Driveway sliding gate considerations
Discussion
Hi all,
I've got a wooden fence on the side of my driveway which I'd like to turn into a sliding gate so that I can get a car into the side of my garden, where there is a 10m long bit of land to fit an extra car on. The gate itself will be approximately 4m wide.
I'm keen for something that is maintenance free, and relatively easy to open as we probably open it to get the bins out once a week as a minimum. I'd also prefer to not have it motorised to save on cost, but also for reliability. It will be rare that it will be full opened to get a car in/out.
- Will it be annoying to open if it's not motorised?
- Can you get wide sliding gates with a smaller pedestrian 'door' in them?
- I'd prefer the gate to be wooden, but don't mind if there is a visible metal frame.
- Do the running tracks need a lot of maintenance to run smoothly?
Grateful for the opinions from anyone who has one, and whether there's anything else I need to consider. I have no idea of cost, but would be keen to spend less than £5k on one. I'd rather the whole fence was fitted by a supplier, and I would want some guarantee on it operating smoothly.
Thanks,
Nick
I've got a wooden fence on the side of my driveway which I'd like to turn into a sliding gate so that I can get a car into the side of my garden, where there is a 10m long bit of land to fit an extra car on. The gate itself will be approximately 4m wide.
I'm keen for something that is maintenance free, and relatively easy to open as we probably open it to get the bins out once a week as a minimum. I'd also prefer to not have it motorised to save on cost, but also for reliability. It will be rare that it will be full opened to get a car in/out.
- Will it be annoying to open if it's not motorised?
- Can you get wide sliding gates with a smaller pedestrian 'door' in them?
- I'd prefer the gate to be wooden, but don't mind if there is a visible metal frame.
- Do the running tracks need a lot of maintenance to run smoothly?
Grateful for the opinions from anyone who has one, and whether there's anything else I need to consider. I have no idea of cost, but would be keen to spend less than £5k on one. I'd rather the whole fence was fitted by a supplier, and I would want some guarantee on it operating smoothly.
Thanks,
Nick
My gates are metal, but a couple of quick answers for you.
If you fit a pedestrian gate into them then the extra weight and bracing (and therefore cost) will be a lot. Can’t you just have a smaller pedestrian gate on the other side?
Mine are motorised and don’t regret it for a second. The gate as you envisage it will be heavier than you think. You will open them more than you imagined. Also, if you have them motorised you can have a pedestrian setting that just opens them a short distance.
If you fit a pedestrian gate into them then the extra weight and bracing (and therefore cost) will be a lot. Can’t you just have a smaller pedestrian gate on the other side?
Mine are motorised and don’t regret it for a second. The gate as you envisage it will be heavier than you think. You will open them more than you imagined. Also, if you have them motorised you can have a pedestrian setting that just opens them a short distance.
Agree with what the above poster has put, we've had an motorised sliding gate for 8 years now and use it daily (mainly to close it at night). Ours is at the front of the property and slides behind a mature hedge therefore concealing it, it's metal framed with wooden panels so quite modern looking.
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