The gate is the first thing a visitor sees. Here are the basics of choosing one, how each gate generally works, and what to prepare on site.
Sliding gates
They slide sideways and are classed by weight:
- Small: up to 900 kg.
- Large: up to 2,500 kg.
- Heavy duty: up to 3,500 kg.
To pick a class, estimate the weight of the whole gate including frame, cladding and add-ons, not just the steel. If you plan to add heavy cladding later, say so from the start. The safest approach is to leave the final estimate to a specialist after a site visit.
How it works
A toothed rack or a chain is fixed to the gate, and the motor's pinion turns on it to push the gate on wheels in a ground track or hung from a rail. These gates need side length beside the opening of roughly the opening width or a little more, so the gate has somewhere to rest when open. The installer decides the foundation and track type from the weight.
Swing gates
Built for hot weather, with a mechanical lock and a manual key, in sizes 300 and 400.
How it works
Each leaf turns on hinges around a post, driven by one motor per leaf or a single motor through an arm. They need free space in front of or behind the gate for the leaves to turn, level ground and firm posts that carry the weight. In heat and wind the posts should be well anchored, since the leaves act like a sail in strong wind.
When a sliding gate suits you, and when a swing gate does
These are general guidelines, not fixed rules:
| Aspect | Sliding | Swing |
|---|---|---|
| Space needed | Side length beside the opening | Room in front of or behind the gate |
| Ground | A track or rail | Level ground is preferable |
| Look | Often modern and streamlined | Classic |
| Large weights | Suits its classes up to 3,500 kg | Depends on the size |
In both cases ask the installer about groundwork and foundations, because they decide how stable the gate will be.
What they share
- Italian CAME, NICE and FAAC motors, 220 V 60 Hz.
- Remote or push button.
- Manual release, and safety reverse on contact to protect people and cars.
Power and safety
The motor needs a nearby earthed supply, with connections protected from water and dust. Photocells and warning lamps help the safety of people entering and leaving, especially where children pass. Do not stand in the path of the gate, and do not let children play near it or hang on it.
Before you order
- Measure the entrance width and wall height, and photograph the entrance from inside and outside.
- Measure the free side length if you are considering a sliding gate.
- Estimate the gate's weight, or ask for it to be estimated.
- Locate the power supply, and shield the motor from direct sun and dust as far as you can.
- Think about use: a house, a warehouse, or a site with trucks?
Common mistakes
- Guessing the weight by eye and finding the motor undersized.
- Leaving the ground uneven or the path of the gate obstructed.
- Forgetting the manual release method, and being stuck in a power cut.
- Neglecting routine care of the wheels and track.
Common questions
What are the sliding gate weight classes? Small up to 900 kg, large up to 2,500 kg and heavy duty up to 3,500 kg.
What sizes do swing gates come in? 300 and 400.
Do they open in a power cut? Yes: manual release on sliding gates, and a mechanical lock with a manual key on swing gates.
Is the gate safe around cars? It has safety reverse on contact to protect people and cars.
Summary
- Sliding gates come in three classes: up to 900, 2,500 and 3,500 kg.
- Swing gates are built for hot weather, with a mechanical lock and a manual key, in sizes 300 and 400.
- Italian motors (CAME, NICE and FAAC) with manual release and safety reverse on contact.
Send us a photo of the entrance and we will help you choose: sliding and swing gates. For car parks: parking barriers, or contact us.