Electric Gates in Ireland: Everything You Need to Know Before Installing Automated Gates

Electric Gates in Ireland: Everything You Need to Know Before Installing Automated Gates

Electric gates are becoming an increasingly popular choice for homes, businesses and properties across Ireland. As well as creating an impressive entrance, a professionally designed automated gate system can provide greater security, privacy, convenience and control over who enters your property.

At LIR Steelworks, we design and manufacture bespoke gates and provide complete gate automation solutions. From the initial gate design and fabrication through to groundworks, installation, automation and access control, our aim is to provide customers with a complete entrance solution from one team.

If you're considering electric gates in Ireland, here's what you should know before choosing your new entrance.

Why Choose Electric Gates?

One of the biggest advantages of automated gates is convenience. Instead of getting out of your vehicle to manually open and close your gates, an automated system allows your entrance to be controlled remotely.

Depending on the system installed, your gates can be operated using remote controls, keypads, intercom systems, GSM technology or smartphone/app control.

But convenience isn't the only benefit.

Improved Security

Automated gates provide greater control over access to your property.

Rather than leaving an entrance permanently open, electric gates can remain closed when not in use. When combined with an intercom, keypad or other access-control system, visitors can be identified and access can be controlled before they enter the property.

This makes automated gates particularly attractive for private homes, commercial premises, farms and larger properties.

Privacy

For properties located close to busy roads or in built-up areas, the right gate design can also provide considerably more privacy.

Solid or partially enclosed gate designs can reduce visibility into your driveway and garden while creating a defined entrance to the property.

Kerb Appeal

Your entrance is one of the first things people see when arriving at your property.

A well-designed set of gates can completely transform its appearance. Whether you prefer traditional wrought-iron styling, contemporary steel gates or modern composite designs, your gates can be manufactured to complement the style of your home and surroundings.

Swing Gates or Sliding Gates?

One of the first decisions when planning automated driveway gates is whether your property is better suited to swing gates or sliding gates.

Automated Swing Gates

Swing gates are one of the most popular choices for residential entrances.

A pair of gates opens either inward or outward depending on the entrance design, available space and site conditions.

Different automation systems can be used depending on the gate design and installation.

For customers who want a particularly clean entrance, underground gate automation can be an excellent solution because much of the automation equipment is concealed beneath ground level.

Above-ground automation systems can also provide a reliable and cost-effective solution depending on the entrance.

Automated Sliding Gates

Sliding gates move horizontally across the entrance rather than swinging open.

They can be particularly useful where there isn't sufficient space for traditional swing gates or where the layout of the driveway makes a sliding system more appropriate.

Every entrance is different, so the gate design and automation system should be selected based on the actual site rather than simply choosing a motor or gate style from a catalogue.

Choosing the Right Gate Automation System

The automation equipment is a critical part of any electric gate installation.

The correct system depends on several factors, including:

• Gate size, weight and design

• Swing or sliding configuration

• Frequency of use

• Entrance dimensions

• Ground conditions

• Available power supply

• Wind exposure

• Access-control requirements

  
  

This is one of the reasons we believe the gate and automation system should be considered together from the beginning.

At LIR Steelworks, we can design the gates with automation in mind rather than treating automation as an afterthought.

Access Control, Intercoms & Smartphone Control

Modern gate automation can provide much more than simply opening a gate with a remote control.

Depending on the customer's requirements, an automated entrance can incorporate various access-control options.

A GSM intercom, for example, can allow communication with visitors at the gate while providing the ability to grant access remotely.

Keypads can provide controlled entry for authorised users without requiring a remote control.

Smartphone and app-based systems can provide even greater convenience, allowing compatible gate systems to be controlled from your phone.

The right combination depends on how you use your entrance and who requires access to the property.

Gates Built for the Irish Climate

Ireland's weather is an important consideration when investing in new steel gates.

Rain, moisture and changing weather conditions can take their toll on inadequately protected steelwork.

That's why corrosion protection and finishing are extremely important.

At LIR Steelworks, our steel gates are hot-dip galvanised before being powder coated, providing excellent long-term protection while also creating a high-quality finished appearance.

Hot-dip galvanising provides a protective zinc coating to the steel, helping protect it against corrosion.

