Sliding Gates
Sliding gates offer a great alternative to swing gates, perhaps you prefer sliding gates or more likely the layout of your property demands a sliding gate as an alternative. You will almost certainly need a sliding gate if your entrance way has:
- Limited room for swing gate wings to open in, compromising possible parking space.
- Your driveway turns sharply left or right and a swinging gate would create an obstruction to the turning vehicle.
- Your driveway in on a steep upward incline preventing a swing gate wing from opening up the drive.
Although often a second choice, sliding gates can provide you with the kind of entrance you're looking for. Sliding gate designs can replicate those of swinging gates, giving the illusion when closed and can be made of the same materials as swinging gates.
A sliding gate
Sliding gates do offer you the advantage of being able to fit where a traditional swing gate wouldn't, offering you nearly the same aesthetic and security advantages. Indeed a sliding gate is often more secure once locked as the gates weak points are usually less accessible and the single structure design ensures additional prevention from the gate being driven into.
Sliding gates are hung in either a tracked style, where the bottom of the gate has runners which glide along an embedded tracking or cantilever style using a series of guides and balancing, avoiding the need for ground tracking and the additional maintenance required.
Tracked Gates
Detail of track & wheels
Tracked sliding gates are a straightforward and economical way of installing sliding gates. A tracked gate will consist of two main elements. Firstly embedded in the ground is a length of metal rail spanning the entrance. The gate is guided along the track using wheels mounted along its base.
The tracking on the gate needs to be kept clear from debris which could impair the smooth operation of your gate, but with a quick regular sweep there is no reason that your sliding tracked gate will give you any problems during its lifetime.
Cantilever Gates
A Cantilever Gate
Cantilever sliding gates remove the need for tracking along the length of the opening. A cantilever gate is suspended over the entrance with horizontal posts. Cantilever gates are quieter than tracked gates and reduce the need to keep the tracking clear of debris.
However due to the nature of the cantilever design, and additional section of gate is required to 'hang' over the guides (Highlighted in the picture to the right), often behind a wall or hedge perimeter. This means that additional room is needed beside the gateway than a tracked version and may prevent you from choosing this option.
All of our Gold Approved installers will be able to advise you on what gate will best suit your entrance.
