Gate system
Swing gates: the traditional entrance, engineered properly
Swing gates — a hinged single leaf or double pair — remain the default choice for Surrey driveways with level thresholds and space inside the boundary. They suit period ironwork best, cost less to install than sliders, and automate cleanly with underground, articulated-arm or ram motors. Installed pairs run £6,500–£16,000.
Why swing remains the default — and when it shouldn't be
Swing gates win on three counts: they're the natural format for period iron design, they need no run-off along the boundary, and their groundworks are lighter than a slider's foundation beam, so a like-for-like installation is typically £1,500–£3,000 cheaper.
They lose when the site fights them: a drive rising through the swing arc, parking within the arc, or an opening past ~5m where leaves become wind-loaded levers. Our decision guide works through this with measurements.
Inward or outward opening?
Inward is standard — outward-opening gates over a public highway are not permitted, and outward over a shared drive invites disputes. Where the drive falls away inside the boundary, rising hinges or a re-set gate line usually rescue an inward swing before we abandon it.
Choosing the automation: underground, articulated or ram
| Motor type | How it mounts | Best for | Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Underground (e.g. CAME Frog) | Buried at the hinge, invisible | Ornamental iron where aesthetics rule | Highest install cost; needs drainage |
| Articulated arm | Follows the leaf on a jointed arm | Wide piers, shallow posts, retrofits | Visible arm; moderate cost |
| Linear ram / screw | Pushes the leaf directly | Standard pairs, best value | Needs correct geometry to the hinge |
| Hydraulic ram | Oil-driven, high force | Heavy iron, windy plots, high duty | Premium price; see comparison |
Geometry is the make-or-break detail with rams: the bracket positions determine opening speed, force curve and whether the leaf can open past 90°. We plot it before quoting rather than discovering it on install day.
Details that decide whether a swing pair lasts
- Hinge specification. Adjustable, greasable sealed-bearing hinges — automation multiplies cycles, and worn hinges overload motors within a year.
- Post foundations. On Surrey clay we found posts to a depth set by soil condition, typically 800–1200mm, with the concrete isolated from the drive slab so seasonal heave doesn't rack the gates.
- Drop bolts and centre stops engineered into the threshold, not surface-screwed afterwards.
- Leaf-delay programming so overlapping astragals close in the right order every time.
Free site survey & fixed quotation
Get a precise price for swing gates
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
Can swing gates open outwards onto the road?
No — leaves must not swing over the public highway. Outward opening is only possible entirely within your own boundary, which occasionally suits gates set back up the drive.
What's the maximum width for swing gates?
Practically, leaves of 2.5m each (5m opening) are the comfortable ceiling for residential automation; beyond that wind loading pushes cost and wear sharply, and a slider is usually wiser.
My drive slopes up — can I still have swing gates?
Sometimes: rising hinges lift the leaf as it opens, buying 50–100mm. Beyond that, sliding or cantilever gates are the honest recommendation.
Do swing gates need both photocells and safety edges?
On most residential pairs, photocells plus correctly force-limited motors satisfy BS EN 12453; leaves closing against piers or walls add crush zones that require edges. We confirm on survey and force-test at handover.