Are Metal Gates Better Than Wood Gates?

Choosing the right gate for your home or business can be overwhelming. With there being so many choices, you might be debating on whether to choose metal or wooden gates for your property. Here are a few reasons why you should choose metal gates over wooden gates.

1. Improved Durability

Metal gates, especially those made out of wrought iron, are very durable compared to wooden gates. The material is harder to destroy so you are not likely going to suffer termite infestation or rotting due to weather elements compared to wooden gates. If you want to add heavy ornaments to your metal gates, you can do so without any worries.

2. Numerous Designs

Metal gates come in different designs so you can choose anything you prefer effortlessly. If you have a design in mind but can’t find it in the market, you can easily customise one for the best results. If you have an idea that you want for your gate, you can easily create it and have a great design for the metal gate on your property.

3. Improved Security

Whether you are looking for a gate for your home or business, your main focus should be security. Well, you can enjoy improved security with metal gates over wooden gates. Metal gates are the perfect deterrents to intruders so your home or business should be safe.

4. Easy Installation

Metal gates are very easy to install on a residential or commercial property. You can either make it a DIY project or hire a professional to install the gate for you. It shouldn’t take more than a few hours to have a beautiful metal gate installed on your property. The installation involves the brackets, posts and hanging the gate as well as bolting the fence panels which is a very seamless process.

5. Easy Maintenance

Yes, metal gates might be quite expensive compared to wooden gates. However, they are easy to maintain and the cost to do so is very minimal. As such, you should be able to get a good return on investment with a metal gate compared to a wooden gate. Make sure the gate is coated to avoid rusting. Also, you should occasionally wash it with warm soapy water to remove any dirt or debris.

If you are debating on a metal gate or a wooden gate for your home or business, these benefits of a metal gate should help you make your mind fast! It’s also worth considering the importance of adding value to your home. Many people like to choose features (inside and outside) that add to the price of their property when it comes to selling it. With metal gates, you’re more likely to increase value, especially compared to traditional timber fencing. Metal gates can also add more character, elegance and charm to your property, which is particularly great for those characterful homes situated in the rolling countryside. For example, most modern new builds have basic timber fencing, so it’s a way of being different and really stand out from similar-sized properties, so you’re more likely to attract a buyer quicker.

How Is Retail Security Changing In The UK Today

There are so many ways that retail security measures are changing day by day. There are controversies around the world, ones that have led people to increase security measures significantly. Although there are many people that do shop online, this does not mean that online stores are safe. Hackers are becoming more common, infiltrating through firewalls that have been set up which use to protect these retailers. Therefore, in the United Kingdom, there are many retail security changes that are happening now that are designed to help protect businesses.

Physical Store Security Changes In The UK

There are three things that retailers today need to worry about in regard to security. First of all, and most common, or those that will try to break in after hours. That is why many companies have set up a large number of cameras, sensors, and alert systems that can identify when the intruders are trying to break in. Second, they may also install metal doors that will go over there existing doors that will deter the criminals from going through them. The second reason that physical store security has changed is during the day. They are often equipping more guards to protect not only their employees but consumers that may be coming into their place of business. Finally, security systems are also in place, running 24 hours a day inside of these facilities, to identify shoplifters, and other individuals, that will either steal or try to create mayhem.

Is This Changing Online As Well?

Things are also changing online because of hackers that have become so prominent on the web. They are becoming much more clever, capable of hacking into even the most solid security systems. Therefore, security measures are put in place, sometimes threefold, to make sure that hackers cannot reach all of them. We live in a world today where hacking is becoming easier due to the technology that has been produced.

In the UK, you will often see changes in the way that businesses are operating. You are no longer going to simply see stores that are absent cameras, security guards, or some type of other protection. The same is true for all of their websites. As things continue to progress, perhaps we will reach a point where security in the UK will begin to diminish. Until that time, you can always expect to see security at stores, especially in prominent areas where crime is the most prevalent.

What about small firms?

Small independent retailers need security in place just as much as the major players. With every CCTV camera, alarm, security guard or security shutter in place, small businesses can improve security, reducing theft, vandalism and anti-social behaviour. The retail sector evolves at a rapid pace, but it means flexibility is key and you can find many top quality retail security companies who provide guards whenever you need them, whether it’s once a week, every day or on an ad-hoc basis.

Considering the Best Spots for Camera Placement

One highly recommended and effective security measure is the use of CCTV. If you are planning on putting up some cameras, it is important to consider the best positions for camera optimisation and safety of the system itself.

Things to Consider for CCTV Placement

Do Your Research
Speak to previous owners or landlords, to ascertain which areas of the property have proven most vulnerable to break-ins in the past, if applicable.

Consider vulnerabilities
Think about out which areas are the least secured or most hidden from public view which potential thieves might consider an easier target.