Powder coating then provides the desired colour and finished appearance.

Customers can choose from a wide variety of colours, allowing their new entrance to complement their home, fencing, railings and surrounding property.

Bespoke Gates Designed for Your Property

We don't believe every property should have the same gate.

Your entrance should suit your home, available space and personal style.

LIR Steelworks manufactures bespoke gates, allowing customers to choose from a range of traditional and contemporary styles.

Options can include steel gates, composite gates, wrought-iron-style gates and other custom designs.

Details such as gate dimensions, infill panels, decorative elements, colours, posts and accompanying railings can all form part of the overall entrance design.

The result is an entrance designed specifically for the property rather than an off-the-shelf solution.

Don't Forget the Groundworks

One area that's sometimes overlooked when researching electric gates is the work required before the gates themselves are installed.

Depending on the project, an automated entrance may require groundwork and civil works for gate posts, foundations, underground automation equipment, electrical ducting, cabling, drainage and access-control equipment.

Planning these elements correctly from the beginning can make a major difference to the finished installation.

This is why LIR Steelworks takes a complete-project approach.

Rather than having the customer coordinate several different contractors, our team can look after the project from design and manufacturing through to the required groundworks, gate installation and automation.

Safety Is an Important Part of Gate Automation

Automated gates are powered machinery, so safety must be considered when designing and installing the system.

The complete entrance needs to be assessed, with appropriate safety measures selected for the particular gate system and site.

Professional installation is therefore extremely important.

Choosing an automated gate system shouldn't simply be about finding the cheapest motor. The gates, automation, access controls and safety equipment should work together as one properly designed system.

Servicing & Maintaining Electric Gates

Like any mechanical system, automated gates benefit from regular inspection and maintenance.

Your gate system contains moving components, motors, hinges or running gear, electrical equipment and safety devices that can experience wear over time.

Regular servicing can help identify potential problems before they develop into larger faults and helps keep the system operating correctly.

For this reason, customers investing in an automated entrance should also consider the ongoing maintenance requirements of their system.

Why Choose LIR Steelworks for Electric Gates?

One of the major advantages of choosing LIR Steelworks is that customers don't need to arrange separate companies for every stage of their entrance project.

We provide a complete solution covering:

Design → Manufacturing → Groundworks → Installation → Gate Automation → Access Control → Servicing

Our team manufactures bespoke gates and provides automation solutions, allowing the physical gate and automation system to be planned as one complete project.

We provide gate and automation installations for customers across Ireland and can tailor each entrance to the requirements of the individual property.

Whether you're looking for a contemporary entrance for a new home, traditional gates for a country property or an automated access solution for a commercial premises, we can help design a system to suit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Gates

How much do electric gates cost in Ireland?

The cost of an electric gate installation varies considerably depending on the size and style of the gates, automation system, access-control equipment and the amount of groundwork required.

For an accurate price, the complete entrance and customer's requirements need to be assessed.

Can existing gates be automated?

In some cases, yes. However, the existing gates, hinges, posts, layout and condition of the entrance need to be assessed before determining whether automation is appropriate.

Can I control my gates from my phone?

Yes. Compatible automation and access-control systems can provide smartphone or GSM-based control, depending on the equipment selected.

Are electric gates suitable for existing homes?

Absolutely. Automated gates can be installed as part of a new build or incorporated into an upgrade of an existing entrance.

Should I choose swing or sliding gates?

This depends on the layout of your entrance, available space, ground levels, gate dimensions and several other factors. A site assessment can help determine which configuration is most suitable.

How often should automated gates be serviced?

The appropriate maintenance schedule depends on the system, its usage and the manufacturer's requirements. Regular professional servicing is recommended to keep the gate and automation equipment operating correctly and safely.

Create Your Dream Entrance with LIR Steelworks

Your entrance is an important part of your property, and investing in the right gates and automation system can provide security, convenience, privacy and kerb appeal for years to come.

At LIR Steelworks, we can take care of the complete project — from designing and manufacturing your bespoke gates through to groundworks, installation, automation and access control.

If you're considering electric gates, automated driveway gates or gate automation in Ireland, contact the LIR Steelworks team to discuss your project and start designing your new entrance.