Swing vs Sliding Gates: Which Should You Choose?

As a business owner, you will know that it is vital to protect what you have built. This might mean the premises and what it holds, as well as ensuring the safety of the staff and visitors that you are responsible for. One of the first lines of defence in this is the installation of a gate, to restrict who comes in and who goes out.

There are many distinct types of gates on the market, but the most common options tend to be either swing gates or sliding gates. Both are great and each one has its own benefits, so in this article Lucinda Osgerby, Business Development Executive at Newgate, takes a look at what each one can offer in order to help you decide which one works best for your business.

What is a swing gate?

As the name suggests, a swing gate is one which swings open either into a property or out from it. In commercial settings, these have electric power that allow them to swing open or shut automatically. They may be single- or double-piece gates and they can be triggered to open through various access control systems that you might have in place, such as key codes, ANPR cameras or fobs.

The benefits of swing gates

Swing gates tend to be a very popular option due to their affordability. As they usually have a simpler construction, the production and installation costs are generally lower than other alternatives, although the final cost will depend on whether you opt for a single or double swing gate.

As swing gates are less complicated, they also require slightly less maintenance, and have less that can go wrong, which can also help to keep costs down.

The mechanism behind a swing gate means that it can often be a quieter option.

In terms of the space required, a swing gate usually needs to have sufficient clearance inside the opening so that it can function without any obstruction, and so the driveway or car park entrance needs to be able to accommodate this.

However, this style of gate can be particularly suitable for narrow openings as no space is needed at either side. If the entrance to your business is on a slope, then this can present an issue for swing gates, which would become wedged on the road when opening.

To solve this problem, the gates could be fitted to open in a different direction, or the bottom of the gate could be raked to follow the contour of the road, although it is worth noting that this will add to your costs.

What is a sliding gate?

A sliding gate is often fitted to a track that allows it to open by sliding it to the side of the road or driveway. These can be single or double leaf gates that slide in both directions and can also work with your preferred access control systems. They work using an electric motor which guides the gates along the track in order to open and close.

The benefits of sliding gates

A sliding gate is a great option for any entranceway that does not have a lot of space in front or behind it, or which may have a constant flow of traffic coming from both directions. This maximises the space that you have available on your drive or car park as you will not have to worry about the clearance for gates opening into it. They are also considered to be more suitable in entrances that are situated on a path that then turns left or right. However, it should be noted that space will be required at either side of the entrance for the gates to slide into when opening.

Sliding gates are often thought to offer greater levels of durability both in the face of high winds or force, and so they may offer more security. They have a very modern and contemporary look, which might project a better image for your business.

A sliding gate tends to be a popular choice if your entrance is located on a slope, as it is much easier for it to open without modifications or the fear of it being caught.

When fitting a sliding gate, it is worth remembering that these can be more costly, and a track will need to be fitted across your entrance for it to travel along unless you have opted for a trackless cantilever system.

Sliding gates can be a more expensive option due to the fact that more needs to go into the production and installation of them. You will also need regular maintenance to make sure that they continue to work efficiently.

How to choose the right gate

When choosing your gate, it is important to think about the space that it will be going into. You need to look at where the perimeter of your property sits to determine whether there is room for a sliding gate when it opens. If the entrance to your business is on a busy road, then this also means that any swing gates would be restricted to opening inwards, as it would cause a hazard to have the opening out towards unsuspecting traffic and pedestrians.

You also need to consider how easy each one will be to maintain, as the tracks of sliding gates will need to be cleared regularly to prevent debris from jamming the mechanism and damaging the gate or the motor. Think about what your gate will be subjected to as well in terms of high winds and heavy vehicles to ensure that your choice will be durable enough.

When choosing an electric gate for your business, there is a lot to think about. You need to consider the budget that you have available, both for the initial investment and the ongoing maintenance as well as the practicalities of the space that you have available. Some gates will lend themselves better to particular situations, so it may be worth seeking expert advice to find out which one will best meet the needs of your business.