Electric gates or manual gates. This question can come from anywhere but the most common place we hear this question is from people shopping around for electric gates wanting to know if the electric gates are worth the price or do they just want to go with manual gates. The honest answer is, it is partially subjective.

Electric gates definitely are convenient. You sound like a tech dork but when you are coming home from a long day and it is pouring rain, the last thing you want to do is get out of the car to press a button for the gates. It is also a huge difference for people that are disabled. It can make or break a situation for people that are in the older demographic.

The price difference is something to consider for some people. One set of gates can run about $1500, and if you want to set the gates with full automation, it can run about $4500. There is a big difference because fully automated gates come with additional features like a control board, installation, and a control box.

This is also where it gets interesting. While the manual gates need to be checked and oiled, the electric gates need servicing to make sure the motors, sensors, and all the wires are functioning properly. This can cost anywhere from $100 to $15 Depending how many services you need to get a decade. If a motor fails, it can run another few hundred.

Manual gates are near 100% reliable – they just have hinges that need occasional maintenance. Electric gates can also be reliable, but their complexity introduces other points of potential failure. We’ve replaced control boxes after 7 years, motors have lasted 15. It’s just how electronics are, they fail.

Even after investing in backup batteries, your gates will be closed during a power outage. Gates will need to be unlocked and opened manually to the battery backup, defeating the purpose.

Electric gates usually only make sense to us after several daily uses. You can have a repeat and torriac open gates several times a day. Otherwise, it’s just opening gates in the same way.

Fire and other determined people equitable gates override your intercom integrated automation. Electric gates are just as secure.

The resale value of a property is a consideration people value differently. Electric gates are an increasing appealing aspect of a property. Whether value is incremented by 3k via gates is arguable, they do look nice in the photos. A mature property aspect is the executive feel of an electric gate.

Most of our gates are electric. We have a growing trend of electric gates that five years ago was 20% and is now 40%. Only 60% of our customers choose automatic gates. Prices have come down a lot which is making a huge difference. Regularly we have a system of ordering gates that accepts future automation. In a few years when gates are motorized a little more has to be spent now on the posts.

We’ve got customers who love their gates, wouldn’t be without them, electric and some prefer manual, which they love, and find it simple and nothing to service. Simple costs of both appreciate their choice.

What we don’t do is push the expensive option. You want manual gates? We’ll make good manual gates. You want electric gates? We’ll set you up properly with decent motors and service. Your money, your choice, we just make sure whichever you pick works properly for the next two decades.