High-End Steel Swing Gates for a Luxury Home
Westdeen Manor is a newly constructed luxury residence in Woking, Surrey. Once the site of a modest bungalow, a premium redevelopment project reimagined the plot, resulting in a high-end contemporary home. This premium property, conceived and delivered by an experienced developer specialising in prestige executive homes, demanded an entrance system that reflected its refined architectural style and exceptional build quality. The finishing touch for this imposing residence was the installation of a bespoke set of steel swing gates, designed to enhance both security and kerb appeal while meeting the developer’s clear and uncompromising brief.
Fraser Gates was commissioned to deliver the entire gate system, from fabrication to installation, automation, safety integration, and final commissioning. The result is a sleek, modern entrance that not only aligns perfectly with the home’s upscale design language, but also provides long-term durability, silent automated performance, and a visually striking first impression for residents and visitors alike.
Location and Property Context
Situated in the highly desirable area of Hook Heath, Westdeen Manor stands as a testament to high-end residential redevelopment. The site underwent a complete transformation, during which an older bungalow was replaced with a bespoke property of significantly greater scale, character, and value. With the building works nearing completion, the developer sought a final feature that would secure the property and complement its contemporary architectural style: steel swing gates at the driveway entrance.
Project Scope
The installation was a new, ground-up system, commissioned as the final stage of the redevelopment. The design of the steel swing gates had already been conceived by the developer, who had a clear vision for the overall look and mechanical specification necessary. Fraser Gates’ role was to translate that design into a fully engineered, precision-built and site-ready installation.
Key responsibilities included:
- Fabrication of the steel swing gates to exact dimensions and finish specifications.
- Installation of brushless underground motors.
- Integration of the brushed stainless steel signage panel.
- Running and terminating access control cabling.
- Installing safety devices and configuring a dual-beam logic system.
- Commissioning the automation for quiet, fluid movement.
Although the design was already established, the execution required technical proficiency, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of best practices in automated gate installation.
Challenges and Problem Solving
One of the distinctive aspects of this project was the lack of major obstacles. Many bespoke gate installations involve difficult landscaping, sloped driveways, drainage complications, restricted ducting routes or last-minute design adjustments. However, the developer at Westdeen Manor had well-prepared the site and had already established a coherent design direction for the entrance.
This streamlined the installation process considerably. Nevertheless, “no challenges” does not equate to “no complexity”. Even when conditions are ideal, an installation involving steel swing gates, precision signage, integrated automation, and advanced safety systems still demands expert handling. The foundations must be exact, motor positioning requires millimetre accuracy, and the alignment of the steel swing gates determines long-term mechanical reliability.
Fraser Gates delivered all of this with a smooth and efficient workflow, ensuring that the system performed exactly as expected once commissioned.
Custom and Bespoke Elements
Precision-Cut Stainless Steel Nameplate
The brushed stainless steel nameplate was a standout feature of the installation. Designed to mirror the property’s high-end aesthetic, the nameplate incorporated laser-cut lettering that was both elegant and highly readable. The contrast between the stainless steel and the darker gate frame created a visual focal point that immediately elevates the entrance.
Hot-Dip Galvanised and Powder-Coated Finish
The steel swing gates underwent hot-dip galvanisation followed by a powder-coated finish. This dual-layer process ensures the metal structure is fully protected against corrosion, which is an essential requirement for long-term durability in the UK climate. Powder coating also allows the developer’s chosen colour scheme to be applied with precision, achieving a consistent tone that matches the home’s architectural palette.
Smart Ring Photocell Safety Configuration
The installation included a layered safety arrangement that went beyond standard requirements. Instead of relying on single-beam photocells alone, Fraser Gates implemented a smart ring system combining both single and dual photocells. This configuration was calibrated so that the gate motor would only respond when both beams were broken simultaneously, a scenario that occurs when a full-sized object such as a vehicle passes through.
This system ensures that pedestrians walking across the entrance do not trigger unwanted gate movement and false positives are minimised, yet vehicles are reliably detected. This integrated approach delivers a sophisticated balance between safety, convenience, and accuracy.
Results and Achievements
The installation at Westdeen Manor fully achieved (and in several respects exceeded) the client’s expectations. The gates sit perfectly aligned, operate quietly and deliver a presence befitting the calibre of the property. The developer highlighted the smooth motion of the brushless motors and the impressive structural quality of the gates themselves.
The quality of the fabrication was also noted, with the galvanised and powder-coated finish achieving a premium aesthetic while providing the durability needed for external metalwork. The customised signage added a personal and polished touch, completing the visual concept envisioned for the home.
Equally important was the professionalism and approachability of the installation experience. The client praised the communication, reliability, and attention to detail we demonstrated throughout the process.
Timeframe
The installation of the custom steel swing gates (including fabrication, finishing, on-site works and commissioning) was completed within a four-week period. This efficient turnaround aligned perfectly with the developer’s schedule, allowing the property to reach full completion without delays.
Client Testimonial
We were incredibly grateful to receive this glowing feedback from the developer after installing the bespoke steel swing gates:
“It became very clear at an early stage that this company, whose founder and lead of operations is Rory, has a wealth of experience in the field of auto gate operations, entry systems etc.
As a developer of prestige executive homes, I have had many different companies carry out installations, but I have not had such an accommodating, professional, and friendly operation.
This is a breath of fresh air to the industry and sensibility priced; it’s not easy to find a ‘user friendly’ company in this field.
I will be keeping my business with Fraser Gates Ltd for the foreseeable future.
If you are looking at auto gates, get them to come round and discuss it, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.”