Why Automatic Electric Gates?

Which Automatic Gate Type?

Sliding Gates VS Swinging Gates

To swing or to slide, that is the question. What are the advantages and disadvantages of swinging gates and sliding gates? The main difference between the two is that sliding gates slide in and out whilst swinging gates swing open and closed in a wide half-circle.

Sliding Gates

Most commonly used when other gate installations aren’t possible or practical and are ideal in windy locations. Sliding gates are great if you have limited space and rough ground. Rather than having a gate that opens inwards or outwards, sliding gates either run on tracks or a trackless cantilever system.

Why Are Sliding Gates Used?

· When larger metal and more commercial gates are being installed

• As a residential driveway or entrance

• If a driveway or entrance has an upwards slope behind the gate, thus stopping a swing gate from being fitted

• In all sorts of commercial and residential properties

What Are the Benefits of Sliding Gates?

• Increased security

• Less vulnerability in high wind loading situations

• They look especially elegant in front gardens, and are a great way to secure your driveway

• Secured using hook locks or gate automation

What Are the Features of Sliding Gates?

• Slide towards the left or right

• Run on tracks, or a trackless cantilever system, keeping them out the way when open

• They can be automated, which is ideal for car parks, or can be secured with a sliding gate hook locks

• Available in tall or short sizes

Swing Gates

The main benefit of swinging gates is you are unlimited in gate design.

Why Are Swinging Gates Used?

• No concrete work or steel beam is required unlike Sliding Gates

• Swing gates look elegant offer a more welcoming feeling when entering a property

• Perfect for lots of different properties, including period to modern homes

• Quiet and smooth operation

• Can open internally and externally

What Are the Benefits and Downsides of Swinging Gates?

• Swing gates are easier to install

• Pleasing to look at.

• Not suitable in windy areas

• Not suitable if completely sheeted in as they put tremendous pressure on gate motors

What Are the Features of Swinging Gates?

• Railheads could be added as an attractive touch, and to stop people from climbing over the gate.

• Available as single leaf short gates , single leaf tall gates , double leaf short gates , double leaf tall gates , single leaf framed gates or double leaf framed gates .

Articulated Arm Automation

Pros of articulated arm openers:

• They can be fit on to most gates, regardless of where their hinges are which makes them a great choice for gates where the hinges are placed awkwardly

• Can be faster than underground or ram arm motors as the mechanism undergoes less travel than ram arms

• Easier to install than regular arms (although, as with most gate motors, some welding will be required) and can be mounted on to wide pillars and columns.

• Ultra reliable motors – due to the exceptionally simple mechanism, articulated gate openers which have been correctly installed require little maintenance and rarely breakdown which makes them a sound investment for your property

Cons of articulated arm openers:

• Can create a trapping point during operation; this should be taken in to consideration especially if you have children who can access the back of the gate during its operation

• Not as attractive to look at compared to other types of electric gate motor due to the arm mechanism

• Cannot be used on closed boarded gates due to the ‘sail effect’ that creates strong resistance on the gates in windy weather

• You need a significant amount of space to mount the gate motor so they are only really suitable on wide columns or pillars

PROS

• Compact installation - A big plus to a sliding gate is that it leaves more room on your drive for your car(s).

• Sliding gates can be seen to offer more as they are harder to force open and they may also appear to be more secure so act as a deterrent.

• It maximises space on the drive because the gate opens sideways rather than inwards.

• Therefore if you are short of space on your drive or simply want more space on your drive, then a sliding gate is a good option.

• Sliding gates can be fitted in small spaces where there isn’t enough space for the gate to open inwards or outwards.

• Sliding gates aren’t affected by the wind like swing gates can potentially be.

• More suitable for wide openings.

• Suitable for drives that turn sharply left or right.

• Often give a more contemporary look

• If you have a very heavy weight you may need to go for a sliding gate due to the equipment that is required to move a sliding gate compared to a swing gate.

• Suitable for slopes or uneven ground.

CONS

• Need space to the side of the gate. Sliding gates need space for the gate to slide open sideways either left or right, depending on the space available. The space that the gate will need to slide open is the same width of the gate plus a third. The gate will usually slide along the boundary fence or wall.

• You will need to fit a track across the ground which will need maintenance and to be kept clean. Unless you choose a cantilever gate which doesn’t require a ground track.

• Can be noisier than swing gates.

• Your gate design can only be rectangular in shape.