Call us now on 01763 580956
Call us now on 01763 580956
Enjoy the extra peace of mind and kerb appeal of a striking gated entrance – with electric gates that are beautifully designed, skilfully hand-crafted in the UK, made to last and professionally installed.
We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners like you find just the right gate. Call and ask us for design ideas if that helps. Or browse the inspiration on our gate finder and then call our team to discuss what would work for you.
Any of our styles can be customised, depending, of course, on what will work for your property. Advising you on practical issues is all part of our service. That’s why we start by coming out to see you…
Meet William Baron, our all-round gate expert. William or one of his team will come and visit you to look at all the possibilities and prepare a quote. As well as being steeped in gates, he also has a background in landscape design, so he’ll look at your options in the context of your home, including kerb appeal, the space available and much more.
The idea of geometry might make your eyes glaze over but for our team, it’s a big part of the advice we give and how we decide whether a particular gate style will work for you. And if geometry is your thing, ask William about his thinking!
One of the reasons we come out to see where we’ll be installing the gate is so we can give you an accurate quote, meaning no surprises for you further down the track. You’ll often have an accurate price before William leaves you, and we also aim to email you a comprehensively written quote for your project within 24 hours. Learn more about our pricing here.
Any of our styles can be customised, depending, of course, on what will work for your property. Advising you on practical issues is all part of our service. That’s why we start by coming out to see you…
Find out what happens next: read more about the tried, tested and trusted AutoGate process for us installing a gate you’ll love on our process page.
One of the reasons we come out to see where we’ll be installing the gate is so we can give you an accurate quote, meaning no surprises for you further down the track. You’ll often have an accurate price before William leaves you, and we also aim to email you a comprehensively written quote for your project within 24 hours. Learn more about our pricing here.
Any of our styles can be customised, depending, of course, on what will work for your property. Advising you on practical issues is all part of our service. That’s why we start by coming out to see you…
Find out what happens next: read more about the tried, tested and trusted AutoGate process for us installing a gate you’ll love on our process page.
Ask our experts for straightforward, no-obligation advice on choosing a gate.
You may prefer to skip the information below and simply call our experts to arrange that no-obligation home visit from William to guide you through the gate-buying process. Or you can use this page to understand more about choosing a gate – from the appearance to the construction to the automation – and why the AutoGate Services approach to designing, making and installing gates will give you peace of mind, long-lasting style and value.
Speak to an expert about your automated gate options, without any obligation
“Autogate really are an amazing company. The customer service is outstanding. I had an automatic drive gate installed that is so lovely I opted to match it with a pedestrian gate as seen in the picture. The staff can’t do enough for you. The guys who fitted both my gates went above and beyond to ensure I was happy and that is very much appreciated with a significant purchase. Even after sales service is second to none. If you want an electric gate then Autogate will deliver.“
Isabella Phillips
Have a look at the wooden gate example here – you’ll see it’s solid. It’s what we call ‘fully boarded’. That’s great for ensuring more privacy, keeping unwanted visitors away from your home and making it harder for opportunists to remove items from your property. Also, people cannot see in, and similarly, you cannot see out, which can make you feel more secure.
Most metal gates are made up of bars, rods, circles and fleur-de-lis in various patterns. This means they’re more open in their style – as in the example here. And while they provide a strong, secure entrance, you can see out through them, and other people can see in. This might suit you better if you don’t want to feel quite so tucked away from the outside world.
You could consider having your gate styled from a combination of metal with wood, or metal with composite boards or even aluminium. You might choose to do this for security, design or lower maintenance reasons. For example, you might want a certain amount of solid boarding at the bottom combined with some detailing that’s more ‘open’ in appearance at the top so your dog isn’t disturbed/seen by people walking past.
We’re here to help. If you’re having a gate as part of a larger project at your home, what should come first? The gates? The drive? The brickwork? Our experts will be happy to advise you.
Hinged at the sides, opening in or opening out (although the last option is not the norm, for safety reasons). It could be a single gate leaf hinged on one side of the driveway, or two separate leaves, hinged on either side of the driveway, which meet in the middle to form a pair of gates.
If you’re short of space to park or manoeuvre vehicles on the drive, or the ground’s sloping upwards slightly, it may be better to have a sliding gate. This is a single gate leaf with wheels fitted into the bottom, which then slide along a track inserted into the driveway surface. If you like symmetry, we can also create a sliding gate to look like it’s actually a pair of gates.
This is similar to the sliding gate but fixed to a concrete base at one end and suspended a little way off the ground so it glides freely. This means you don’t need a track and wheels, so it’s ideal for a driveway that slopes left to right/right to left, or where large vehicles will be using it (it eliminates the need for a track which can become damaged).
