Choosing the Right Entrance Gate for Your Home

 The security of an entrance gate shouldn’t be reserved for commercial and industrial buildings. Entrance gates for homes are becoming more commonplace in residential areas because they are a relatively low-cost investment – especially considering the added protection it gives you and your family.

Right now is the perfect time to get an entrance gate installed. Kids are out for school, vacations are being taken and more homebuyers are out and about looking at homes and neighborhoods. But what kind of home entrance gates should you be considering? Perimeter Security Systems recommends the following access control gates for homes and residential areas.

Swing Gates

Swing gates are some of the most used access control gates on the market today. These entrance gates are typically located at the front of a driveway and usually require that a code be keyed in before the gate will open. Because of this many swing gates must have a control panel as a part of the system. Swing gates can be single swing or bi-parting. Single swing gates have one door, approximately 12’ wide. Bi-parting swing gates are two doors of 14’ or more that open in the middle swinging out in opposite directions. If you have a steep driveway or other obstruction that doesn’t allow the swing gate to open away from the incoming traffic towards the home, then a bi-parting door could be a better option as it has a shorter swing radius.

Slide Gates

Slide gates are a great option for homes that have limited options for swing gates due to obstructions or an inclined driveway that makes a swinging gate more difficult to operate. These access control gates have a door that slides to the side rather than swinging out in front of vehicles entering the property.
Three main components make up a sliding gate system: the gate, a track the gate slides across and a gate opener. The gate opener is a motor that is specified to open gates of a certain length and weight so it’s important to choose the proper motor for your gate.

Barrier Arm Gates

Barrier arm gates are affordable and very effective entrance gates for residential communities. These gates have a long “arm” that stretches out across an entrance, stopping through traffic and preventing vehicles from entering until either a code is entered or an up command is given which raises the arm so vehicles can pass through. Features to look for include:

•    Wood, plastic or aluminum arm that’s brightly colored
•    At least 12’ arm for single lane traffic
•    Multiple up command options
•    Systems with back up DC power in case of an outage
•    Arms that can be mounted from either side of the road

DoorKing is one of the top manufacturers of these types of access control gates.

Solar Powered Gate Openers & The Future of Access Control Systems

The evolution of gate operator systems.

A large, but gradual shift is taking place in the access control industry. Solar powered gate openers are becoming the choice for many home and business owners. By “going green” as many refer to when switching to a natural or eco-friendly energy source, owners are enjoying the benefits of lower energy bills, lower energy consumption and lower environmental contamination such as global warming. Although solar energy is not completely new, it has taken a life of its own inside the gate operator system industry.

The Solar Gate Operator Qualifies for a 30% Tax Credit

The US Federal Government is offering financial incentives to homeowners for the use of solar powered systems at their home. Homeowners are able to apply for a Federal Tax credit equal to 30% off the installed cost of their Solar Powered Gate Operator System.

What is Covered: This solar system Tax Credit applies to the total installed cost of the solar gate opener system. This includes the related solar panel, opener, access control device, remote controls, obstruction detection device(s), etc.

What is Not Covered: The cost of the gate itself, or work required to place the physical gate into proper working order (leveling the gate, replacing hinges, etc.)

Qualifications:

• The installation of a Solar Gate System can qualify for a 30% tax credit on the installed system cost
• Effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2008
• You will need to use The Federal Tax Credit form 5695, Residential Energy Efficiency Property Credit
• You will need to provide a copy of the "Manufacturer's Certification for Credit"
• The dwelling must be located in the United States and be used as a residence by the taxpayer
• This offer is only available in the United States

Features of popular solar ready models include:

• Impact resistant glass surface and allows maximum light transmission.
• Polycrystalline solar cells are encapsulated and bonded to the glass in multiple layers of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and laminated with a white Tedlar(TM) backing insuring long life in severe environmental conditions.
• A weather resistant junction box accommodates all wiring methods including moisture-tight strain relief connectors and electrical conduit. Bypass diodes insure reliable operation.
• Anodized aluminum tubular frames add strength and durability. Frames come with predrilled mounting holes.

Some of the key components to a fully functional solar gate operator include the following:

• Solar Panels – The source for capturing and storing energy generated by the sun. Sizes and watt count vary depending on the size and weight of the gate.
• Panel Mounts – Positioning is important when using solar panels. The mount should be sturdy enough to carry the right solar panel at the right angle.
• Voltage Regulators – In order to keep energy levels balanced and gates operational, the right voltage regulator is needed. The type of regulator you will need will depend on the size and weight of your gate.
• Batteries – Why batteries? Batteries are used as backups within solar powered gates when energy levels are low; so that your gate will open every time, even when there is a longer than expected overcast.

As populations continue to grow and the demand for high traffic volume gate operators increases, we expect solar gate operators to be the logical choice for more home and business owners.

Have questions about a particular solar gate operator? Please share it with us using the comments below, or call one of our Solar Powered Gate Operator experts at 1-800-676-4909.

Se habla español.  Llámenos al 1-800-676-4909 y le atenderemos en español.

7 Types of Access Control Options & Usages

Discovering the best options to secure your home or business.

Now more than ever, access control systems are being utilized by more homes and businesses across the USA and abroad. Do you live in a gated community? Does your job require a badge to access your building? If you answered yes to either question, then chances are you interact with an access control system on a daily basis.

For many users, interacting with most access control systems has become a customary task. However, for home or business owners, deciding how much security is needed and which type of system to install can be a daunting task. For this reason, PSS Store put together the 7 most common types of access control options and how they can be used to secure your home or business.

Whether you are looking for residential or commercial entry security options, most of the access control options below apply to both entities.

1. Keypad Access Systems – We have all used Keypad Access Systems in one way or another. With thousands of password combinations, access keypads are one of the most secure types of entry systems. Don’t ever worry about losing your keys again, with a keypad you can create your own passcode and only grant access to a selected group.
2. Card Access Systems – This is an advanced entry system that requires a specialized card for entry. With electronic card access systems, you can program cards individually making it unnecessary to manually change locks. Only those with access cards are allowed to enter the residence or business.
3. Internet Access Controls – Looking for a more advanced access control system? Then an Internet Access Control may be just what you need. Via smartphone or computer, home or business owners can monitor and operate garage door openers and turn on or off lights in or around your home. Essentially, these tasks can be done from anywhere around the world!
4. Emergency Access – Allowing easy access for emergency vehicles or postal carriers into a residence or business is essential. With emergency and postal lock boxes you can be sure that the proper personnel always have access.
5. Battery Backup Systems – No entry system would be complete without the proper battery backup. In the case of a power outage and emergencies, a backup battery system is highly recommended. Battery Backups ensure that both slide and swing gates can open during power outages and emergencies
6. Magnetic & Electric Locks – This is one of the most powerful forms of locking mechanisms on the planet. Depending on the size and power, a magnetic or electric lock can be suitable for either a home or business. These forms of locks have many usages and can be applied to gates, doors and other points of entry.
7. Scheduled Access Timers – Looking for secure and automated access control system? Scheduled access timers make it easier than ever to operate your garage door opener. This device is smart enough to sense when you enter the garage and then turns on the operator lights automatically. In addition, the system is programmable to detect time, garage temperature and even motion outside of the garage door.

Have questions about a particular access control system? Please share it with us using the comments below, or give Perimeter Security Systems a call at 1-800-676-4909.  Se habla español.  Llámenos al 1-800-676-4909 y le atenderemos en español.