Remaining safe in the comfort of your own home is the number one priority for all families
and the best way to do that is by keeping your home secure. Unless you turn your home into a fortress, it’s almost impossible to keep eavesdroppers, prying eyes and unwanted visitors at bay. While investing in different security systems might give you peace of mind, there are numerous alternatives to help you feel safe in the sanctuary of your own home.
Here are some tips you can follow to reduce the risk of unfortunate incidents.
1. Smart Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is not just great for increasing security and discouraging intruders and vandalism, but also has aesthetic appeal as it highlights external architectural features like swimming pools, fish ponds, fire pits, fountains, gardens and decks. You can remotely turn these outdoor lights off and on, no matter where you are via an application on your phone.
Some smart lights also feature an ‘away’ mode that will routinely and randomly switch on and off your lights, so any unwanted observers would assume there are people inside the house. You can also consider investing in motion-sensor lights that turn on when a movement is detected, catching intruders off guard and scaring them away.
2. Fortify the Locks
One of the best ways to keep your home safe and secure is by installing locks on all your windows and locks. Instead of picking out just one lock, consider installing a few locks all over your house to make your home extra safe. Similar to alarms, there are many types of locks you can choose from. From deadbolt locks to chain locks, you have a variety of options when it comes to fortifying your home.
Alternatively, you could also try installing modern locking systems like a digital door lock which features keyless entry either via a smartphone, a transponder, keypad entry, RFID entry or fingerprint reader. Some electronic door locks also allow you to personalise entry patterns and passwords that can be assigned to different people in your home to make it easier for them to access the door and at the same time allow you to monitor their entry and exit.
3. Do Not Advertise Your Location
If you look at the apps installed on your smartphone, you’ll see that many of them offer location-sharing options. Location-sharing is incredibly useful in some instances, but certain geolocation tags may list the exact address of your location and not just the city or the general area you’re in. This means that when you share the location of your home online, anyone who can view your social media platform will know exactly where you are at a certain time.
And if you are away on a holiday, you are announcing to the world that no one is at home, putting your residence at a higher risk of burglary. Even if you are not travelling, it is still dangerous as you will be putting yourself and your loved ones at risk of unwanted contact from strangers.
4. Get To Know Your Neighbours
Neighbours are a blessing in disguise. Not only will you be able to lean on them when you need to borrow supplies and essentials, but they would also be more inclined to help keep an eye on your property if you are on good terms. Even if your neighbourhood does not have an official security watch system, friendly neighbours will be more than happy to keep a watchful eye on the comings and goings at your property, ensuring your home is safe while you are away.
Implementing these tips will keep your family and your precious belongings safe. With each small safety improvement you make, you are ensuring your home is much more secure than before.
However, if you want to take security up a notch, you should consider installing a front gate for your home.
Why You Should Install A Front Gate For Your Home
Home security is of the essence as a homeowner. By installing a metal gate in Singapore, not only are you enhancing the security of your home, but the gate also acts as a strong and secure barrier against any unwanted intruders and nosey visitors. Here are some other great benefits you can reap from installing a front gate.
1. Provides Greater Security
Without any kind of barrier to your house, strangers with ill intentions could walk up to your home and cause damage. But with a metal gate, your residence is protected and will not be an easy target for any potential threats and trespassing. On top of that, you will also be able to easily control who gets access to your property. Your loved ones would also be able to exchange pleasantries with your neighbours and visitors at the door without compromising their safety.
2. Keeps Your Children and Pets Safe
Apart from keeping intruders out, a front HDB metal gate is also essential to keep your little ones and furry friends within a safe boundary. With your gates closed, you will never have to worry about your children running down the busy street or your pet roaming around your neighbourhood unsupervised. Apart from that, you will also not have to fret about strangers walking up to them and snatching them away.
3. Increases Privacy
Depending on where your front door is situated and the type of gate you choose, you can ensure the privacy of your home by keeping nosy eyes and ears away.This means that neighbours or even strangers aren’t privy to what is going on in your home. You will also be able to relax comfortably in your own home with the front door open without having to worry about your privacy getting breached.
4. Increases Curb Appeal
A beautifully chosen and perfectly crafted front gate makes a lasting first impression. They are usually one of the first few things people notice when visiting your home or when driving by. Although the exterior aesthetics of your abode is not your main priority when it comes to design, a gate can easily enhance the style and features of your overall home. Thanks to the different customisable options that are available in the market, you can perfectly match your modern HDB gate design to the rest of your decor or to your personality and needs.
But before finalising a gate for your home, there are different factors you would have to consider first.
