Sliding and Swing Gates
Swing or Sliding, gates comprise the major element in marking the boundary of a property. Gates are designed to keep the entry shut and secure. Often, gates are the least noticed component of a property. However, when damaged or faulty, they draw the most attention. Depending on space and personal preference, swing or sliding gates can be chosen. These gates have different mechanisms.
Swing Gates
Swing gates open and shut like doors and are the most common type of gates. Their mechanisms are also the simplest, which offers an economic advantage to swing gates.
Swing gates require more consideration to driveway clearance as they require more space to open. Driveways that are steeper in gradient leave less room for gates that open. Approach angles also have to be considered as gates that swing require more clearance to open without obstruction. Swing gates are ideal for wider, flatter entrances and loose space, but begin to obstruct when space is tighter.
When it comes to materials, wood and metal are standard, but there are advantages to aluminium. It won’t rot or rust, and it’s very lightweight and strong. Since it’s easy to maneuver, you won’t have to worry about heavy gate materials swinging on the hinges if you decide to automate the gate.
Sliding Gates
Sliding gates slide as opposed to swinging. Since the sliding gate moves parallel to the wall or fence, it does not require an arc to swing. For short or sloped driveways, this gate may be optimal. Unlike a swing gate, a full-size sliding gate can fit in an area that has limited space. This was evident to many developers, which is why you can find sliding gates in many new home developments with tight spaces.
Since there is no limit as to how tall a swing gate can be, sliding gates can be built to any height. This makes a two-metre tall sliding gate a practical option that also discourages trespassing. It’s hard to climb and easily defines the boundary.
The track is the one element that has most people worried. Usually, it’s because of leaves and dirt. While that is a fair concern, modern ground tracks are built to handle rain and debris, and one takes regular sweeping to keep it operational. In comparison, you have the issues of a swing gate, which droops in the hinges over time, catches on uneven ground, and can stick. They are different problems, but not necessarily worse.
There is a bit more work that goes into a sliding gate as well. A sliding gate requires a clear and level base to slide on and a leveled section of fixed gate or wall to slide and rest against. This, in combination with the base work to set the fixtures, will, on average, require more work than a swinging gate and is more costly, but the track is wholly more dependable.
Both swing and sliding gates can be automated, but sliding gates are excellent candidates for automation. The motor will drive the sliding gate along the track and won’t be working against elements like wind and gravity as it does with a hinged gate. Because of that, there are fewer moving parts and less stress on the mechanism, which translates to a longer life for the automation.
Open the access side to allow keypads, intercoms, and apps on phones. A practical example is a driver using the intercom instead of leaving a package on the sidewalk. It can also be used to let someone in your home while you are away, or to provide each person with their own code instead of one remote.
Be sure to keep in mind the following.
It’s best to check the deeds of the property and see how a sliding gate works. Planning permission is usually not given for residential gates. Look into the regulations of your property’s local council if you live on a main road or a conservation area. There are also limits on height and restrictions on materials in some places.
These are all things that are best to leave to a professional. The gates are heavy, need to be set correctly, and you are adding a safety feature if you are looking to automate your gate. One of the worst things to have to pay for, is getting a gate fixed that was installed incorrectly.