Are swing gates better than cantilever gates?
When choosing the right type of gate for your property, there are a range of options available, each one with its own set of advantages and disadvantages depending on your needs and the type of property you have.
Two of the most popular types of gates are swing gates and cantilever gates. Both of these gates serve the purpose of providing security and improving the look of your property, but they do differ in functionality.
In this short blog post, we look into the differences between swing gates, and cantilever gates, to help you make the right choice when purchasing your gate, and to give you the chance to decide which is better for you.
Swing gates
Swing gates are the traditional option when it comes to choosing a gate. They’re commonly used for domestic and commercial properties and can be either manually controlled or automated.
Like other types of gates, swing gates can also be manufactured from a range of different high-quality materials, including hardwood, steel (or a mixture of steel and wooden boards), and aluminium.
Advantages of a swing gate over a cantilever gate
The advantages of a swing gate over a cantilever gate come down to what you’re looking for as a customer, including how you need the style of the gate to blend in with the architectural style of your property, and the space available. But, the main advantage of a good quality swing gate over a good quality cantilever gate, is that swing gates don’t require as much space at the side of the gate, as a typical cantilever gate would.
Also, as a swing gate is a simpler design, in general, it will require less maintenance than a cantilever gate, possibly making it a better option if you don’t have the time or resources to carry out basic maintenance tasks as often.
However, a slight disadvantage of a swing gate, is that it will require swinging room, whether it opens inwards or outwards. So, if your property has a sloping driveway, or opens directly onto a main road, a swing gate might not be practical.
Cantilever Gates
Cantilever gates are a type of sliding gate that slides horizontally along a track supported by a cantilevered roller mechanism. This unique design means that there’s no need for tracks installed into the ground.
Like swing gates, cantilever gates are also available in a range of styles depending on the architecture of your property, can be automated or manually controlled, and can be made from various materials, including aluminium, hardwood and steel.
Advantages of a cantilever gate over a swing gate
A cantilever gate has a few advantages over a swing gate, but, again, in the end, it comes down to what you’re looking for in a gate, the style of your property, and the space you have available at the entrance. That said, one key advantage of a cantilever gate over a swing gate is that due to its sliding design, it doesn’t require swinging room, therefore making it a great choice if you have limited space at the front of your property.
Also, generally speaking, cantilever gates can span larger openings without the need for additional support posts in the middle, making them ideal for wider driveways, or entrances that require uninterrupted access. Nevertheless, if we were to pick out one disadvantage of a cantilever gate over a swing gate, it would be that due to the more complex design, on average, a cantilever gate may be more expensive than a swing gate of similar size.
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If you’re looking for any type of security gate for your domestic or commercial property, contact us at Gate Control, one of the UK's leading security gate specialists.