When it comes to securing your low-traffic area like a private road, rural entrance, construction site, or low-use parking lots, it can be tricky to find a simple, relatively inexpensive option that doesn't need a lot of maintenance. Most of the time you'll find automatic barrier gates that while nice, are maybe just a little too much for what you realistically need or are outside of your budget. Luckily, there are manually operated vertical lift barrier gates and swing barrier gates that offer easily installed security at a highly affordable cost with almost no maintenance.
Why use a Manual Barrier Gate?
It's no secret that automated gates, while convenient and great additions to almost any property, can be rather expensive. So the question is, for areas that aren't in use that often, why spend the money? One of the best benefits of manual barrier gate systems is that they have a very low upfront cost, and due to their infrequent use, they typically don't carry a high maintenance cost either which makes them excellent for budget friendly builds. The other nicety of manual vehicle access control gates is that because there's no electricity or automation involved, you don't have to worry about wiring or having your barrier gate fail because of a power outage or needing an update. It always just works. In short?
- Great for: Private roads, rural entrances, trails, construction sites, low-use parking lots
- Cost-Effective upfront; Low-Maintenance & Installation costs
- No Electricity required; No wiring needed, no worries of a power-outage
Vertical Lift Barrier Gates
Much like other automatic barrier gates you commonly find at car washes, parking lots, and toll booths, manual vertical lift barrier gates use a long barrier arm that can lift straight up in the air with no need for swing clearance. This means you don't have to worry about how far your gate will swing out into the roadway, just that it has enough clearance above it to open properly.
"Isn't it hard to open? Isn't the bar really heavy?" are questions we're asked often and the answer is that it's actually quite easy to operate one of these barrier gates due to it's counterbalanced design. This means that it can easily be moved in either direction with minimal force as it's balanced on the base rather than being a solid, grounded piece of hardware. While this may not sound secure since anybody could operate these gate openers with ease, have no fear as every one of these barrier arms can be locked in an open or closed position, ensuring that your barrier gate stays where you want it to!
Key Features:
- Lifts straight up - No Swing Clearance required
- Counter Balanced for easy operation
- Reflective Tape for easy visibility
- Quiet Rubber Bumpers
- Rubber Grip Comfort Handle
- Surface Mounted
- Lockable open or closed
- Best used for tight/narrow access points
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Swing Barrier Gates
Most commonly used on private roads, schools, and even homes with longer driveways, manual swing barrier gates operate the most like a traditional gate by swinging open and closed. Similarly easy to operate as vertical lift barrier gates, barrier arm swing gates rely on hinges to quickly and smoothly open over 180° forwards and backwards. These hinges are welded on and difficult to remove, making them tamper-resistant for unwanted visitors.
Part of what makes these barrier gates so special is how customizable they are in terms of security and installation. For starters, installation. In-ground mounted swing barrier gates are designed as permanent installations with the use of concrete or asphalt to secure the post into the ground. In-Ground swing barrier gates offer the most amount of security with their sturdy foundations. Additionally, Surface mounted swing barrier gates are meant to be an easy-to-install gate, mounting directly to the ground with bolts through its mounting plate. These gates offer a rapidly installed barrier, with an even more affordable installation method.
Key Features:
- Swings In or Out
- Tamper-Resistant Weld-On hinges
- Lock & Chainable for extra security
- Single or double gate options for larger roadways
- In-Ground or Surface Mount options for maximum customization
- Best used for schools, private roads, ranches, and longer driveways
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How do I choose the right gate?
So now that you know a little more about manual barrier gates, you might be asking which one is right for you. If you're going to have limited space to swing your gate out into the road or down a narrow path, we recommend picking a Vertical Lift barrier gate as they work best with limited space as they open straight up. For spaces where that clearance is available, we recommend a swing barrier gate as they generally provide a little more security as well as fitting the look of private roads, schools, and long driveways a bit better. Both options make great solutions for securing your low-traffic areas at a much lower cost, there really is no wrong choice.
As for in-ground and surface mounted barrier gates, take time to consider how long you want your traffic control gate to be at its designated spot. If you're wanting a temporary solution for something like a construction site, we highly recommend going with a bolt-on barrier gate that can quickly be removed. If it's more permanent such as a gate for a private road, we recommend going with an in-ground gate.
To Summarize:
- Vertical gates work best where space is limited
- Swing gates work best where clearance is available
- Surface-mount is ideal for quick, budget-friendly installs
- In-ground is better for permanent installations
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Have more questions? Looking for more traffic control solutions? Look no further than our expert sales team! We are here to help you figure out what is right for your budget and your installation needs, offering expert advice on security, installation, and even customization options. Looking for a new Traffic System Partner? As a trusted seller our contractors include Government Facilities, Military Bases, Commercial Property owners, Gated Communities, Universities, and more. Learn How to Partner with us Today!
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