Best Intercom System for Front Gates and Electric Door Strikes

A front gate intercom does more than let you speak to visitors. When paired with the right electric door strike, gate release or access control hardware, it can help you see who is at the entry point, speak to them clearly and unlock a compatible door or gate from inside the property or from a smartphone app where supported.

For homes, townhouses, duplexes, gated properties and small businesses, choosing the right intercom and door release setup can make entry safer, easier and more convenient.

In this guide, we explain how front gate intercom systems work, when you need an electric door strike, and how to choose the right setup for your property. You can also compare broader intercom options on our Intercom Systems for Home page.

What Is a Front Gate Intercom?

A front gate intercom allows visitors to call the home, office or building from an outdoor door station installed at the gate or entrance. The person inside can speak to the visitor through an indoor monitor, audio handset or smartphone app where supported.

Depending on the system, a front gate intercom may include:

• Outdoor door station or gate station
• Indoor video monitor
• Two-way audio
• Video visitor screening
• Smartphone app access where supported
• Electric door strike or gate release connection
• Keypad, card reader or fob reader options
• Power supply and control relay hardware
• Network, 2-wire or other suitable cabling

Why Use an Intercom at the Front Gate?

Front gate intercoms are useful because they let you screen visitors before giving access. This is especially important when the gate is not visible from the house, when the property has a long driveway, or when deliveries and trades need managed entry.

A front gate intercom can help with:

• Identifying visitors before opening the gate
• Speaking to couriers and trades
• Reducing unnecessary walk-ups to the front door
• Managing access for family, staff or approved visitors
• Improving privacy and entry control
• Supporting safer entry for homes and small businesses
• Providing video verification at the gate where supported

What Is an Electric Door Strike?

An electric door strike is an access control device installed into the door frame. When connected to a compatible intercom, keypad or access control system, it allows the door latch to release electronically.

In simple terms, the intercom lets you speak to the visitor, while the electric strike allows you to unlock the door or gate entry point without physically going to the door.

Electric door strikes are commonly used for:

• Front doors
• Pedestrian gates
• Office entry doors
• Reception entry points
• Retail staff entries
• Apartment common doors
• Commercial access points

Browse CTC Communications’ Electric Door Strikes collection to compare suitable access control hardware.

Front Gate Intercom vs Front Door Intercom

A front door intercom is usually easier to install because the door station is close to the home or building. A front gate intercom may require more planning because the gate may be further away, exposed to weather and connected to a separate lock or gate motor.

Best Intercom Features for Front Gates

A front gate intercom needs to be reliable, easy to use and suitable for outdoor conditions. The best features depend on the property layout, gate distance and whether you want smartphone access.

Important features include:

• Video door station: Lets you see who is at the gate before granting access.
• Two-way audio: Allows clear conversation with visitors, couriers and trades.
• Smartphone app access: Useful if you want to answer from your phone where supported.
• Gate or door release: Allows remote unlocking of a compatible entry point.
• Weather-resistant door station: Important for outdoor gate locations.
• Night vision: Helps with visitor identification after dark.
• Keypad or card access: Useful for regular users, staff or family members.
• Multiple monitors: Helpful for larger homes or multi-level properties.
• Reliable cabling or network connection: Essential for long-term performance.

Do You Need an Electric Door Strike with Your Intercom?

You only need an electric door strike if you want the intercom to unlock a compatible door or pedestrian gate. If the intercom is only being used for communication, a strike may not be required.

You may need an electric door strike if you want to:

• Unlock a front door from the indoor monitor
• Release a pedestrian gate from inside the home
• Allow smartphone unlocking where supported
• Connect the intercom to access control
• Control entry to an office, reception or staff door
• Manage visitor access without physically opening the door

If the entry point is a driveway gate, the intercom may need to connect to the gate motor or gate controller rather than a standard door strike.

Types of Door Release Hardware

The right release hardware depends on the door, gate, frame, lock type and access control requirements. A professional installer should check the door or gate before choosing hardware.

Fail-Safe vs Fail-Secure Door Strikes

When choosing an electric strike, one of the most important decisions is whether the lock should be fail-safe or fail-secure. This should be selected carefully based on the door, security requirements and safe exit needs.

• Fail-secure: The door usually remains locked if power is lost. This is common where security is the priority.
• Fail-safe: The door usually unlocks if power is lost. This is often considered where safe egress or compliance requirements are important.

The correct choice depends on the site. Entry doors, fire exits, strata doors and commercial doors may have specific safety requirements, so professional advice is recommended.

Best Intercom System for a Front Gate

The best intercom system for a front gate depends on the distance between the gate and the house, whether cabling is already installed, whether the gate is automatic, and whether you want app control.

Smartphone Intercoms for Front Gates

A smartphone intercom is a popular option for front gates because it can allow visitor calls to reach your phone where supported. This is useful when you are not near the indoor monitor or when you want to manage visitors while away from home.

Smartphone intercoms may allow you to:

• Answer the gate intercom from your mobile phone
• View video of the visitor where supported
• Speak to couriers, trades or guests
• Release a compatible gate or door strike where configured
• Manage deliveries more conveniently
• Support multiple authorised app users depending on the system

For security, remote unlocking should only be used when you can clearly confirm the visitor and the entry point is safe to release.

