Honest answers about cantilever sliding gates, swing gates, ordering, installation, warranty and aftercare.
Help deciding which gate is right for your property
A tracked sliding gate runs on wheels along a rail fixed into the ground across your driveway. A cantilever gate is suspended on roller carriages and slides above the ground with no track in the entrance opening. This means cantilever gates work much better with gravel, mud, snow, uneven surfaces and British weather — which is why we recommend them for most UK driveways.
A sliding (cantilever) gate is ideal when your driveway is uneven, on gravel, has limited depth for swing arcs, or you want a modern look. A swing gate works well when you have flat, level ground, enough room for the leaves to open into the property, and prefer a more traditional appearance. If unsure, send us photos and dimensions and we'll recommend the best option.
For width, measure the clear opening between your posts or walls. Most domestic driveways are 3-5m wide, while commercial entrances often need 5-8m. For height, 1.6m is our standard, but anything from 1.0m to 2.4m is possible. Note: gates over 1m near a public road or over 2m elsewhere may need planning permission.
Yes. We offer 6 sliding gate styles (Vertical Bars, Palisade, Composite, Horizontal, Bars & Composite, plus optional spikes) and 4 swing gate styles (Composite Rectangular, Composite Wave, Palisade, Wrought Iron). Gates can be finished in any standard colour, with composite infill available in Black, Slate Grey, Brown, Mocha, Sand, and Light Brown.
Yes, but the design matters. For windy or coastal sites we recommend open-style infills (Vertical Bars, Palisade) over solid composite, because solid gates catch wind like a sail. We'll also specify stronger foundations and posts for exposed sites. Tell us about your location when requesting a quote.
Yes, in our experience steel is significantly better for cantilever gates. Aluminium has the advantage of corrosion resistance, but it lacks the rigidity needed for a long sliding gate, and it can move or deform under temperature changes and strong sunlight. We build all our gates from heavy-duty steel with full anti-corrosion protection.
Pricing, lead times, and how to place an order
Our sliding gates start from £2,510 (Vertical Bars, 3.5m × 1.6m) and our swing gates start from £2,800. The final price depends on size, style, automation, and installation. For an instant tailored price, use our online configurator, or request a personalised quote.
Standard lead time is 4-6 weeks from confirmed order, depending on size, finish, and current workshop volume. Larger or fully automated gates may take a little longer. We will give you a confirmed lead time when you place your order — not a rough estimate.
Yes, we deliver across the UK from our workshop in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. Professional installation is available in most regions. Delivery and installation costs are quoted based on your postcode and shown clearly before you order.
Two options. For sliding gates with standard configurations you can use our online configurator to see an instant price and place an order directly. For swing gates, custom requirements, or anything unusual, fill in our Contact form with photos and dimensions — we will reply with a personalised quote within 24 hours (Mon-Fri).
What's involved in fitting your new gate
Yes. A cantilever gate requires a solid concrete foundation for the roller carriages and posts. Block paving, asphalt, or a standard driveway surface is not enough on its own. We'll specify the foundation size and depth based on your gate length and ground conditions — this is critical for long-term smooth operation.
You can install our gates yourself if you're experienced with foundations, levelling, and gate hardware — we provide detailed installation guides. However, for cantilever gates and especially for automated gates we strongly recommend professional installation, because alignment accuracy is critical. We offer installation across most UK regions.
A typical installation takes 1-2 days for the gate itself, plus extra time if foundations need to be built and concrete has to cure (usually 1-2 days). Automation commissioning is usually completed on the same day as gate installation. The exact schedule is agreed before we start.
Yes, all our gates can be supplied manual or fully automated. Automation includes a sliding gate motor (or swing motor), gear rack, photocells for obstacle detection, remote controls, and optional extras like keypads, intercoms, or app control. Even if you order a manual gate now, we can prepare it for easy automation later.
Planning permission may be needed if your gate is over 1m high next to a road or pavement, or over 2m high elsewhere. Conservation areas and listed buildings have additional restrictions. We can advise based on your project, but it's the owner's responsibility to confirm requirements with the local council before installation.
All our automated gates are supplied with safety devices including photocells that detect obstacles in the gate opening. For families with children or pets we also recommend safety edges and a warning light. Children should never play near a moving gate, and ground clearance is set carefully to suit small pets without compromising safe gate movement.
Looking after your gate for years to come
All our gates come with a comprehensive structural warranty covering manufacturing defects, finish, and welds. Automation systems carry the motor manufacturer's warranty (typically 2-5 years depending on brand). Full warranty terms are confirmed in writing with every order.
Covered: manufacturing defects, structural issues, coating failure, and motor/automation faults under normal use. Not covered: impact damage (vehicle collisions, etc.), damage from modifications by third parties, lack of maintenance, misuse, or extreme weather events beyond normal UK conditions.
Domestic gates should be checked at least once a year. Commercial or heavily used gates need more frequent inspections. Service includes checking carriages, support profile, gear rack, motor, photocells, safety edges, force settings, and overall mechanical condition. We offer service contracts in most UK regions.
We don't recommend this. A cantilever gate is a precision-engineered mechanical structure. Small issues like loose fixings, dirt in the support profile, or worn carriages are cheap to fix early but expensive if ignored. Basic maintenance (cleaning, checking, lubrication of moving parts) protects your investment for decades.
Contact us directly by phone, WhatsApp, or email. For warranty issues we'll arrange inspection and repair under warranty terms. For non-warranty issues (e.g. impact damage, settings adjustments) we offer a paid service. We support all gates we've manufactured, even after warranty expires.
Yes, if it's reasonably cared for. Our steel gates have full anti-corrosion treatment and high-quality powder coating designed for British weather. Periodic cleaning (especially after winter to remove road salt) and quick repair of any coating damage will keep your gate looking great for many years. Composite infill should also be cleaned occasionally to maintain its colour.
If you can't find the answer here, we're happy to help. Get in touch and one of our team will respond within 24 hours (Mon-Fri).