These days, auto gate design in Malaysia truly shows the creativity of various designers, and contractors. There is a wide variety of auto gate design to suite not just the overall look of your home, and you also get to select the material, the color, and of course, your budget.

If you don’t mind paying, you can get real creative with your auto gate like the photo below.

Glass and stainless steel autogate.

Auto gate design with security yet does not make your home a fortress look.

A gate design that provides security and more privacy.

Making a decision on whether you want a sliding auto gate, or a swing type auto gate, is usually simple, since that is dictated by the space you have in your home.

If you have the space for sliding gate, or a larger folding gate, then here are some pros and cons for you to consider.

Auto gate types

Sliding auto gates are robust. The mechanism is a geared motor that engages a row of tooth gear at the bottom of the gate to move your gate. The disadvantages of a sliding auto gate is they open and close rather slowly.

If you gate is too wide, then you have the option of folding auto gate. Folding auto gates have 2 extra hinge to enable the gate to fold, and some design, rely on a roller to support the weight of the gate.

With more parts, there are more points of potential failure. The advantage is folding auto gates uses less space when opened thus is quite popular with house that have a wide gate these days.

However, it may be a bit more difficult to choose your auto gate system, the material of the gate, and the actual design itself.

Factors that affect your auto gate design

Among the factors that will affect you choice is a design that combines

• color and design that match the overall theme or look of your home,
• maintenance required,
• privacy,
• security, and
• price

The factors above combine to affect each other. Some designs that look very artistic, naturally gives you less privacy, and possibly less security. An auto gate design say with low maintenance will usually mean less curvy parts, or parts that are easy to repaint. This will usually be larger flat surfaces.

A design that maximizes privacy, and security can sometimes lead to make a house feels like a fortress, not just to outsiders looking in. It may feel like one to live in as well. It also reduces air flow into your home, so consider this as well when you choose your gate design.

Mild steel auto gates

Mild steel gates auto gates are the most common. Whether you buy a mid price terrace house, or an expensive bungalow, you will probably get a mild steel gate unless you specify something else.

They will require painting every few years to prevent rust. If the metal has been prepared properly with anti rust primer before painting, mild steel gates can last for many many years.

Stainless steel auto gates

Stainless steel auto gates used to be popular several years ago. Most people who choose stainless steel have low maintenance as a higher priority, are not so bothered about the look.

Stainless steel gates will not require repainting as maintenance, but they have a certain look that cannot be avoided. Older types of design sometimes look garish, and out of place with the rest of the house due to the shiny bright design.

You either like it, or hate it. However, newer stainless steel designs are quite modern, and elegance able to match present house designs.

Wrought iron gate

Wrought iron gates is a popular choice if you like rustic, or timeless design. Take note that today, many so called “wrought iron” is misinterpreted to cover all ornamental ironwork.

Most are actually made with mild steel, that has been processed with a machine to give it a certain “wrought iron” look. The material is actually mild steel, so they will require the similar amount of maintenance like mild steel to prevent rust.

Real wrought iron is an iron alloy with a very low carbon content. It is many times heavier than mild steel, and is no longer produced on a commercial scale. ¹

Aluminium auto gates

Lately, aluminium auto gates is becoming popular. Aluminium is light, strong, and has better corrosion resistance compared to steel. That does not mean aluminium does not rust, or the proper terminology is corrode. Under certain conditions, aluminium experience galvanic corrosion, eg when it comes into contact with mild steel. ²

In regular conditions, generally, aluminum requires less maintenance than steel gates. However, aluminium is more a expensive material, so expect to pay more for an aluminium gate.

Combination auto gates

Besides the 3 material above, there are also combinations. For example, some house owners like the look of timber, so their fence and auto gates have wood panels. Usually the wood panel are fixed to a steel frame, which can be a simple basic design, or sometime combined with wrought iron look.

Wooden swing gate

Auto gate price

Prices for wrought iron look, or mild steel gates with powder coating is around RM 200 per foot run. Obviously it depends on how high you gate is, and details for your auto gate.