Plenty of people come to me thinking they'll just get manual gates to save money and "maybe automate them later". Sometimes that's the right call. Often it isn't. Here's how the two really compare.
The honest comparison
| Manual gates | Automatic gates | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher – swing gates from £2,500 installed |
| Convenience | Out of the car twice, every time | Press a button |
| Do they get closed? | Often left open | Close automatically every time |
| Security | Only when someone closes and locks them | Shut and locked by the motor |
| Kids and pets | Only safe when shut | Shut by default |
| Upkeep | Hinges and finish | Hinges, finish, plus a yearly service |
| In a power cut | No change | Battery backup, or open by hand |
Manual Gates Versus Electric Gates in Cumbria
Manual gates cost less to buy, but in practice many get left open because nobody wants to get out of the car to close them, especially in a Cumbrian winter. An automatic gate closes itself every time, which is where most of its value lies.
We give you an honest comparison, including what each option costs to install and to keep running.
The Running Costs of an Automatic Gate
An automatic gate needs a little more looking after than a manual one. A yearly service, clean photocells and a check on the hinges are usually enough to prevent most breakdowns. Electricity use is very low, because the motors only draw real power while the gate is moving.
If you already have automation that keeps failing, it may be cheaper to repair or upgrade it than to go back to manual.
The big one: do they actually get closed?
In my experience, most manual gates spend their lives lying open. Nobody wants to get out of the car in the rain twice to open and close a gate, so they get left. An open gate doesn't keep anyone out or anything in.
Automatic gates close behind you every time – which is the whole point.
When manual gates make sense
- A gate that's hardly ever opened, like a side or field gate.
- A property where there's no practical way to get power to the gate (though solar or long cable runs can sometimes solve that).
- A tight budget now, with plans to automate later.
Planning to automate later?
If you're putting in manual gates now but might automate them, tell your installer. Make sure that:
- the gates are strong and won't twist or sag
- the posts or pillars are solid enough for motors
- a cable duct is laid to the gate while the ground's open
That saves a lot of digging and cost later. See can my existing gates be automated?
My take
If you're in and out of the driveway every day, automation is worth every penny. If it's a gate you open twice a year, keep it manual.
Want to talk it through? Call or WhatsApp Adrian on 07854 037752.
Questions people ask me
Are automatic gates much more expensive than manual?
Automation adds to the cost of the gates. A complete electric swing gate installation typically starts from £2,500, and I'll price adding motors to your own gates after a free site survey.
Can I automate manual gates later?
Usually, yes – especially if they were built with automation in mind.
Are automatic gates more secure?
Yes, mainly because they close and lock every time.