Sliding Vs Swinging Automatic Gates – What Are The Pros And Cons?
If you are in search of automatic gates, you may be under the impression that all you need to do is find gates that are electronically operated. But there is much more that goes into this decision. Automatic gates are available in an array of profiles, with the two most common being the sliding variety and the swinging alternative. Knowing what the two different options will offer you mainly depends on what you need from your gates. Here is a piece that highlights both the pros and cons of these two different gates to guide you in making a discerning decision on what will work best with your property.
Swinging automatic gates
There are a number of reasons why swinging automatic gates will be a good fit for your home. Firstly, they have a contemporary design that adds a modern touch to your driveway and residence at large. Additionally, the swinging gates do not need to be secured with any concrete or steel, which means they are much easier to install when compared to their sliding counterparts. Swing gates also offer smooth operation, which makes them the less noisy option to choose. Furthermore, swinging gates can be opened both inward and outward, depending on the slope of your property.
On the flip side, swings gates do take up a lot of space since they need room for operation, and this can make them unfit for small driveways. Moreover, if the panels on the swing gates do not allow wind to pass through, high winds can make operating them difficult.
Sliding automatic gates
Sliding automatic gates are a popular choice since they are suitable for both commercial and residential applications. Sliding gates are also easy to install, which makes them ideal for either professional or DIY projects. Since these gates are space saving due to their parallel operation, they can be installed on any type of property irrespective of the driveway space available. Sliding gates also do not need any additional locking mechanisms, as their hardware locks electronically. Lastly, you can choose between the cantilever and telescopic formats, giving you different options to consider.
The main disadvantage that you may want to bear in mind when deliberating on sliding gates is that they will take up some additional driveway space since the contractors have to install a steel beam or concrete pad to secure the gates in place. Furthermore, you have to be meticulous about cleaning the telescopic sliding gates as twigs, leaves and pebbles can be caught into the tracks and impede the operation of the gates.