Factors To Consider Before Choosing A Gate
Your front gate is often the focal point of your house. Aside from the aesthetic appeal, the gate also plays a role in securing your property from intruders. With different designs and sizes available in the market, choosing the right gate for your home can be confusing. So, here are some key factors you should consider to find the right one.
1. Purpose
Before you start your search, ask yourself the purpose you want your metal gate in Singapore to serve. Are you looking for a gate to increase your curb appeal or do you need one for security purposes? Identifying your main goal will help you to narrow down your options when you speak with a gate manufacturer.
2. Cost
Determine your budget beforehand so you don’t waste time on choices you cannot afford. As the price of gates varies according to size, material, aesthetics and other factors, letting your manufacturer know how much you are willing to pay for a gate will save you time, effort and money. Larger gates will naturally be more expensive and premium materials used to make these gates also play a role in the final cost.
3. Durability
Depending on where your gate will be located, they will need to be able to withstand everything nature throws at them. They need to be rustproof, solid, well-constructed and made from materials of the highest quality. Some common materials that are durable include steel, aluminium, PVC and treated wood.
4. Upkeep of The Gate
Over time, your front gate will start showing signs of wear and tear, especially if it is exposed to harsh weather conditions all year long. For example, prolonged rainfall during the last few months of the year will lead to corrosion while the hot, scorching sun can peel and damage the paint works on your gates.
So, before you decide, remember to ask the manufacturer how you can maintain your gates to ensure they stay looking as good as new.
5. Size of the Gate
As mentioned earlier, gates are available in all shapes and sizes, ranging from larger gates for the entrance of your home to smaller side gates for any entryway at the side of your property. In most instances, before you purchase a gate, you would need to have precise measurements for the frame while also factoring in the amount of space needed for the gate to swing or slide.
6. Design and Look
If you have already spent a substantial amount of money on landscaping or other exterior features of your house, ensure that the gate you pick out blends well. Most manufacturers would have a wide selection of modern HDB gate designs for you to choose from, so there will surely be one that would suit your needs. While adding a gate that matches the overall decor of your house might be a little pricier, it would also enhance the overall look of your home and increase its value.
Now, apart from these factors above, you would also need to consider the material you want for your gate. If you are going with metal, there are different types available in Singapore.
Different Types Of Metal Gates In Singapore
For most houses in Singapore, there are 4 main types of metal gates that you can choose from. Here’s what you need to know about them.
1. Mild Steel Gates
Mild steel gates are the top choice for HDB homes in Singapore as they encapsulate all the qualities that make an efficient gate. As mild steel is durable and resistant to rust, gates made of this material can withstand and survive Singapore’s high-humidity weather conditions. Additionally, mild steel’s greatest advantage lies in its malleability. It can take on many different forms, giving you a wide range of unparalleled choices to choose from.
2. Wrought Iron Gates
Wrought iron gates are quite common among older homes in Singapore as they were chosen for their strength and durability. Another plus point would be their availability in different ranges of colours. However, despite their benefits, wrought iron is usually twisted and bent in terms of its design, limiting its aesthetic potential. If you want a modern-looking gate, wrought iron gates are not the way to go as they are only available in traditional designs.
3. Aluminium Gates
Aluminium is known to be the best contender against rust problems. However, when it comes to durability and strength, it does not come anywhere close to the other types of materials. When it comes to design, the choices are also pretty limited and similar to each other. Due to these disadvantages, they are not really a popular choice among many Singaporeans.
4. Stainless Steel Gates
Stainless steel is also known to be one of the best metals to combat rust and due to Singapore’s erratic weather conditions, stainless steel gates are a great choice. Not only are they rust-proof, but they are also a reliable option when it comes to withstanding the test of time. However, just like aluminium, design choices can be quite limited.
With these factors in mind, we hope you will be able to choose the right HDB metal gate to keep your home and your loved one safe and secure.
Another great way you can enhance the security of your property is to install a digital lock. But with the different types of locks out there, how do you decide on one?
How To Choose Between A Digital or A Smart Lock
In terms of security, locks have evolved from using keys to utilising modern technology. Between the two, here’s how you choose between a digital lock and a smart lock.
What’s A Digital Lock?
A digital door lock is a type of locking mechanism that has multiple unlocking methods. Unlike a traditional lock that unlocks using a key inserted into a lockset, a digital lock can be unlocked using different methods including biometrics, RFID or NFC cards or a combination of pin numbers.
One of the greatest benefits of these electronic door locks is that they allow you to go keyless. Although carrying around a bunch of keys may not seem like a big deal, for people who tend to misplace their items, going keyless is definitely a great freedom they get to enjoy!
