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Heavy wood gates typically act as the first entry point onto a property. This is why it is important to take gate security seriously. By securing your gates, you can burglar-proof your home to ensure the safety of your animals, garden, and property.
One way of achieving this is by using cane bolts. A cane bolt, also called a drop rod, is a basic gate latch made up of a long metal rod with a curved handle. It keeps a gate latched by attaching to the gate via one or more fasteners.
Besides providing great security, cane bolts can prevent your gates from blowing open and shut in the wind causing a disturbance. While the cane bolt might appear rudimentary, it has been the go-to gate security part for decades, especially before the advent of technologically advanced locks like remote control, sensor, or keypad access control systems.
Secure Heavy Wood Gates Using a Cane Bolt
The cane bolt is the best choice for heavy wood gates that aren’t automated. While security is the most important factor of a security gate, it shouldn’t hinder the curb appeal of your property. With a cane bolt, you can get a wood gate crafted to be aesthetically pleasing and consistent with your property’s style.
Using a cane bolt can also be a low-tech way of securing your home. In this era of constant hacks and cybersecurity infiltration, a low-tech system like a cane bolt can be one of the best ways to protect your property. Not only do cane bolts make penetrating your perimeter remotely impossible, but it also ensures that any would-be intruders would have to work to gain access to your property.
Tired of manually opening and closing your gates? Convert to a swing or slide gate.
The best cane bolts are manufactured to withstand harsh weather conditions. They are also compatible with double or single gate latches in both closed and open positions.
The bolts can be locked in both open and closed positions to ensure adequate gate security and protection. By design, the best cane bolt is typically constructed from stainless steel and is suitable for both vertical and horizontal applications.
When selecting cane bolts for gate security, you can choose to purchase them from a nearby hardware store or simply create your own cane bolts during installation.
- Hold your gate in the open position, lining up the latch.
- Once this is done, you can choose and market a place in the ground to create your cane bolt ground sleeve.
- Move away from the driveway entrance and connect a 12-inch copper pipe with half an inch thickness into the ground.
- You can then open the gate and engage the lock into the copper pipe.
- Make adjustments and mark the top and bottom brackets to ensure they fully engage the latch. Moreover, you should be able to open your double swing gates wide enough without the cable bolts being in the way.
Once this is done, screw the brackets into their rightful place and put the cane bolts into them. You can repeat this process if you install a two-way gate latch.
Cane Bolts Can Help Windproof Your Gates
Nothing is quite as frustrating as dealing with your gates flapping wildly and loudly due to the wind. Most people tend to turn to a chain link for noisy gates; however, a better solution would be cane bolt installation. This is especially true for heavy wood gates.
Latching your gates with cane bolts can be a great solution to prevent your double gate from blowing shut or opening. This installation process can also stop your gates from flapping in the wind during a heavy storm. The simplest solution is to get a latch on the bottom and top of your gate using brackets.
However, this will also require you to install a can bolt between the gates to ensure they remain locked up, even in the open position. When this happens, wind can pass through them without the gate constantly swinging, causing a nuisance.
Consider automating your gate with these automatic access control systems.
What Are the Benefits of Securing Your Property With a Gate?
With a gate, your property has better security. This is one of the major reasons property owners install gates on their premises. Any would-be intruders looking to access the property must surmount a daunting physical obstacle that doubles as a deterrent. Due to this, you can rest assured that your home and its inhabitants will be protected no matter what.
It goes without saying that having a gate for your home can help improve your safety. With a set of gates, particularly those secured using corrosion-resistant cane bolts, you no longer have to be concerned about your pets or children getting hurt by accidentally wandering into the street.
Dogs are prone to chasing other animals and could end up running into the road. The same goes for children too young to consider the dangers of running after a ball.
With a gate, you can enhance your privacy by preventing noisy neighbors from sneaking into your home. This can be useful when you have things in your yard that could negatively affect your house’s curb appeal.
One unintended benefit of securing your property with a gate is that it can help increase its curb appeal. There is something to be said about installing heavy wood gates on a property. They improve security and bring up your home's aesthetic rating. It also doesn’t hurt to select from simple designs to extremely ornate ones that still serve a function. Your gates are bound to impress passersby and neighbors alike.
Securing your property with a gate can also help increase its value. By simply protecting your home, potential buyers would be willing to pay more for it. It doesn’t matter if you want to sell anytime soon; this benefit cannot be understated financially.
