Driveway Gates – What’s the deal?
When people discuss driveway gates, there is always a lot of confusion because of the improper use of gate nomenclature. Hopefully, by properly describing the different types of gates, this article will serve to eliminate some of that confusion.There are two types of driveway gates: Swing gates and Non swing gates. A swing gate is simply a gate that is hinged to a post or wall and swings to open or close. Non swing gates have are a subcategory that includes three types of non swing gates: Roll gates, slide gates and cantilever gates.
Types of Non-Swing Gates:
- A roll gate is a gate that rolls on pneumatic wheels (generally referred to as a truck) in order to open or close. It has a rudimentary track, generally a piece of pipe, that runs alongside the fence that the gate is attached to. The end of the gate has a small bracket that holds it to the track so it doesn’t separate from the fence. The biggest distinction between a roll gate and some of the other non swing gates is that it does not roll over the exact same path all the time. It takes the path that the person opening and closing the gate brings it on. This is not say that the path will be significantly different each time; it may only be off a few inches, but the path is still different. The reason this is relevant is because a gate operator could not be put on a roll gate because there is no permanent path for the operator to open and close the gate on.
- A slide gate is like a roll gate except it slides on a v-groove track using a stainless steel wheel attached to the front of the gate. For this reason, it does follow the same exact path each and every time it opens and closes. Thus, a slide gate could accommodate a gate operator. One downside is that the track needs to run the full length of the gate, including in the open position; for this reason, oftentimes it’s necessary to run a concrete footer to attach the track to. Also, a slide gate only works properly when the grade of the property is relatively flat.
- A cantilever gate is another type of non swing gate but unlike a roll gate and slide gate, a cantilever gate does not run on the ground. Instead, it is suspended over the ground and cantilevers into the gate opening. There are a couple different types of cantilever gates but the most common uses a bottom track. In this configuration, a bottom track replaces the standard rail and glides on the rollers which are installed on posts in the ground. There is an A-frame at the opening of the gate and the gate itself is made approximately 50 percent larger so it has a counterbalance. A cantilever gate can also accommodate a gate operator and is the preferred type of non swing gate when the grade is not even.
Superior Fence & Rail is a fabricator and installer of custom driveway gates in Orlando. With nine physical locations throughout the state of Florida, Superior Fence & Rail is one of the largest fence companies in Florida.