Wired, 2-Wire, IP or Wireless Gate Intercom?

The right gate intercom depends heavily on cabling and distance. A front gate is often further from the house than a front door, so signal and power planning matter.

• Wired intercom: Reliable option when cable can be installed between the gate and the building.
• 2-wire intercom: May suit selected upgrades where existing compatible cable is available.
• IP intercom: Strong choice for new builds, smart homes and properties with network cabling.
• Wireless intercom: May be useful where cabling is difficult, but performance depends on distance, interference and signal quality.

For front gates, wired or professionally planned IP solutions are often preferred for long-term reliability.

Best Intercom Brands for Gates and Door Release

Several intercom brands can suit front gates and door release applications. The best choice depends on the property, wiring and whether the system needs app access.

• Aiphone: Strong option for premium reliability and long-term use.
• Dahua: Practical choice for smartphone video intercoms and security integration.
• Hikvision: Good option for IP and 2-wire video intercoms with app features on selected systems.
• Kocom: Practical option for straightforward residential intercom systems.
• Akuvox: Strong option for smart IP entry and access-control style features.

For a broader comparison, visit CTC Communications’ Intercom Systems for Home page.

Front Gate Intercoms for Homes

For residential properties, a front gate intercom can improve everyday convenience and safety. It allows family members to screen visitors without opening the door or walking down the driveway.

Home gate intercoms are useful for:

• Gated homes
• Duplexes and townhouses
• Long driveways
• Homes with front fences
• Properties with pets or children
• Homes receiving frequent deliveries
• Family members who want safer visitor screening

Front Gate Intercoms for Small Businesses

Front gate and door release intercoms are also useful for businesses. They can help control staff entry, delivery access and visitor access without leaving the reception desk or office.

Business uses include:

• Reception entry doors
• Staff-only side doors
• Warehouse gates
• Loading dock entries
• Office front doors
• Medical and allied health practices
• Retail back-of-house doors
• Commercial car park gates

What to Check Before Installing a Gate Intercom

Front gate intercoms need careful planning because they involve outdoor hardware, cabling, power and access release. Before choosing a system, check the following:

• Distance from gate to house or building
• Existing cabling and cable condition
• Whether the gate is pedestrian, driveway or automatic
• Whether the intercom needs to release a gate motor
• Whether a door strike, magnetic lock or gate relay is required
• Weather exposure at the door station location
• Lighting around the gate at night
• Internet or network availability for smartphone features
• Power supply requirements
• Whether multiple monitors or app users are required

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Gate intercom and electric strike systems can become frustrating if they are not planned properly. Avoid these common mistakes:

• Choosing an intercom before checking gate distance and cabling
• Forgetting the electric strike or gate release hardware
• Using a door station that is not suitable for the outdoor location
• Assuming Wi-Fi will be reliable at the front gate
• Not checking whether the gate motor can accept a release input
• Choosing the wrong fail-safe or fail-secure strike type
• Not allowing for power supply requirements
• Mounting the door station too high, too low or in direct glare
• Not testing app notifications and remote release after installation
• Ignoring safe exit and compliance requirements for access-controlled doors

Professional Installation Is Recommended

A front gate intercom and electric door strike setup should be professionally planned and installed. The system may include low-voltage wiring, door release hardware, gate motor connections, power supplies, network setup, app configuration and safe exit requirements.

Professional installation can help with:

• Choosing the correct intercom system
• Checking existing wiring
• Planning cable distance and power requirements
• Installing the outdoor door station
• Installing the indoor monitor
• Connecting an electric door strike or gate release
• Setting up smartphone app access where supported
• Testing audio, video and door release operation
• Ensuring the system is practical for everyday use

Why Choose CTC Communications?

CTC Communications supplies intercom systems, electric door strikes and access control accessories for homes, gates, townhouses, apartments and businesses. Our team can help you compare intercom options and choose the right door release hardware for your property.

Reasons to choose CTC Communications:

• Over 30 years of security industry experience
• Intercom systems for homes, gates and businesses
• Electric door strike and access control accessories
• Smartphone intercom options
• 2-wire, IP, wired and wireless-style intercom choices
• Door station and monitor station options
• Professional installation available across Sydney
• Australia-wide product supply

Our Recommendation

For most front gates, choose a video intercom with a weather-suitable outdoor door station, reliable cabling and a compatible gate release or electric door strike. If you want to answer visitors when you are away from the monitor, consider a smartphone intercom system where supported.

If you are building or renovating, an IP intercom with properly planned cabling is often a strong long-term choice. If you are upgrading an older gate intercom, a 2-wire system may be suitable if the existing cable is compatible and in good condition.

The best setup depends on your gate type, cable distance, lock hardware, app requirements and whether the system needs to release a pedestrian gate, driveway gate or front door. Browse CTC Communications’ Intercom Systems for Home page or view our Electric Door Strikes collection to compare options.

Frequently Asked Questions