Singapore HDB Metal Gate Digital Locks

This post examines the considerations for installing on the HDB metal gate which is a very popular request by Singaporeans. For those not familiar with Singapore, the metal gate (or iron grille gate door) is in addition to the wood door for every public housing ( ie. HDB) in Singapore (and to some extent Malaysia).

Rationale​
These are reasons given by customers (i.e. you) for  a digital lock on the HDB gate:

• The door and the metal gate should be both keyless (i.e. digital). Otherwise what's the point for putting one on the door and yet bring a key just for the gate?
• The door is usually left open to let the breeze (or the pet cat ) to come in and hence the metal gate is usually locked and necessitate a digital lock (for convenience). 
• It is a pain to always need a physical key to unlock the gate from inside and outside.

Examples of biometric fingerprint Gateman Z10 on door and metal gate

Budget
It is more expensive to put a digital lock on the metal gate (than a wood door) because additional effort and components are needed:

• effort and fixtures to mount the lock on the gate which is different case to case 
• metal enclosure to box up the rear of the digital lock to prevent access to the OPEN button located on the rear of digital lock 
• remote controller to unlock from inside the home (because the OPEN button is now inaccessible)

A metal gate digital lock solution is approximately SGD 600 all inclusive.  ​
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Platform:
By platform, we mean how do we go about putting a digital lock on the metal gate. 

• There is the proprietary metal gate lock (which is expensive and typically one version behind the mainstream due to inherently much lower sales volume). This is not the right approach in our opinion . We do not do this.
• There is the flexible platform relying on popular and high volume regular digital locks which inherently means lower price, more choice of recent lock models, plug/play/remove if needed - and allows you to retain the metal gate handle and lock should you decide to fallback to a non-digital solution

Our flexible and non proprietary approach translates to a cheaper price, ability to use the latest model,  and more importantly the ability to retain the existing gate handle and lock make better practical sense.

Examples of biometric fingerprint Gateman WF20 on door and metal gate

Quality/Bill of Materials:
Our prices for digital lock on metal gate reflects our focus on using proper materials and fit on the metal gate. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for, and in our case:

• ​Use of solid wood panel custom fitted to your metal gate lines - as opposed to cheaper metal sheets (that will rust) and even cheaper dark acrylic/perspex (that scratches easily and will even break if chipped at the right which looks bad . Solid wood custom fitted not only ensures it is rust and scratch proof, but also gives a natural textured look some will love on their gate. 
  
  Note: Our gate installations with solid wood front looks as new as it was first installed.
  
  
• Use of industry smallest rear enclosure specific to recent smaller footprint Gateman locks such as WF20 and Z10 ensures a small package overall when viewed from the inside. This is industry smallest in Singapore. Some customers informed us that is the reason they prefer to use our metal enclosure.
  
  Note: The enclosure is also double powder coated against rust using catalytic process to ensure an aesthetically pleasant, complete and evenly coated surface. 
  
  
• A wide choice of popular locks from iRevo/Gateman - a subsidiary of global Assa Abloy means you are not constrained by the singular model offered by some vendors. These Gateman locks are in high demand and you will also get the latest models and will not get locked in by vendors providing proprietary singular model. 
  
  Note: lock choices includes Gateman Z10, Gateman WF20, Gateman A20, Gateman J20, Gateman S10.
  
  
• An aesthetically modern remote controller that sits on the wall and is used to unlock the gate digital lock when you leave home. Note: additional / optional keyfob controller as portable as your car keyfob is also available

Examples of Gateman A20

We sometimes suggest that metal gate need not be locked and hence there is no need for a digital lock at all. But if you do find it necessary, engage us for the metal gate solution that use quality material, industry smallest enclosure, leading lock models and professional workmanship.