Wing or sliding - which gate to choose?
The gate is a very important element of the fence, and its selection is best done at the stage of planning space in the garden. However, you should not only be guided by aesthetics, as the length of the driveway, the shape of the plot or the slope of the area are also important. Below we describe the basic differences between swing and sliding gates and the restrictions on their assembly.
Wing gate
The wing door is a traditional solution that has one or two movable wings mounted on hinged posts. This solution is ideal for narrow, but deep plots of land, i.e. on terraced housing estates. The wing gate does not create any restrictions on the location of the gate or planting plants along the fence.
By law, the gate and the gate must open inside the property, without posing a threat to pedestrians or cars. For this reason, it may not be possible to install the swing gate when the driveway between the fence and the garage is steep or too short. Another disadvantage of the swing gate is the need to clear of snow in winter the area on which the wings open.
Sliding gate
The sliding gate usually has one wing, which moves along the fence. It is worth emphasizing, however, that there are also gates with two wings, diverging in opposite directions. In general, sliding gates are considered to be a more modern design, but with properly selected materials, they also look great with traditional buildings. There are two types of sliding gates: rail and self-supporting.
Sliding gates have special rails, on which the wing moves during opening. It is worth remembering that rails require regular cleaning and snow removal in winter, otherwise the rollers of the gate may be damaged.
Self-supporting sliding gates, which do not require placing rails on the opening line, are a much more practical solution. The gate wing moves without touching the ground, which eliminates, among other things, the need to remove snow in winter. When planning such a solution, you should remember that it requires more space along the fence - an additional counterweight is usually 1/3 the length of the wing.
Regardless of the type of gate, there must be no plants or other objects in its path when opening. When installing a sliding gate, you should also plan the position of the gate well, so that the fence will not be damaged or the entrance to the property will blocked by the open wing.
The advantage of the sliding gate is the fact that after opening the wing does not take up space on the driveway, and for the car full entry path is available. The gates of such a construction work well in a situation where the plot is wide, but the distance between the fence and the building is small. However, it will not be possible to mount the gate when the terrain rises rapidly in the direction in which the door moves during opening.
If you plan to change the fence and do not know which gate to choose, contact us! Xcel experts will help you find solutions tailored to your needs.
