Pedestrian Barriers vs Security Gates: Security as Deterrence
Finding the Right Fit: An Honest Security Chat with a Customer
Pedestrian barriers, window bars, security gates, bollards...Looking for the best security option for your own unique situation is always a long (and honestly kind of annoying) journey that you want to shortcut ASAP. But sometimes, you have to take the long way to get it right.
Index
- Suspicious Backyard Stroll
- Understanding The Purposes of Security
-
Real Talk: No Security is Perfect
This article primarily talks about physical security devices, and it can be applied to digital and cyber security to a larger extent.
Pedestrian Barriers vs Security Gates
- A Perfect Lock Does Not Exist - Security as Deterrence -
1. Suspicious Backyard Stroll
One of our customers recently noticed some people creeping around his backyard at night—yikes. Just starting a new family in a new home, he knew it was time to tighten things up.
First stop: expandable barriers (Pedestrian Barriers) —simple, effective, and fit his 3-meter driveway. But then he spotted our more serious-looking retractable security gates—built tougher, harder to crawl under, better for stopping a ram raid.
Expandable Barriers (Pedestrian Barrier)
Retractable Security
The only catch? No ceiling to mount it to outside. And he didn’t want anything taller than his neighbour’s fence (because, y’know, peace and harmony and all that).
So, he asked the golden question:
“But they can climb up the gate, can’t they?”
Our answer?
Yes...and here's why...
And the conversation got real.
2. Understanding the Purposes of Security
This conversation reminded us of the core principle behind most physical security solutions:
Visual deterrence.
Let’s break down the two options:
Expandable Barriers (Pedestrian Barriers)
These are lightweight, flexible, and great for temporary or visual access control. They’re ideal for stores, warehouses, and public areas where you want to quickly say:
"This area is off-limits."
They’re not designed to physically stop someone determined, but their presence is often enough to make most people think twice.
Retractable Security Gates
They are stronger, more resistant to shock or break-in attempts, and the narrower gaps make crawling through extremely difficult (and painful). They're more complex to install and come at a higher cost—but they look more secure.
And that's the point.
Even though they are physically stronger, their primary function is still visual. They send a clear message:
"Breaking in here will be time-consuming, loud, and difficult. Don’t even try."
This is the same reason many businesses use fake CCTV cameras, place empty patrol cars on highways, or hire uniformed guards. These measures don’t always prevent intrusion physically—but they deter it.
So what are we really buying when we invest in security?
No security solution is 100% foolproof. Given enough time, any lock or barrier can be broken. That’s not new information—but it’s easy to forget when you're feeling vulnerable after a break-in or while trying to protect your property. Especially when you are recovering from an actual attack or loss.
In truth, what you’re investing in is:
- ✅ Visual deterrence
- ✅ More time—to detect, call for help, or make the intruder give up
- ✅ Peace of mind
And, there are many things to balance:
- 🛠️ Your budget
- 🧰 Your DIY skill level
- 🎨 Aesthetic preferences (especially if you share a fence line with neighbours)
3. Real Talk: No Security is Perfect
Again, there’s no such thing as a perfect lock. But that doesn’t mean security measures are useless. They reduce risk, buy time, and, most importantly, signal preparedness.
That alone is often enough to make a criminal move on to an easier target.
Let’s face it—everyone wants things to be easy. And that includes criminals. If a house has a security gate or even a basic barrier, it looks like a harder target than the house with an open driveway. Often, that alone is enough to tip the scales.
This isn’t to say you should be afraid if you don’t have a gate or barrier installed. It’s just a gentle reminder: if you're thinking about adding security to your home or business, the first thing to remember is deterrence.
Need help?
We’re always happy to assist. Feel free to send us photos and measurements (height & width) of your vulnerable areas. We’ll recommend the most suitable DIY product or connect you with our partners at Xpanda Security for custom solutions.
P.S. Final Decision
In the end, the customer chose expandable barriers (Pedestrian Barriers), primarily due to budget constraints and his desire to maintain a consistent fence height with his neighbours. It was a thoughtful, balanced decision that gave him more peace of mind—without breaking the bank.
