Sliding gates: cantilever and tracked
A sliding gate opens sideways instead of swinging, which makes it the natural choice for a wide driveway or an industrial entrance where there is no room for a swing arc. There are two types: a cantilever gate, which hangs on rollers from posts to one side and never touches the ground, and a tracked gate, which runs on a rail set across the opening. Both are matched to the fence in material and infill and are usually automated. This guide covers how each works, when to choose it, the posts and foundations, automation and security.
What a sliding gate is and when to choose it
A sliding gate moves across the opening on the horizontal, parking alongside the fence rather than swinging out. It is chosen where a swing gate would be awkward or impossible: a wide vehicle entrance, a sloping drive where a swing leaf would ground, a busy access with no room to swing into traffic, or a site where the full opening must be kept clear. Because it needs run-back space beside the opening for the gate to park, that space is confirmed early. Where the opening is narrow and the room exists, a swing gate is simpler, but for wide or constrained entrances the sliding gate wins.
Cantilever sliding gates
A cantilever gate is suspended over the opening, carried on rollers mounted to two substantial posts on one side, so it hangs a small clearance, around 150 mm, above the ground and never touches it. To balance the weight over those posts, the gate has a counterbalance tail behind them, which makes the whole leaf roughly 50 per cent longer than the clear opening it covers. Because nothing runs on the ground, a cantilever gate is unaffected by uneven surfaces, drainage, debris, snow or ice, which is why it is the default for industrial and security entrances that must work in all conditions.
Tracked (rolling) sliding gates
A tracked, or rolling, gate runs on a rail fixed across the opening, with the gate weight carried on wheels along that track. It uses less material than a cantilever, because it needs no counterbalance tail, and its posts and foundations can be smaller, which makes it more economical upfront. The trade-off is that the track must stay clean and level: debris, snow or ice in the rail, or ground movement, will stop the gate, so a tracked gate suits a clean, level, well-drained opening rather than a rough or exposed one.
Cantilever or tracked: choosing between them
The choice comes down to the site and the budget. A cantilever gate costs more and needs more space to one side for the counterbalance tail, but it works across uneven ground and in snow, ice and debris with little maintenance, which suits industrial and security sites. A tracked gate is more economical and needs less run-back, but it depends on a clean, level, well-drained opening and on the track being kept clear. On a demanding or exposed site the cantilever is usually worth the extra; on a tidy, level entrance the tracked gate does the job for less.
| Feature | Cantilever | Tracked (rolling) |
|---|---|---|
| Ground contact | None; hangs about 150 mm clear | Runs on a ground rail |
| Uneven ground, snow, debris | Unaffected | Track must stay clean and level |
| Space needed | Leaf about 50% longer than the opening | Less run-back; no counterbalance tail |
| Cost and foundations | Higher; larger posts and footings | Lower; smaller posts, plus the track |
| Best for | Industrial, security, exposed sites | Clean, level, well-drained openings |
Material and infill
A sliding gate is built to match the fence, in the same material, infill and colour, so the entrance reads as part of the boundary rather than a bolt-on. Aluminium gates are light, which reduces the load on the rollers and the automation and suits residential and architectural entrances, while galvanised steel gates give the strength and rigidity that wide or security openings need. The infill matches the fence: horizontal or vertical slats for privacy, mesh or palisade for a security line. For the fence systems these gates match, see our guides to modern aluminium fencing and industrial and security fencing.
Sizing the gate and the opening
Sizing starts from the clear drive-through width the entrance needs, and everything follows from that. A cantilever gate adds its counterbalance tail, so the run-back space beside the opening is at least the leaf length, and this is checked against fences, walls and buildings before the gate is chosen. A tracked gate needs run-back for the leaf but no tail. Taller and wider gates are heavier, which drives the posts, foundations and automation, so the height is set from the fence and the security need. Confirming the opening, the run-back and the height early avoids a gate that will not fit the site.
Posts and foundations
A sliding gate concentrates its whole weight and turning force onto its support, so the posts and foundations are substantial. A cantilever gate puts a large overturning load into its two roller posts, which need deep, generous concrete footings to resist it without moving. A tracked gate spreads more of its weight onto the rail, but still needs a sound footing at the drive post and a properly bedded track. Ground preparation is a real part of the work, and on made-up or soft ground the foundations are sized accordingly. Getting the foundations right is what keeps a heavy gate running true for years.
Wind load and the gate leaf
A large gate leaf is a big surface, so wind load matters as much as it does on the fence. A solid or close-slat gate catches far more wind than an open mesh or palisade leaf, which increases the load on the posts, the rollers and the automation motor. On exposed sites this can drive a heavier frame, larger posts or a more open infill, and the wind loading is checked against the relevant Eurocode for the site. Choosing the infill and the drive to suit the exposure keeps a wide gate running smoothly rather than straining against the wind.
