There are many factors to consider when you are choosing your electric gates and the amount of space you have may dictate which opening your gates may need as they need space to open and close fully. The following article was published on linkcare.net and looks at the many options available to you when it comes to electric gates – including the variety of openings. Take a look below…

Automatic gates need space to move through as they open and close. Swing gates open through an arc equal to each gate’s width, and sliding gates need space longer than their length to slide into. Any static obstacles such as walls, trees, your house or ascending steps in the area proposed gates will move through will prevent their installation. Cars have to be parked clear of the same area and the family should be educated about moving swing gates and sliding gates and what they can do and what should be avoided.

So, what are your options if you have limited space for electric gates to travel through?

Bi-fold gates

Bi-fold gates are effectively normal swing gates cut in half vertically. This means that they require about half the space traditional swing gates travel through as they fold in the middle as they swing open.

This may sound like the perfect option for anyone with limited space but there are a few caveats with bi-fold gates.

The traditional way to install bi-fold gates is to have a track in the ground or a rail above the electric gates that guides the leading edge of each gate as they open and close. But overhead rails can be unattractive and limit the height of vehicles that can pass through bi-fold driveway gates. Ground tracks also need regular cleaning to keep them free from leaves and gravel etc.

Bi-fold gates have to be installed carefully to ensure correct operation. They must be able to move through their full travel without binding on tracks or rails.

However, there is now a new kit that allows bi-fold gate installation without tracks or rails. As with any bi-fold gate, careful and accurate installation of the driveway gates, hinges and the electric gate kit is vital for smooth operation. These gates also need a close stop for each gate leaf to close onto.

Once the kit or tracks is installed, bi-fold gates can be automated by any standard swing gate automation motors such as articulated arm, rams, linear screw or undergrounds.

The complex nature of bi-fold gates means that there’s a limit to the size of gates that can be fabricated, and larger, industrial bi-fold gates need to be specially fabricated.

Sliding Gates

Sliding gates need enough room for the driveway gate to slide into to completely clear the entrance space between the pillars or posts. The alternatives involve splitting the sliding gate into smaller sections. This can be as follows:

Telescopic gates

Telescopic sliding gates split the driveway gate into overlapping sections that slide alongside the other sections as they open and close. If the electric gate is split into two sections, it needs slightly more than half the space of the equivalent single sliding gate. If it’s split into three sections, it will need just over a third the space of the equivalent single sliding gate.

These systems have the section nearest the open post driven by a standard sliding gate motor and use a series of cables to control the opening and closing of the other leaf or leaves.

Aside from the added complexity of installing multiple gate leaves and drive cables, a telescopic sliding gate system will require a separate track for each leaf to be laid in the driveway entrance.

Bi-parting slide gates

Bi-parting sliding gates are two gates that simply open in the middle and each leaf slides to one side.
While space is needed on both sides of the electric gate to accommodate each leaf, only just over half the space required for a single sliding gate leaf is required on each side of the driveway entrance.

Round-the-corner sliding gates

Round-the-corner sliding gates are made up of multiple vertical sections hinged on both edges. This allows the gate sections to follow a curved track. Where there is not enough room for a standard sliding gate to open fully, these sliding gates allow the gate to follow the obstacle rather than hit it.

Round-the-corner sliding gates obviously require a special curved track and the cost of the electric gates is more than the equivalent solid sliding gate.

In all the above cases, the cost of the driveway gates, hinges, tracks and installation will be higher than the equivalent pair of swing gates or single sliding gate with standard gate automation system. However, if space is at a premium, and automated gates are highly desired, there are gate automation options for those willing to pay the extra cost for the added complexity.

You can read the full article on linkcare.net.

If you’ve thought about investing in electric gates, why not contact us today to find out how we can help you! Our team are experts in the installation of electric gates and can advise on what would work best for your needs and the space you have.