automatic gates and is, therefore, crucial when choosing a design. For example, one best practice is to program the swinging gate to stop at least 18 inches away from an immovable surface (e.g., the wall or fence). This gap ensures that if something or someone gets caught behind the gate as it swings open, the risks for injury or property damage will be low. It also means that there must be at least 18 inches of space between the adjacent wall and the gate when the latter is open at a 90-degree angle.

2. Solid Metal or Metal Bars

Solid iron or aluminum gates ensure privacy and heighten security while lending an austere, sleek, and modern look to a property. These gates typically come with a CCTV camera to compensate for the lack of visibility from inside the property.

If CCTV is not an option, the alternative would be to use metal bars. For example, gates made of wrought iron bars can look grand and classic when put together with ornamental metalworks or simple and practical without them. Wrought iron bars can still provide security if not 100% privacy, but this can also be advantageous for property owners. If there are no visual obstructions like shrubbery or low walls, vandals and suspicious loiterers are easily visible from inside the property.

Design Elements that Enhance Security

What’s great about metal gates is they’re very versatile when it comes to design. Modern takes of solid, iron gates, for example, use aluminum panels with custom-designed etchings. These designs can range from clean-cut geometric slats to more intricate styles like bamboo, leaves, and abstract patterns. Strategically positioned etchings allow a property’s occupants to see who’s on the other side of the gate and still get plenty of privacy. If you equate privacy with higher security, this style is for you.

Spikes on the top of the gate are precautionary and aesthetic at the same time. If security is a big concern, it’s better to make sure the gate is high enough that it won’t be easy to scale; more so if attempted with stealth.

If there must be a gap below the gate (which is the case for automatic sliding gates), the space should be just wide enough for the wheels to roll freely through the tracks. Any wider and you’ll run the risk of stray animals — even people — sneaking into your property through the “crawlspace.” Likewise, the gaps between the bars must be narrow and discourage attempts to climb the gate. Solid metalworks interspersed with spikes and narrowly spaced bars is a perfect example of this.

Consult Our Experienced Metal Gate Contractors

Secure your home or property without compromising curb appeal by choosing a gate that offers both. 4 Sure Gates can give you valuable advice on this. We have over 15 years of experience in professional gate installations in Dallas and Fort Worth; if you have questions, especially about automatic gates, we’re the ones to call.

You can reach us at (817) 965-7873 or inquire through our website. Contact us today for a free estimate.