Would you benefit from a pedestrian gate? It’s worth thinking about so that visitors and delivery drivers can more easily get in and out. Or maybe, you’d prefer to widen your driveway opening by doing away with an existing pedestrian gate? Talk to our experts to discuss if having a pedestrian gate – or not – works best for you.
“Had our wooden gates supplied and fitted and William and his team were a pleasure to deal with from start to finish. We were really happy with the results – beautiful gates which have made us feel much more secure, and enhanced our ‘kerb appeal’.“
Kate Mulcahy
The designs you’ll see on this site are your starting point for a gate customised to exactly what you want – more or fewer panels, rounded or squared finishing touches, different types of curving. Here’s a quick summary to help you choose based on what you want your gate to do. Remember – our experts will happily go through all this with you.
Your gate will be made from Iroko hardwood, which we’ve chosen because it’s a long-lasting and very stable timber that we’ve been working with for over 20 years. You can be reassured about a higher-end look and finish with our wooden gates. For a start, there are no knots in the premium Iroko hardwood we use (because of the way it’s cut from the tree). There’s always the worry with knots that, over time, they might drop out, leaving an unsightly hole. The inconsistency in the grain and colour of this wood gives it a unique appearance. That makes it a very natural-looking product.
All the Iroko hardwood timbers will naturally weather down evenly over a short time to a silver-grey colour. No two wooden gates look the same because, just like nature itself, wood varies in shape and colour, while vein patterns, resin pockets and colour differences contribute to our solid wooden gates having a character all of their own.
The colour of wood will change over time. This is a natural process and part of the enjoyment of owning a wooden gate. The wood still has living characteristics, which means it continues to react to high and low temperatures, daylight/UV rays, humidity and droughts. When it’s cold and dry, wood can contract, which can lead to small cracks. Conversely, when it’s humid, the wood can expand/swell, which can result in slight unevenness.
Want to discover how we take this high-quality wood to a finished gate? Read more about the specialist work of our craftspeople here.
If you want to paint your wood, please talk to us for advice first – as Iroko hardwood timbers need to be de-greased due to the natural tannins within them. We’ll give you more information about how to look after the timber when we install your gates.
For our posts, we use European oak, sourced from fully sustainable sources and carrying both PEFC and FSC certification. It’s highly durable and doesn’t need any treatment – essentially, maintenance-free!
Our skilled craftspeople build our gates with durability in mind, including:
Is wood right for you?
So… is solid hardwood what you’re looking to have for your gates? Before you decide, here are a few points that might affect your decision.
Really, the decision as to whether you have metal or wood is largely down to the purpose of the gate and the look you want for your home. For example, you may want to think about whether privacy is important to you, as most metal gates have an open design that allows people to see into your property.
Metal gates are undeniably imposing, and can offer a more detailed or delicate appearance. Whether you prefer geometric patterns or ornate decorative arches and curves, we have a range of popular styles for you to select from, which we can then customise to your specific requirements, perhaps based on a picture or a set of gates you’ve seen or an idea you have in your mind. They can also be finished in a colour of your choice from the standard RAL range, which we can provide for you.
If you like the look of metal, we’ll help you find a stylish, practical solution. That might be a pair of swing, sliding or cantilever driveway gates, or a pedestrian gate with railings to match – our team will discuss all the possibilities with you.
This is the most usual gate style – symmetrical in appearance and opening inward toward the property. You’ll need to have space to accommodate the gates’ swing when they’re opening, and over a certain width (around 4.5m for single leaf, depending on style), swing gates are not suitable to be automated because they tend to bounce. If you need a bigger opening width, a sliding or cantilever gate may be a more suitable option – see listed below.
Most swing gates are controlled by heavy-duty hydraulic rams that in most cases can only open to 90 degrees. If you need a wider opening, we can provide a metal swing gate to fit an opening of 6 metres.
If there isn’t room on your drive to accommodate a pair of swing gates, a sliding gate may be your best option as it requires less space in front and behind it. Our sliding gate systems allow for different levels of usage and entrances of different widths.
A track is inserted into the driveway surface, and a sliding gate will have wheels that sit in that so it can travel back and forth to open and close. Where necessary, we’ll fit an RSJ rail that can take heavier vehicles crossing over it.
With sliding gates, the driveway needs to be level (left to right/right to left), although we can usually cater for this by way of retaining soil in the area with shuttering, or by fabricating stilts onto an RSJ if the ground falls away. There also needs to be an area the same length of the gate + 500mm to accommodate the gate when it’s in the open position.
