Gate Styles

Part one of this How To article is to review the types of gates relative to how these gates accommodate your site.  There are two basic types of gates that can be easily automated: Cantilever slide gates and swing gates.

Swing gates are more popular for residential jobs.  Home owners prefer the look of the estate type entry where the gate swings open to welcome you.  These gates are available in both single and double swings. Some considerations if you have selected an automated swing gate:

  • Should the gate swing in or out – Automated swing gates may swing either way. However, the vast majority swing out.  This is because most driveways slope down from the house to the street. Swing gates must remain level as they swing open.  If the gate is swinging in, it may bottom-out on the driveway before it swings all the way open. This may be an issue if your approach from the street to the gate is short.  There should be at least two car lengths of room as guests are prone to back-up when they see the gate open out. If there is not enough distance from the gate to the adjoining street, guest may be backing-up into traffic.  
  • Consider a double swing gate over a single swing –  Single swing gates only require one gate operator. Double swing gates will require two gate operators that must communicate with one another.  Though the cost of two operators is more expensive, a double swing gate will have a much shorter swing due to the gate opening being split between the two leafs.  This has multiple benefits.
    • A larger single leaf may require a larger gate operator compared to powering two smaller leafs.  Automated swing gates may serve as snow plows in the winter. The larger single leaf may struggle in pushing even a couple inches of snow.  
    • If your gate opens out, two smaller leafs will be less intimidating to guests when the gate begins to open out toward them.  Thus, first-time guests may be less prone to panic and hastily back-up into another vehicle or on-coming traffic.
  • Consider all the elevations – A 20’ opening with a single gate leaf means that the leaf will extend over 20’ of driveway both in the open and closed position.  If there is any slope, the leaf may bottom-out as it swings open or leave considerable gaps under the gate when in the closed position. If the opening is split between two 10’ leafs, any gaps or concerns of bottoming-out are minimized.  You should verify the elevations of the ground beneath the entire travel of the gate. The highest elevation will be your benchmark. The gate will be set a couple inches above this elevation. This could leave the gate a considerable distance off the ground in the closed position if the ground slopes up as the gate travels open.  This is common as most site elevations travel upward from the street to the building.
    • The sweep or swing of the gate.  Swing gates will cover a lot of ground when swinging from the closed position to the full open position.  This sweep may interfere with other items such as traffic lanes, parking stalls, parked cars, etc. Many swing gates will open a full 180 degrees which allow you to store the gate against the fence line when open.  This is good news until you have to close gate and it must swing through a parking stall occupied by a park car left overnight.
  • Overall reliability relative to use.  Automatic swing gates may not be as reliable as automatic slide gates.  It is simple physics. A slide gate has a great deal less resistance in the form of snow and wind loads.  Its profile slices through conditions as it slides back and forth, whereas a swing gate must push an area equal to the overall square footage of the surface of the gate.  Slide gates can easily slice through moderate snow fall whereas swing gates will quickly build-up snow piles in front of the leaf. This will ultimately cause the gate operator to think it is hitting something and go into “safe mode.”  
  • More secure option.  Automated swing gates may not be as secure as automated slide gates.  Unless equipped with an electric mechanical or magnetic lock, automated double swing gates may be easily pried-open to allow someone to squeeze between the two leafs.  Slide gates may be equipped with a receiver that allows one gate to slide into another or into a receiver post. This makes it very difficult to pry open the gate.

Slide gates may be more popular in commercial applications where security and reliability are paramount.  Slide gates are available in both single and double swing applications. If you are thinking about a slide gate for your business or home, you should consider the following:  

  • Storage.  Slide gates are typically 50% larger than the actual opening.  So, a 16’ opening would require a 24’ overall gate leaf. This extra 8’ of gate is called the tail or counter balance.  It also allows the gate to be easily attached to a slide gate operator. If selecting a slide gate, you must be sure that you have adequate storage for the gate in the open position.
  • Elevations.  Slide gates must be installed level in accordance with ASTM F 2200.  This is critical so that the gate does not slide under its own weight which could cause a significant injury.  That being necessary, you should review the elevations of the ground below the entire travel of the gate from open to closed. The highest elevation will be your benchmark.  The gate will be set a couple inches above this elevation. If the highest elevation is at the tail of the gate and it slopes down through the opening, the gate could be several inches to a foot off the ground at the opening.  

Once you have decided on the type of gate between a swing and slide gate, you are ready to choose the style of your gate.  Both cantilever and swing gates can be designed as a simple means of security that includes chain link fabric over a galvanized framework.  Both type of gates can be highly ornate to include decorative pickets, finials, circles, letters and custom designs. There are literally thousands of different designs.  However, each design may impact the overall size and weight of the gate. These two factors will play a significant role in the selection of the gate operator.

In accordance with ASTM F 2200 and UL 325, there are some gate design considerations that should be closely adhered to avoid any unnecessary hazards.  

  • The gate should not have any obstruction or design component protruding out from the gate that may create a hazard below 8’.  
  • Slide gates should not have openings greater than 2 ¼” in the gate.
  • All gates should have a smooth bottom with no pickets protruding.
  • All gates should be prevented from falling if disconnected from the gate hardware.
  • Swing gates should not create an entrapment area less than 16” when swinging open.
  • Swing gates should not have an area greater than 4” from the post or column to the hinge point.
  • Gate receiver hardware should not protrude out into the opening.
  • Gates should have a positive stop at the full open position.

Now that you have selected your type and design of gate, you are ready for part two of this How To article: How To Select Your Gate Operator.