Automatic and Electric Gates in Kent

Automation retrofits consistently account for more enquiries than any other project type across the Kent network. The scenario repeats across the county: a homeowner with manual gates that are structurally sound, visually right for the property, and capable of another twenty years, who has run out of patience with climbing out of the car every morning. The retrofit leaves the gates untouched. It addresses post condition, hinge alignment, and foundation adequacy, then adds the motor, safety systems, and access control that transform the daily experience.

Motor choice on a retrofit follows the same logic as a new installation, with one additional constraint: the existing posts may not accommodate underground chambers without structural compromise. Where posts sit in adequate concrete with clearance at the base, underground motors are achievable and are the standard request from West Kent homeowners in Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells. Where post foundations are shallow or the surrounding ground is congested, a ram-arm system mounted on the face is the reliable alternative. A good installer makes this call honestly at the survey rather than defaulting to the higher-cost option.

The access control layer is where the retrofit delivers benefits the manual gates never offered. A video intercom with a camera at the entrance and a smartphone app gives real-time visibility of every caller from anywhere. A proximity reader at the post detects a fob in the approaching vehicle and opens the gate hands-free. GSM and Wi-Fi modules connect the system to smart home platforms. For homeowners in the Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells belt where vehicle theft from driveways is a documented concern, a closed automated gate with video recording provides a genuine security layer.