Automation
Most sliding gates are automated, and the gate is built to be driven from the start. The usual method is a rack and pinion: a motor with a drive gear engages a toothed rack along the lower face of the gate, moving it open and closed. For this to work reliably the gate must slide level and true in both directions, which is easiest on a well-founded cantilever but achievable on a tracked gate that is correctly set. Safety devices, photocells and safety edges, stop the gate on an obstruction, and a manual release allows operation in a power cut. The automation is matched to the gate weight and daily duty.
Access control
On commercial and industrial entrances the sliding gate is often part of an access-control system rather than a standalone barrier. Keypads, intercoms, card or fob readers and vehicle loop detectors can be integrated with the automation, so the gate opens for authorised access and closes behind it. On a security perimeter this turns the entrance into a controlled point rather than a weak one. The control equipment is matched to the site and the traffic, and it is specified alongside the gate and the automation so the whole entrance works as one system.
Security and the entrance
On a secure perimeter the gate is the point most likely to be tested, so a sliding gate is specified to the same standard as the fence. It carries the same height, infill and any anti-climb topping as the run, and the gap beneath and beside it is kept to a minimum so it offers no easier way in than the fence itself. A cantilever gate suits security work because it keeps working in all weathers and leaves no ground track to jam. Matching the gate to the fence keeps the whole perimeter at one security level rather than leaving a weak point at the entrance.
Maintenance
Sliding gates need modest but regular care to keep running. A cantilever gate has little to maintain beyond the rollers and the automation, because nothing runs on the ground. A tracked gate needs its rail kept clear of debris, snow and ice, and checked for level as the ground settles. On both, the galvanised and powder-coated finish is kept sound, and any edge cut or drilled during installation is re-protected with zinc-rich paint. The automation, hinges and safety devices are checked periodically. Well founded and maintained, a sliding gate lasts as long as the fence it serves.
Sliding gates from ULAMEX
ULAMEX has supplied the fencing and metals trade since 1988 and manufactures under EN 1090-1 EXC2 and ISO 3834-2.
| What you get | Detail |
|---|---|
| Types | Cantilever and tracked sliding gates to match the fence |
| Materials | Aluminium and galvanised steel, powder-coated in the fence colours |
| Infill | Slat, mesh or palisade to match the boundary |
| Posts and hardware | Heavy gate posts, rollers or track, and automation-ready frames |
| Terms | No minimum order on stocked SKUs, dispatch 2 to 7 working days, Europe-wide delivery from Poland |
Planning an entrance? Send the clear opening width, the run-back available, the fence it must match and whether it will be automated, and ULAMEX will advise on the type and return a non-binding quotation with lead time. See our guides to how to choose a fence and how to install fence panels, the modern fencing system range and our guide to galvanised steel and DX51D, or view our supply capabilities. Contact the desk at [email protected] or +48 504 424 761.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a cantilever and a tracked sliding gate?
A cantilever gate hangs on rollers from posts to one side and never touches the ground, so it works over uneven ground, snow and debris. A tracked gate runs on a ground rail, which is more economical but must be kept clean and level. Cantilever suits demanding sites; tracked suits clean, level openings.
How much space does a cantilever gate need?
A cantilever gate has a counterbalance tail behind its posts, so the whole leaf is roughly 50 per cent longer than the clear opening, and it needs that much run-back space beside the entrance to park. The space is checked against fences, walls and buildings before the gate is chosen.
When should I choose a sliding gate over a swing gate?
Choose a sliding gate for a wide vehicle entrance, a sloping drive where a swing leaf would ground, a busy access with no room to swing into traffic, or where the full opening must stay clear. A swing gate is simpler on a narrow opening with room to swing.
Can a sliding gate be automated?
Yes, and most are. The usual method is a rack and pinion, where a motor drive gear engages a toothed rack on the lower face of the gate. The gate must slide level and true, and safety devices such as photocells and safety edges stop it on an obstruction, with a manual release for power cuts.
What material are sliding gates made from?
Sliding gates are built to match the fence, in aluminium or galvanised steel. Aluminium is light and reduces the load on the rollers and automation, suiting residential entrances, while galvanised steel gives the strength wide or security openings need. Both are powder-coated in the fence colours.
Which gate is best for a security perimeter?
A cantilever gate suits security work because it keeps running in all weathers with no ground track to jam. It carries the same height, infill and anti-climb topping as the fence, with the gap beneath and beside it minimised, so the entrance is no easier to pass than the run itself.
Can ULAMEX supply a sliding gate to match my fence?
Yes. ULAMEX supplies cantilever and tracked sliding gates in aluminium and galvanised steel, with slat, mesh or palisade infill matched to the fence and powder-coated in the same colours. Send the opening width, the run-back and whether it will be automated for a non-binding quotation.