Comparison · Decision guide
Sliding vs swing gates: decide with a tape measure, not a preference
Choose swing gates when the drive is level, cars park more than 4m inside the gate line, and the opening is under 5m — they cost £1,500–£3,000 less and suit period design. Choose sliding when the drive is short or rises across the swing arc, the opening exceeds 5m, or you have clear boundary run-off. The site decides; taste only breaks ties.
The head-to-head
| Factor | Swing | Sliding |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost (like-for-like) | Lower — baseline | +£1,500 – £3,000 (foundation beam, run-off works) |
| Space consumed | Swing arc inside the drive | Zero on the drive; needs boundary run-off |
| Sloping drives | Fails past ~70mm rise across the arc | Indifferent to the drive behind the gate line |
| Openings over 5m | Strained: wind-loaded lever leaves | Routine to 10m+ |
| Period ironwork aesthetics | The natural format | Possible, less traditional |
| Security when closed | Two leaves meeting at a centre latch | Single leaf locked into a receiver — harder to force |
| Maintenance profile | Hinges & ram geometry | Track/rack cleanliness (or cantilever: minimal) |
| Power cut behaviour | Manual release, push open | Manual release, roll open |
The five-measurement decision framework
Take these on site and the answer usually falls out before anyone quotes:
- Rise across the arc. Level at the gate line, then measure ground rise 1m, 2m, 3m in along each leaf's sweep. Over ~70mm total → sliding (or rising hinges as a marginal rescue).
- Parking depth. Front bumper to gate line under 4m → sliding, or the swing arc traps the car.
- Opening width. Over 5m → sliding by default.
- Boundary run-off. Clear straight boundary of opening +0.5m (tracked) or +50% (cantilever)? No → swing, or a telescopic slider.
- Wind exposure + infill. Solid boarding on an exposed plot penalises long swing leaves hardest.
Two or more factors pointing the same way is a decision; one marginal factor is a survey conversation — book one and we'll measure it with you.
Edge cases worth knowing about
- Bi-parting sliders (two leaves meeting centrally) halve the run-off requirement each side — useful on very wide entrances with boundary on both flanks.
- Telescopic sliders compress run-off to ~60% of opening at a premium — the tight-site rescue.
- Gravel and resin surfaces push sliders toward cantilever; a ground track in gravel is perpetual housekeeping.
- Conservation settings: planners occasionally prefer swing pairs for street-scene reasons on listed frontages — factor it in early via the planning guide.
Free site survey & fixed quotation
Get a precise price for the right gate system
Tell us the opening width, whether power is nearby and the style you have in mind. We measure on site, confirm a fixed price in writing, and never sell door-to-door.
Prefer to talk? Call 01483 000 000.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more secure, sliding or swing gates?
Sliding, marginally: a single leaf engaged in a receiver post with a worm-drive operator resists forcing better than two swing leaves meeting at a latch. Both are secure when specified well — the security guide covers the details that matter more than the format.
Which is cheaper to maintain long-term?
Swing gates have fewer groundwork dependencies; tracked sliders trade that for track housekeeping. Cantilever sliders are arguably the lowest-touch of all three once installed.
Can I have swing gates on a sloping drive?
Up to roughly 70mm of rise across the arc, yes, with rising hinges. Beyond that, forcing a swing solution produces gates that scrape, sag or need ugly threshold ramps — the site is telling you to slide.