Do gates improve home security?
Discussion
Our house - whilst set back from the road by about 20 metres, has no gate across the driveway.
All of the garden is fenced (although could be scaled fairly easily in some places) but anyone could walk into our driveway from the street, walk 20 metres and be in front of the house.
Now that the house is empty a couple of days per week (wife working part time) I'm stressing about security, particularly since she came home a few days ago to find a suspicious bloke hovering outside the front door
Anyway
Would it improve security significantly to put a gate across the driveway? Bearing in mind that gates can be climbed..?
I guess it would improve things a bit, but not sure if it would be worth the cost - especially if they'd have to be automated (which I suspect they would, due to the proximity to the road of the only suitable location for the gates...)
All of the garden is fenced (although could be scaled fairly easily in some places) but anyone could walk into our driveway from the street, walk 20 metres and be in front of the house.
Now that the house is empty a couple of days per week (wife working part time) I'm stressing about security, particularly since she came home a few days ago to find a suspicious bloke hovering outside the front door
Anyway
Would it improve security significantly to put a gate across the driveway? Bearing in mind that gates can be climbed..?
I guess it would improve things a bit, but not sure if it would be worth the cost - especially if they'd have to be automated (which I suspect they would, due to the proximity to the road of the only suitable location for the gates...)
I think they're more of a minor distraction to be honest, but prevention is better than cure...
Barbed wire round the top of the fence and gates? Or spikey fences and gates like we have at the office? I tried to climb over them once because I'd forgot my keys for the outer padlock and I think if I hadn't given up and called in another keyholder I'd have rapidly bled to death...
Barbed wire round the top of the fence and gates? Or spikey fences and gates like we have at the office? I tried to climb over them once because I'd forgot my keys for the outer padlock and I think if I hadn't given up and called in another keyholder I'd have rapidly bled to death...
You will also need to ensure that there is nothing in your deeds which precludes this and that you are not in an area where PP will be needed.
If PP is needed you will have to prove that you can drive the car off the roadway, stop and be able to open the gates (they wont care if they are automated or not IME), without obstructing the roadway in any way.
As for security, it's horses for courses. It isn't likely to stop someone who is set on robbing your house but it will deter petty thieves far more than an open drive would i would suggest,
If PP is needed you will have to prove that you can drive the car off the roadway, stop and be able to open the gates (they wont care if they are automated or not IME), without obstructing the roadway in any way.
As for security, it's horses for courses. It isn't likely to stop someone who is set on robbing your house but it will deter petty thieves far more than an open drive would i would suggest,
Strictly from a security perspective I wouldn't have thought so. As you say, too easy to scale. To be really effective they'd have to be 12 feet high and lined with razor wire, which aside from being unsightly and making everyone think you are either a) odd or b) a drug lord named Mendoza, would be essentially compromised by your fence.
If security is the issue, perhaps look at some CCTV, decent monitored alarm etc.
If security is the issue, perhaps look at some CCTV, decent monitored alarm etc.
We recently had ours done , we have two driveways so thats two pairs of gates and a pedestrian gate, automated both gates as well as they open towards the road we also fitted a chime which trips when someone walks through the pedestrian gate
You could jump over the gates or over the wall we have running in front of the house but that looks pretty dodgy during the day
We certainly feel more secure and i think the house looks more secure , the dog has quickly learned to pay attention if the gate chime goes off
I guess its like anything its all about making your house harder work that your neighbours.
You could jump over the gates or over the wall we have running in front of the house but that looks pretty dodgy during the day
We certainly feel more secure and i think the house looks more secure , the dog has quickly learned to pay attention if the gate chime goes off
I guess its like anything its all about making your house harder work that your neighbours.
It's been said on here before. Its not about stopping someone getting to you, if they want your house, they'll do it.
Its about moving them onto the next house when picking.
A gate would ensure they cant just wonder up (was just checking the house number mate, i've got a parcel for 45, you're 43). But they'd need to climb it. There is then the potential to be spotted.
Walking up a drive, think nothing of it. Someone walking up a drive with a closed gate, might trigger peoples suspensions.
Its about moving them onto the next house when picking.
A gate would ensure they cant just wonder up (was just checking the house number mate, i've got a parcel for 45, you're 43). But they'd need to climb it. There is then the potential to be spotted.
Walking up a drive, think nothing of it. Someone walking up a drive with a closed gate, might trigger peoples suspensions.
Edited by illmonkey on Thursday 8th January 11:18
Security is mostly about your stuff just appearing to be more hard work to break into than the next guy's.
If you're at all worried, I'd go for it. It makes it harder for someone to scope the place out without risking looking dodgy and they won't as easily be able to get a vehicle in and out which restricts them somewhat.
Shouldn't be too expensive these days?
If you're at all worried, I'd go for it. It makes it harder for someone to scope the place out without risking looking dodgy and they won't as easily be able to get a vehicle in and out which restricts them somewhat.
Shouldn't be too expensive these days?
Gates will deter oppourtunists and make people who are doing something wrong stand-out get noticed.
Nobody will bat an eyelid about someone walking up you drive but people will notice if there is someone climbing ove the gate.
Also if oppourtunists can't just wander round and have a look the won't bother.
Nobody will bat an eyelid about someone walking up you drive but people will notice if there is someone climbing ove the gate.
Also if oppourtunists can't just wander round and have a look the won't bother.
My opinion on gates is this...
When you are driving along a country lane... whizzing past hedgerows... do you notice driveways or solid wooden gates?
I would say that it is rare to even notice let alone take note of gates yet a driveway is always slightly intriguing.
Having brand new shiny gates will obviously draw attention but a weathered solid obstacle will just blend in.
Of course... if someone has marked your house then there is not much any gates will do about it but for the casual observer your driveway will disappear into the background.
Worth it for the peace of mind alone I would have said.
When you are driving along a country lane... whizzing past hedgerows... do you notice driveways or solid wooden gates?
I would say that it is rare to even notice let alone take note of gates yet a driveway is always slightly intriguing.
Having brand new shiny gates will obviously draw attention but a weathered solid obstacle will just blend in.
Of course... if someone has marked your house then there is not much any gates will do about it but for the casual observer your driveway will disappear into the background.
Worth it for the peace of mind alone I would have said.
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