For some of the best customisable driveway gates Cape Town has to offer, look no further than Glow Innovations. We know that installing a driveway gate, or any gate for that matter, can be somewhat confusing and overwhelming with all the options available. There are several factors to consider, from choosing the style of the gate to choosing the materials that it should be made from; driveway gate purchasing and designing can be overwhelming.
Read further to discover a few simple questions to ask yourself when choosing and installing a driveway gate for your property.
What Is The Purpose Of The Gate?
When choosing a driveway gate, you must first consider what its purpose is going to be. Is the gate going to be installed for security reasons and require extra security features? Is the gate mostly needed for privacy and does it require a design that prevents passersby from seeing into the property? Is the gate going to be installed for mainly aesthetic purposes with a unique design to set the property entrance apart from neighbours?
Your driveway gate could be needed for one or more of these reasons. Understanding the purpose of your driveway gate will help to identify what materials will be needed to manufacture the gate, as well as what design, style, and safety features should be incorporated.
Driveway Gates Cape Town: What Is Your Budget?
Look at your available funds and determine what exactly your budget is. This will help to create a process of elimination from the available gate designs. At Glow Innovations, we have driveway gates of all styles and sizes, made from a variety of materials. Regardless of your driveway gates’ main purpose, we will have one that is suited to your budget, be it very modest or limitless. Establishing a budget will help direct your decisions regarding the materials, design, and features.
How Wide Should the Gate Be?
Most standard driveway gates (Cape Town) are between 3 to 5 metres wide. With that being said, some driveway gates in residential properties, such as complexes or estates, can be larger and up to 6 or 8 metres. Usually, your driveway gate size will be dependent on your property size, as well as whether vehicles will be driving in and out at the same time, and whether larger vehicles will be entering into the property. If your driveway is curved, you may also need a larger gate to allow vehicles plenty of space to turn and enter the property without bumping into the gate or wall.
How Tall Should The Gate Be?
Driveway gates are normally around 2 metres tall in South Africa. At Glow Innovations, we can customise your gate and make it either taller or shorter, depending on what the purpose of the gate is. Taller driveway gates, around 2 metres, are more advised as this keeps intruders out and maintains privacy. Some estates and complexes may have rules and regulations regarding the height of the gate, so you should speak with your estate management before purchasing your driveway gate.
How Much Bottom Clearance Is Required?
Driveway gates should be at least 8 cm off the ground, and no higher than 15 cm. This is to prevent intruders from sneaking under the gate and from making your driveway gate look as though it is “floating” above the ground. A driveway gate too close to the ground will look more like a fence than a gate, and will also gather leaves by its wheels. This could impact how the gate opens and closes and will require you to regularly sweep under its tracks.
Would A Sliding Or Swinging Gate Be Best?
Swinging gates are a good option if your driveway is sloped, however, they do require more space to open inward and outward. You will need to make sure there is enough clearance space for them to open and that there is enough space for a vehicle to be distanced from the opening gate without getting hit by it.
Swinging gates also need to be properly balanced to be opened, and so this can lead to regular maintenance having to be conducted. Although swinging gate designs offer a romantic aesthetic to your property, they can have vulnerable points with regard to security, especially at the centre where they meet.
Sliding gates, on the other hand, are a great option for driveways with limited space as they tuck away neatly when opening. They work best on flat driveways and provide excellent security. They provide a sleek and modern appearance and can be customised when purchasing through Glow Innovations.
Driveway Gates Cape Town: Should The Gate Be Manual Or Automatic?
Manual driveway gates are operated by hand and require physical effort to open and close, whereas automatic gates are motorised and can be operated using a remote control, keypad, intercom, or smartphone software.
Manual gates are secured using a latch or lock, and automatic gates remain secured when closed. Automatic gate security can be enhanced using features like auto-locking, access control systems, and the ability to monitor gate activity. This makes automatic gates much less vulnerable to unauthorised entry.
Automatic gates are more convenient in that they are opened and closed using the push of a button, whereas manual gates require you to spend time opening and closing them. Unfortunately, because of these features, automatic gates are more expensive compared to manual gates.
Which Material Is Best For A Driveway Gate?
Aluminium, steel, wood, and wrought iron are the most common materials used for driveway gates. At Glow Innovations, we produce our driveway gates using steel and wood. This ensures that the gates can withstand harsh weather conditions and provide strength and durability at all times.
Steel is an excellent choice of material for driveway gates as it makes the gate difficult to tamper with, acting as an excellent feature of security. Steel is also fire-resistant and has a long lifespan, reducing the need for replacement or repairs. The material is also extremely versatile, allowing us, at Glow Innovations, to customise your gate according to your desire.
Driveway Gates Cape Town: Style And Design
Consider the architectural style of your home or building as it’s best to choose a gate that complements your property’s overall look. At Glow Innovations, we can customise your gate to suit the style and aesthetic you are going for. From modern and sleek, to traditional and rustic, we can create the driveway gate of your dreams. Steel gates can also be finished with interesting colours to make your driveway gate stand out from others.
Take a look at our catalogue on our website for the different designs, styles, and finishes available.
What Security Features Are Important?
Security features for driveway gates are crucial for protecting your property. The need for specific features will depend on your location, your budget, as well as your personal preferences. The main security features to consider are locking mechanisms, access control systems, motion sensors, timed access control, emergency access options, battery backup, anti-climb features, and security cameras.
All of these features are not necessary, but we do advise our clients to install some of them for safety reasons. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information or inquiries on what security features to include in your driveway gate.
Driveway Gates Cape Town: Glow Innovations
We, at Glow Innovations, have been manufacturing and installing high-quality driveway gates and other steel products in Cape Town since 2001. All of our products are made locally at our factory in Diep River, Cape Town, and are designed by experienced specialists to suit your needs. From burglar bars and fencing to security gates and driveway gates, we have a range of products to choose from. Our electronics team also offers automation, access control, and electric fencing to pair with your driveway and security gates.
Our product range is not limited to security features and gates, we also produce balustrades, staircases, structural beams, and columns for the building industry. We also offer pergolas, garden trellis, and custom shop-fitting steelworks.
As an organisation, we are constantly looking for ways to create additional value and improve our business. We stay on top of exploring new technologies that will improve your driveway gates (Cape Town) experience. Our electronics team uses an online booking and feedback system and we have created an online shop for you to preview our products.
Browse our online website for pictures and information about our products. We also have an online learning centre or blog which you can explore for more information, as well as tips and tricks. We would love to help you design and install the driveway gate of your dreams.