Sliding or Swing Gates?

Considering whether to have automated gates installed at your property?

One decision you'll have to make is whether  to opt for swing or sliding gates.

That choice will be determined by several factors, not only personal preference.

You must also take in to account layout of your property, not least the amount of space you have available.

What Is The Difference Between Sliding And Swing Gates?

Sliding gates move across a driveway opening into a space to the side of one gate post that is both in line with the opening and longer than the gate itself.

It is most often a single gate with wheels beneath its base that runs on a track mounted across the driveway entrance.

Swing gates are usually mounted in equally-sized pairs on gate posts at either side of your driveway.

They swing open into a property from the outer edges, and meet in the middle of a driveway entrance when they close.

When And Why Might You Choose Sliding Gates?

If the space required for swing gates is unavailable, sliding gates are the preferred option.

For example, swing gates travel through an arc inside a property's entrance.

No obstacle can be present in this arc or the gates will hit it as they open.

That includes parked cars, walls or fences, sheds or the house.

If a driveway slopes upwards onto your property, then it is more complicated to install swing gates because they will hit the ground as they open.

There are hinges that open swing gates at an angle to accommodate rising drives, but these put additional strain on motors.

Alternatively, mounting the gates on traditional hinges so that they don’t hit the drive as they open requires a large gap below the closed gates.

If an adjacent wall or fence doesn't angle onto the property within the distance required by a sliding gate to clear the driveway entrance, a sliding gate offers a better solution.

What Are The Advantages Of Sliding Gates?

Sliding gates usually require less space in the sense that they only need enough room on one side of the gate posts rather than between them..

However, the area that a sliding gate move in to must be slightly longer than the gate.

What About Gate Security?

If they are fully boarded, then sliding gates offer a degree of privacy because no-one can see through them.

They also represent a physical boundary; an extension of any walls or hedges around your property's perimeter.

And what if an intruder really wants to gain entry?

Sliding gates present a different obstacle because they have to be pushed off their track and out of supporting carriers or forced back against the gate motor’s gearing.

When And Why Might You Choose Swing Gates?

One of the main attractions of having automated swing gates is the ease with which they can be used compared to manual swing gates.

Remote controls and access control systems allow users to open and close the gates without having to leave their car.

A high-quality installation will ensure your swing gates remain in operation for many years with minimal maintenance.

What Are The Advantages Of Swing Gates?

If you have a longer driveway without space for a sliding gate to run into, then swing gates could be the most practical option.

To open fully, swing gates move a shorter distance than a sliding gate, and are generally slightly quicker to open.

Which Gates Are Safest?

Any automatic gate system installed without due consideration of its use, who will have access to it, and where the possible danger areas are, is potentially unsafe.

Sliding gates move across stationary surfaces, so have the potential to cause shearing and crushing injuries.

Swing gates can cause pinching and crushing injuries at the hinges, and impact injuries as the gates swing open.

The risk of injury with either swing or slide gates is minimal, however, when a full safety audit is carried out and potential safety issues are identified.

The installation should then be designed to eliminate the possibility of these as far as possible.

A qualified gate automation installer, who fully understands the unique safety requirements of your chosen gates, will assemble and install the safest possible system no matter which type you choose.

So, Which Gates Are Best?

Automatic sliding gates and swing gates provide benefits in different situations.

If you’d like to discuss your own particular requirements, why not get in touch with the team at Gate Automation Supplies?

We have aluminium gates, gate automation motors and other essential components for electric gates for every kind of driveway, whether commercial or domestic.

If you'd like professional advice about any aspect of electric gates, then please don't hesitate to contact the friendly and experienced team at Gate Automation Supplies. 

Call us on 03300 883 890 today.