What’s A Smart Lock?
A smart lock is also a digital lock but it has smart functions. These functions include:
- Door lock statuses can be checked on an app (door locked, door unlocked, door opened)
- Remote locking/unlocking using your phone
- Phone notifications on door lock status (e.g. The door was unlocked at 3.30 pm!)
- One-time passwords / Guest unlock methods
- Automations involving the door, such as turning on the lights when the door is unlocked from the outside
So, how exactly do you choose between these two locks?
Step 1: Identify Your Door + Lock
Before you decide on a digital door lock, you should know that locks and doors are not universally compatible. This means that you can’t just purchase any lock and expect it to work with your door. It is best to first identify the type of lock you have on your door and match it with a digital lock.
Some common locks in Singapore include
- Mortise lock - a one-piece door lock that includes both the handle and the lock.
- Deadbolt lock - a single piece of lock that’s separate from the handle.
- Rim latch lock - an add-on feature that can be added to your door.
Step 2 - Compatible Digital Lock Types
The types of digital locks you can find in Singapore basically follow the type of locks mentioned above. So, to make it easier for you, the digital lock that you choose should follow the type of lock you already have in your home no matter if it is a Samsung digital lock, Keywe digital lock or an Epic digital lock. For more information, do seek advice from your retailer/installer who would be able to advise you on the appropriate lock that will fit your particular door
Step 3 - Unlocking Methods
When it comes to smart locks, it all boils down to your needs and convenience. Here are some common unlocking methods you can use.
Biometric Fingerprint Identification - If you are a forgetful person and tend to jumble up combinations of words and numbers, this would be the best and easiest method for you to unlock your door as you would not have to remember a pin, carry a card or a key or even worry about losing them. All you need is your fingerprint to unlock your door.
RFID or NFC Key Cards or Tags - This unlocking method uses a small keycard or a tag that is tapped on the digital lock to unlock it. The keyless function would be beneficial for children and the elderly as they might not have reliable fingerprints or memories.
Pin Codes - Although pin codes allow you to go keyless, they are not a crowd favourite due to security issues where the pin can be easily seen and memorised by others. Sometimes, it can be easily hacked too.
Although digital locks and smart locks like Samsung digital locks, Keywe digital locks and Epic digital locks are definitely a smart move for those who tend to misplace their keys, here are some factors you should consider before installing one.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Digital/Smart Lock
Since you lock and unlock your door daily, replacing your deadbolt with a digital/smart lock is a smart choice. Here are some things you need to know about these locks.
1. Door Lock Command Support
For a smart lock, your smartphone may be a way for you to unlock your door. But if you misplace your phone or if it gets stolen, the lock you purchase should allow you to access your property via other unlocking methods. Do look out for smart locks with four-way access features, including password, NFC card, cylinder key or biometrics.
2. Remote Access
A lock with remote access allows you to unlock your door via smart devices such as your smartphone or a tablet. Homeowners will be able to control their home’s lock from anywhere, even when they are not at home.
3. Hand-Free Access
Some digital locks have hands-free access based on the location of your phone. When your phone leaves the area, a geofencing device locks the door and opens them when it detects your phone nearby.
4. Battery Life
Since batteries power electronic door locks, do compare the estimated battery life of the various models you’re considering. You can also look out for features that show you how much battery life is left, allowing you to come up with an emergency backup plan, so you don’t get locked out of your house.
5. Lock Codes
The management of codes, the amount of information that a lock can incorporate, and the number of codes the lock can support vary from model to model. When considering your choices, remember how many different codes you'll need at any given time.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much do metal gates cost in Singapore?
Metal gates can cost anywhere between S$450 to more than S$1,500 based on the size and type.
2. Will mild steel gates rust?
Mild steel gates are not as resistant to rust as compared to stainless steel gates.
3. What types of metal gates can I choose from in Singapore?
In Singapore, there are 4 main types of metal gates and they are mild steel, wrought iron, stainless steel and aluminium.
4. Is it worth getting a digital door lock?
If you tend to misplace your keys often, getting a digital lock is a smart choice. With different types of locks offering various access modes, you never have to worry about getting locked out.
Conclusion
As a homeowner, your main priority is keeping your loved ones safe in the comfort of your own home and the best way to do that is by keeping your home secure from prying eyes and intruders. By fortifying your doors with electronic door locks and installing metal gates for your home, you are decreasing the risks of any harm that might happen to you or your loved ones at home.
At Liminal, we have a wide variety of gates, doors and home digital locks designed to keep your home secure. We elevate your home improvement experience with top-quality products. Contact us today to know more!