Protection from weather
Be sure that your security cameras will be sheltered from the elements and not in the most weather vulnerable spots, so as to prolong their life. Also consider if any vegetation could conceal the view of the camera or if a bright glare from the sun will disturb the images.

Additional Features
Some cameras may have the option for night vision or weather proofing which enhances the effectiveness of the camera, so be aware of any additional requirements associated with these features.

4 Top reasons for Buying Secure Steel Personnel Doors

Steel personnel doors are mostly used in police stations, hospitals, and other commercial premises. The purpose of steel personnel doors is to improve security and boost the aesthetics of the commercial premise. Personnel doors are designed to provide a quick and convenient way for people inside a building to be able to escape as quickly as possible in the event of a fire. .You should consider these doors for your commercial premises because the material used to make these doors is strong and durable. That is why any business can use these doors to achieve their security goals. The following are the top reasons to buy secure steel personnel doors.

Improve Security

Business owners should focus more on the security of their commercial premises. It is difficult to find the right door on the market. The design of steel personnel doors focuses on security. These doors have different security features, which depends on your needs. You can even customise your steel personnel door to maximize the security of your commercial premises. You will achieve your security goals by customising your doors.

Fire Escape

It is important to consider the fire exit before installing a door in your commercial building. It is difficult to escape through some doors during a fire outbreak. Fortunately, it is much easier for people inside the building to escape through the steel personnel doors. These doors usually have various panic escape and hardware options. You will never have to worry about your employees getting trapped inside the building in case of a fire outbreak.

Fire Resistance

Some doors, such as wooden doors, are not fire-resistant, so a fire can spread to other areas of your commercial premise. Steel personnel doors can avoid the spread of fire because they are made to contain a fire for a long time. A fire cannot damage these doors easily. You do not even have to replace your doors after the fire outbreak. You can just repaint them if they are still in good conditioning. Ideally, you want to invest in a steel personnel door which is fire rated for up to 4 hours, because then you have a high level of protection in place, being able to minimise damage to your building and assets whilst reducing operational downtime as a result.

Provide Peace of Mind

It is hard to have peace of mind if you cannot trust your doors. Having doubts about the security, which your doors provide, can make it difficult to live peacefully. Installing steel personnel doors can give you peace of mind because you know your doors will keep intruders outside. It is difficult to break these steel doors, so introducers might not bother to break your doors.

These are the top reasons for buying secure steel personnel doors. These doors can give you peace of mind. They are fire-resistant, so they can stop the spread of fire. And they can improve the security of your commercial premises.

Insulated Steel Doors Add To Energy Efficiency And Fire Ratings

Industries and commercial enterprises need large doors to facilitate entry and exit of materials, transporting and lifting equipment, as well as to ensure protection to the premises. Steel doors are commonly used and can be roller shutters or sliding and folding shutters. Steel doors are however susceptible to rusting and denting and will require to be coated with protective paint or other coatings. One disadvantage with steel doors is that they have to be manufactured to the exact dimensions of the opening, as they cannot be trimmed or planed, as you can do with wooden doors.

Steel doors are made of a steel frame that is covered, often on two sides to present a sturdy construction. Adding insulation to steel doors is fairly easy, and this can be achieved by filling the gap between the two side panels. This insulation can be foam or any other form of insulating boards. The air gap between the two side plates also adds to the insulating properties. This insulation also adds to the stiffness of the door and renders it more sturdy. The weight increase from this insulating material is minimal and will not pose any additional problem in its operation.

Insulated doors can prevent the transfer of energy and will help to keep the interiors cooler, or prevent loss of heat from the interior during winters. The insulation also acts to increase the acoustic properties of the door and prevent noise from outside. This operation also helps to dampen the noise of operation. The insulation can also add to the fireproof rating of doors, and this helps in many cases to help in reducing insurance premiums for premises that have insulated steel doors installed for entry and protection.

The additional stiffness provided by the insulation also allows insulated steel doors to have better wind resistance and can help in protecting the premises during hurricanes and other adverse weather conditions. The provision of ventilation or vision panels can lead to the door insulation being slightly compromised, but with proper attention to the design and placing of these openings, this can be greatly reduced.

The insulating material used in steel doors is polyurethane, polystyrene, fibreglass, or even honeycombed kraft paper. This material adds to the fire resistance of the door and a rating of 180 minutes is an acceptable standard for industries. It is essential that any adhesives used for bonding the material also have proper thermal properties.

Even for the small internal doors in offices, shops and logistics centres, insulated steel doorsets have become very popular. They can be built to your exact specifications, within budget, any size, any colour — so you get a great deal of control over the look, durability and security of the door. Furthermore, these steel doorsets provide an effective alternative to solid timber doors, while guaranteeing excellent sound and thermal performance. If you need doorsets for your building, steel is a fine choice, and we recommend you take a look at the many manufacturers in the UK. With improved thermal efficiency and an increased lifespan, you can add value, protection and privacy to your building, no matter the size of your openings.