As we don’t have to install a rail across your entrance, these gates come into their own if:
Please note, on uneven driveways, a large gap can appear under the gate, which could compromise security if a person can crawl under it.
Our metal gates are made by our on-site, skilled fabrication team in our well-equipped workshop. This enables us to constantly check on quality and not have to depend on a third-party supplier to do so. Choose from our standard range or have something made just for you – all with reliability, durability and style.
Once your gate’s been made and has passed our quality control checks, we’ll finish it with powder coating (with zinc undercoat if required) in a standard RAL colour of your choice, either to blend in or to stand out. Your gates can also be thermal zinc metal sprayed, which gives them an extra tough and durable coating.
Any hinges, gate fixings, and intercom/photocell posts can also be powder-coated to match, which really adds to the overall finish of the installation.
One reason you might choose a metal gate is that it’s low maintenance. The best way of cleaning our metal gates is by regularly wiping the coating using a solution of warm water and mild detergent. Use a soft cloth or sponge to clean them – and definitely nothing harsher than a soft, natural bristle brush.
Might metal be a better choice for you?
“From initial enquiry to the handover of our beautiful gates, the service from AutoGate Services was outstanding. The installation team of Paul and Stuart worked tirelessly, keeping us informed and paying great attention to detail. They ensured that the installation was as perfect as it could possibly be. Unlike some other gate installers, AutoGate Services manufacture their own gates, run the electricity supply, knock down existing gate posts and walls – whatever it takes to do a fantastic job. Highly recommended.“
Roger Silk
These handmade gates combine a metal frame with a beautiful Iroko hardwood – or with woodgrain or textured composite boards.
For example, you could combine the solidity (and greater privacy) of wood with metal detail. Or what about the more open design of metal gates with wooden detail? Or you could combine metal with a composite material for a low-maintenance solution or because you like the more uniform look it gives. Tell us what you’re looking for, and we can suggest ideas.
Metal frame – steel or aluminium for durability and stability
Wood – for a softer, natural elegance
Wood composite – a great alternative for a lot less maintenance
Check out our gate finder, call our experts for information on 01763 853 663, or
It may be that you’d prefer bollards rather than gates for your own home or for an apartment block. They’re useful in preventing unauthorised parking. If there’s little traffic in and out, you may not need electrical operation, and mechanical bollards may be sufficient. Bollards are also a great way to provide more security for a motorhome, caravan or horsebox parked on a drive or in a limited space, where a gate isn’t practical/suitable.
To find out more about bollards, call us now on 01763 853 663 or email us.
“Ian and Dan were very conscientious in their approach to the job and both displayed a high level of skill. Extremely pleased with the new automation and I would not hesitate to recommend AutoGate Services, first-class employees and company.”
Peter Roffey
You’ve chosen the style of gate you prefer. You’ve got ideas for the look. Now you need the automation. No more getting out of the car to open and close the gates in bad weather, and no need to worry whether the last person through actually shut the gate behind them.
Choosing the right system to match your needs is just as important as choosing the best-looking gates. Our experience enables us to select high-quality automation products that help you get the most out of your investment.
We’re very particular about the automation we use. Over the years, we’ve built strong business relationships with companies we trust to provide reliable products, a fast service and the longevity you’d expect from a reputable company.
Here’s more detail about all of those.
This is perhaps the neatest type of system (and is used particularly with metal gates so that the beauty isn’t affected by motors being applied directly to the rear of the gates) as the mechanisms are underground and out of sight. However, you needn’t worry about having your driveway dug up for routine maintenance – lids on the underground storage boxes allow easy access to the motors. The motors are IP (ingress protection) rated, meaning they’re effectively sealed against dirt and water ingress.
Underground motors also enable a device to be fitted with them that allows just one gate leaf or both leaves to open more than the regular ninety degrees, providing greater manoeuvrability on a drive where more space is required for access.
There are factors to consider when choosing gates with underground automation. The first relates to windy locations and fully boarded gates – underground motors are not conducive to those types of gates operating efficiently and is therefore not recommended; another is the size and weight of your gates.
The part of the system that turns the gate – known as the shoe – is fairly small. That means that while underground automation can be well suited to metal or smaller wooden gates, it might not be suitable for large, fully boarded gates. Add a stiff breeze to the equation, and the load can be even greater. If they’re on your wish list, we’ll help you decide if they’re suitable or not.
This uses a ‘worm drive’ style gearbox to power the motors that will move the gates. These motors are better suited to lighter gates, which is visible in the appearance of their design, and they’re also a cheaper option. Remember, an annual maintenance plan with us will keep these motors working efficiently for their lifetime. Please note: Electric gates should be left in the open position during high winds.
