A quality gate is an investment into a home or business security system and a reliable way of protecting your property from intruders. But manually opening and closing your driveway gate can become a real chore - which is why many users purchase an automatic gate opener. In this article, we’ll be looking at the top benefits of a dual-swing automatic gate opener.
What is a Dual Swing Gate Opener?
There are two primary categories of automatic gate opener - swinging and sliding. A swinging automatic driveway gate opener swings inward or outward and is attached to a gate with swinging doors. A “dual swing gate opener” contains two automatic opener mechanisms attached to a gate with side-by-side swinging doors. Depending on the design, the openers will swing open in either direction (or both directions).
Different dual swing gate openers are rated to handle different sized gates, based on the weight and length of the gate. They also might have different power sources, remote settings, detection methods, and more. We’ll cover some of these categories below.
Top 4 Benefits of a Dual Swing Gate Opener
Several notable benefits of a dual swing gate opener extend far past the obvious benefit of automatically opening your gate. Here are the features we like best:
Convenience
Although it is an obvious benefit, it’s no less worth mentioning. Dual swing gate openers offer the primary benefit of superior convenience for opening and closing your gate. This convenience is particularly notable for a dual swing gate, which requires you to open and close two gates each time you use the gate. It’s also helpful if you’re entering the gate with a vehicle, saving you the trouble of exiting and entering the vehicle each time you use the gate.
If you use your gate frequently, then the benefits of an automatic opener cannot be understated. They’ll save you time and effort while still allowing the gate to do its job in safeguarding your property.
Weatherproof
Quality double swing gate openers are built to exacting standards with quality construction materials and can handle anything Mother Nature can throw at them. Nature is a concern with any mechanical or electrical component exposed to the elements, but you don’t have to worry if you purchase a quality gate opener. Many premium gate openers use heavy-duty cast-aluminum housing to safeguard their interior components and motor. This not only keeps these components safe but also safeguards the exterior from rust and corrosion. Many of these gate openers can handle extreme temperatures and any precipitation.
Many Uses/Cycles
Some gate openers are designed to be used more frequently than others. The key is to match your gate opener with your intended usage requirements. Most gate openers measure usage in “cycles/day”, representing the number of times you can open or close the automatic opener. This number is based on the device’s power source and the quality of its components.
Some gate openers are hardwired, using a (usually) 115V electrical connection to power the motor. These devices can handle more cycles and heavier usage and are more suitable for commercial use. However, since many people cannot access hardwiring near an exterior gate, they need to rely on a rechargeable battery to power their gate. Many gates also use a combination of solar and battery backup power. If your gate receives plenty of sunlight (ideally 8hrs/day), then it can generate enough solar power for multiple uses each day.
Safe & Effective
Modern automatic gate openers have a surprising number of functions that ensure safe, easy, and efficient operation. Most dual swing gate openers have motion-sensing functionality with a “photo eye” that senses when objects are in the vicinity, ensuring that the gate will not open or close into you or your vehicle, causing damage or harm. You can also use this technology to sense when an object passes through, to quickly close and prevent any “tailgaters” from gaining access to your property.
Many modern dual swing gate openers allow you to customize the speed at which the gates open and close. Speed is especially important for dual swing gate openers if you want a “primary” gate to open and close faster or slower, ensuring that the gate shuts correctly after each use.
All in all, modern dual swing gate openers are built with superior functionality to expedite this daily process, allowing your gate to fulfill its security and access purposes.
Choosing a Dual Swing Gate Opener
If we’ve convinced you of the benefits of dual swing gate openers, you might be overwhelmed by all the choices available within this product category. Dual swing gate openers differ on many performance and construction metrics, making each model more or less suitable for your gate.
Above all, be sure that you pick a gate opener that is rated to handle your gate’s size. Gate openers are generally rated based on the weight and length of the gate. Match these metrics to your gate to ensure proper operation.
From there, consider your usage. If you use your gate opener more often, you’ll want a gate with a reliable power source for handling several cycles per day. Most gate openers will tell you how many “cycles/day” they can handle. For example, if you’re using your gate for commercial reasons or for moderating access to many different vehicles, then you’ll likely require a hardwired connection to facilitate heavy traffic.
From there, consider any other factors we have mentioned above. Gate openers have impressive amounts of functionality, which is often reflected in their price tag. Decide how much you are comfortable paying, and use our guide to make the best choice for you.
We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of the many advantages dual-swing automatic gate openers can bring to your life. If you have any questions about these products or installation services, don’t hesitate to contact us—we are here to answer any inquiries that you may have.