Hydraulic rams are powerful and aren’t generally affected by adverse weather conditions, making them a good all-round choice.
Please note: Electric gates should be left in the open position during high winds. The operating units are self-contained, so the aesthetic appearance is neat and uncluttered.
They can be a little more expensive than other options, but with regular maintenance – backed up with an AutoGate Services annual maintenance plan – a hydraulic ram system will give years of reliable service.
At AutoGate Services, we pride ourselves on identifying the right gates with the right automation. That gives our gates a long life and makes them easier to maintain. The system that’s right for you depends on a variety of factors, including the size and weight of your gates and the conditions in your location – many long narrow driveways turn into wind tunnels when it gets breezy. Sliding or cantilever gates have the automation housed above ground.
“You’ll only be able to buy a gate from us that we believe will work for you. Of course, the style you’re looking for is key, but it’s also about the practicalities.”
William Baron, Managing Director
“The Project was to replace an old, non-compliant single leaf ornamental metal gate, controlled by a hydraulic ram, with a pair of gates, to match the old one, with underground actuators and to modernise all control systems … I am extremely happy with the new gates and their operation and the service that Autogate provided … I would be happy to highly recommend Autogate to anyone who asks.“
Julian Leach
If you already have a pair of gates that you love and you’d like to apply automation to them, it’ll probably be possible. However, there are a few issues that could potentially prevent you from doing so. For example:
NB. If you’re thinking of having underground motors, the gates will always be removed from the existing hinges so that this type of automation can be applied.
Can we help you automate existing gates?
Let’s have a chat and we can advise you. Call us now on 01763 853 663
There are several factors that will influence your decision about an entry and exit system – and we’ll run through these with you, but here are some questions that will help you decide:
When you speak to a member of our team, they’ll be happy to explain these to you further and discuss what’s suitable for your requirements but here’s a summary of your options.
“Absolutely outstanding from start to finish. We can’t recommend AutoGate highly enough!
From our first meeting with William (the owner) to the preparation and installation by Richard and Paul we have been thoroughly satisfied throughout the whole process.
They listened to exactly what we wanted and the installation itself was completed neatly, and in a timely manner by Richard and Paul who were polite, friendly and took the time to talk us through every element of the process and functionality of the gates.
We would thoroughly recommend AutoGate services to anyone looking for a professional service.“
Sarah Smith
We’ve been installing gates for over 20 years. Our experience means we offer you a hassle-free installation process. Customer satisfaction is our ultimate priority, and we’ll go above and beyond to make sure you get the installation you’re promised. You can rest assured that our team leaders will check the work carried out at every stage to make sure it meets the standards you’d expect.
Read more about our carefully planned installation process here.
For over 20 years, we’ve provided a premium product and service, and today, we’re a long-established, specialist gate company, still working to our original family values.
Here’s what that means for you:
Practical considerations can affect the type of gate that works best for you. Are you short of space? Is there a slope on your drive? Do you have an accessible electricity supply? Will the local environment impact your choice? Do you have a lot of visitors/deliveries? All these and more can make a difference. If any of these apply to you, speak to our experts to guide you through them.
Traditional, modern, minimalist, ornate…we really do have something for everyone. A combination of what you want, our expertise to know how it will work for your home and drawings from our CGI expert will then make sure your chosen design is beautiful, achievable and on budget.
Once you’ve agreed the design, we’ll start crafting your gates at our Hertfordshire site. Craftspeople and fabricators will take the raw materials and create the high-quality customised gate you’re looking for.
Your gate will be installed by our own teams – we won’t use sub-contractors. Polite, efficient and with safety as their key consideration, they won’t go until you’re happy with everything, and they’re leaving you with a fully working gate – one they’ve shown you how to use.
We don’t just fit your gates and then disappear. You’ll have complete service support to call on. Servicing keeps your gate operating efficiently and ensures that it lasts longer. We have annual, bi-annual and quarterly plans available. Once you’ve subscribed, we’ll be in touch to remind you it’s time for your gates to be serviced.
We take the health and safety of our staff and customers very seriously, and work in line with all current HSE regulations to minimise the risk of accidents on site. Our highly skilled teams will carry out an assessment before your installation gets underway and will review it as it progresses. We are fully paid-up members of the industry-recognised DHF (Door & Hardware Federation) and our teams regularly attend their certified training days and are therefore competent to operate all machines used on-site. Of course, we’re covered by the highest level of insurance in the event anything unexpected happened.
It’s worth remembering that your new, or existing automated gate(s) is in reality a machine, that potentially can cause significant damage/serious harm if not installed correctly, or regularly maintained. Stringent regulations are in place and all electric gate installations must conform to the Health and Safety Executive Machinery Directive/DHF Code of Practice, which is updated from time to time.
Metal gates are generally crafted by us in a way that’s considered to be ‘safe by design’ and all our gates are installed in the manner most conducive to assisting in the prevention of hazards (such as crushing at the hinge points or trapping of a person/child’s limb), which is the main consideration of the HSE. We recognise that not all companies are as meticulous about safety as we are and if you require us to attend to repair your existing gate(s), we will carry out a survey of your installation, prior to undertaking any work, and if upgrades are necessary, we’ll provide you with a written report/quotation of the additional requirements, so that you can enjoy peace of mind that you fully meet the directives/code of practice.
As the responsible provider, we must make sure that the gate system is safe (whether we installed it or not) and takes the current HSE regulations into account and adheres to them. Our installations are fully demonstrated when we hand over to you and are accompanied by instructions for use and maintenance, along with a Declaration of Conformity, and are CE marked as required.
All motors fitted by us comply with British Safety Standards and the current HSE and DHF regulations; our motors are generally 24 volts and either hydraulic or electro-mechanical. 230v motors are no longer compliant due to them not having a built-in ‘stop/back off’ facility and are rarely used as they require additional safety devices to be applied to achieve meeting current regulations – this also makes them significantly more expensive.
Please also note that once an automated gate is installed, it becomes: the owner’s, property manager’s, or landlord’s responsibility – under various pieces of Health and Safety legislation – to ensure that their system is regularly maintained to keep it operating safely. If your gate were to cause injury, you could be held liable.
Rest assured, our team members have been through a rigorous training programme that teaches all the legislative and standards-related information to protect both your legal interests and the safety of those who may encounter your gates.
Our gates and installations conform to the ‘umbrella’ standard shown here and are all CE marked to BS EN13241-1. We’re fully paid-up members of the DHF (Door & Hardware Federation) who liaise with the HSE to ensure that any alterations to the regulations get passed on to us.
Your gates will be covered by our comprehensive guarantee. Read more about it here.
“I had my gates installed by Autogate Services in Aug/Sept and just like other satisfied customers, I am relieved I trusted my instincts and did not choose other firms. It has exceeded my expectations and trust me, they are high. From the start Karen was warm and upfront with advice, costs, having met William the owner, we discussed my needs and shown a sample, I decided to go for it.
The installation team were first class, they were polite, courteous and very clean, arrived on time. Any fears of getting electrical supply were alleviated. This took about 4 days due to heavy rains, I was amazed with the finish and quality and noticed the admiration and envy from neighbors’ and local pedestrians. It stopped traffic.
What I particularly liked was any changes, were discussed with me and I cannot fault the professionalism of all supporting staff, even the after care, I can call them. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them, by all means shop around. I am a very satisfied customer.“
Erika W
Now we’ve explored what buying gates involves, how much could you expect to pay for all this? We’ve explained on this page why we come out to see you, looking to see if there’s anything on site that might impact your choice of gate, or the installation that we do. It means we’ll be accurate with the cost of your project. We’ll be transparent on price. As part of our quoting process, we’ll list out all of the component parts and what they’re for.
Prices vary hugely from project to project and will depend on such things as materials, design, any finishing, how straightforward installation is and what automation you choose. To explore your project and get a guide price, give our friendly team a call to discuss your wish list. We promise, no hard sales pitch, just simple straightforward advice and pricing.
When it comes to gates, ‘cheap’ can be a false economy if it equals lower quality planning, materials, fabrication or installation. Every AutoGate Services gate comes with the peace of mind of a job well done from start to finish – and the backup of our guarantee and our own servicing/repair department covering Herts, Cambs, Beds, Bucks and Northampton as well as parts of Essex and North London.
We accept the following payment methods: Bank transfer (BACS), Visa or Mastercard credit or debit cards, American Express
Keep your gates looking great and working well for years to come. As part of our smooth-running service, you’ll hear from our servicing team a few months after the installation to discuss your options for servicing and maintenance.
We guarantee your gate for two years (read what’s covered here) – as long as you have a service carried out by our engineers one year after the installation. There’s a one-off cost for this of £161.70 + VAT.
Then towards the end of the second year, we’ll be in touch to set up your Service Contract – so you can just leave it to us to remind you when it’s due and liaise with you to arrange it. You don’t need to have it until then – it’s cheaper for you to simply have the service at the end of the first year as a one-off, and that will extend the guarantee into the second year. Read more here.
Get ideas/explore different styles of beautiful gates with our Gate Finder.
Discuss what you’re looking for and get great advice without any obligation – call our team now on 01763 853 663, or
