Cantilever gates are a very convenient and new form of sliding gate that is mostly applied in the UK in residential, commercial, and industrial entry control. Cantilever gates, unlike conventional sliding gates, do not need ground tracks, and as such, they suit rough landscapes, gravel roadways, driveways, and high traffic areas. They have been a successful entry into the modern access solutions due to their floating design, increased security, and easy operation.
What Are Cantilever Gates?
Cantilever gates are a type of sliding gate that slides horizontally across a hole, and does not travel on a track at ground level. Rather, they are supported and balanced on rollers, carriages, and a counterbalance device mounted on a concrete base. The gate is basically floating in the air due to its movement of opening and closing without interfering with the ground track.
This design enables predictable performance in areas where a ground track may not perform well, such as uneven ground, slopes, gravel, or snow-prone conditions.
How Do Cantilever Gates Work?
A typical cantilever gate system is made up of:
- Support Carriages: These are two heavy-duty cantilever carriages that are placed on a solid concrete base that holds rollers on which the weight of the gate is supported.
- Guide Rollers: Top support rollers ensure the gate remains stable and does not sway during movement.
- Counterbalance Tail: The rear extension of the gate frame that counterbalances the main span, allowing the gate to slide easily.
- Concrete Pad/ Foundations: A solid reinforced ground is required to have the carriages and posts well secured.
To ensure safe and proper operation, automated installations will have a motor, gear rack, control panel, and safety accessories, including photocells and safety edges.
Benefits of Cantilever Gates
No Ground Track Required
One of the most important advantages is the lack of a ground track. This removes problems of debris, frost, or water accumulation that, in other cases, will interfere with conventional sliding gate mechanisms.
Suitable for Uneven Terrain
Cantilever gates are particularly useful in rough or hilly terrain, where the tracked gates would not be.
Low Maintenance
So having fewer mechanical parts that come into contact with dirt and wear at the ground level, these gates take little cleaning and maintenance than tracked ones.
Enhanced Security
Cantilever gates are also difficult to attack or break through because of their solid design and floating design as opposed to swing-gates or tracked sliding gates with weak supports.
Smooth and Quiet Operation
The roller-backed glide is smooth and silent, perfect both inside the home setting and in the high-traffic commercial door.
Key Materials for Cantilever Gates
Steel
Cantilever gates are mostly made of steel because it is a strong and durable material. It can be galvanised and powder-coated to increase the resistance to corrosion – it is perfect in the weather of the UK.
Aluminium
Aluminium is lighter and inherently less corrosive, reducing load on rollers and motors. It is well-suited to residential installations that require aesthetics and ease of automation.
Infill Options
Cantilever gates may be infilled in various types of design, like welded mesh, vertical bars, palisade pales, or timber panels, which enables them to be similar to the current fencing designs.
Coatings & Finishes
Galvanising of high-quality (BS/ISO standards) and powder coatings are necessary because they provide long-lasting, weather-resistant functioning across the UK.
Design Considerations for UK Properties
In designing cantilever gates, there are a number of factors that should be taken into consideration:
- Gate Width and Opening Size: The size of the run-back space needed is normally 130-140 percent of the entire size of the gate opening to allow the counterbalance.
- Site Surface & Ground Conditions: Find out whether the ground is uneven, sloped, or blocked. Cantilever gates are good in difficult terrains.
- Security Requirements: Choose materials and automation elements with the level of security that you want.
- Aesthetic Match: Coordinate style gate, infill, and finish with fencing or property design around it.
Manual vs Automated Cantilever Gates
Manual Cantilever Gates
Manual systems are simpler, less expensive, and less demanding on electrical infrastructure. They are well-suited to areas where automation is not required.
Automated Cantilever Gates
Automated systems include motors, safety devices, and controllers, as well as monitored photocells and guarded edges. They are convenient and more controlled in the high traffic locations.
The automation options must comply with UK standards for the safe operation of powered gates.
Installation Guide & Best Practices
It is highly recommended to have professional installation, which would guarantee structural integrity, safety standards, and durability of performance:
- Concrete Foundation Preparation: A reinforced concrete pad should be made ready and allowed to cure, and then carriages and posts fitted on it.
- Correct Run-Back Space: Make sure that there are adequate counterbalance sections.
- Precision Alignment: Alignment of rollers and guide systems: This is important to ensure smooth and long operation.
- Professional Automation Arrangement: In the case of powered systems, it is necessary to assess the risk and follow the safety requirements.
Maintaining Cantilever Gates
Although cantilever gates require low maintenance, periodical inspection can be used to ensure that they last longer:
- Roller Lubrication: keep the rollers on the carriage and guide lightly lubricated as suggested.
- Structural Integrity: Check the gate frame, posts, and infill materials on an annual basis.
- Check-Up of Automation: In the case of automated systems, check control panels, motors, and safety sensors are generally checked on a regular basis.
Common Applications of Cantilever Gates
Cantilever gates are generalised and are applicable in:
- Residential Driveways: Driveways and home security entrances.
- Commercial and Industrial Sites: Unique concentrated areas of traffic yards, factories, and distribution centres.
- Car Parks and Logistics Sites: In which continuous access to the ground is required.
Cantilever Gates vs Traditional Sliding Gates
Although both types of gates slide horizontally, the key difference is that cantilever gates do not have a ground-level track, unlike older sliding gates that use a track system within the driveway. Cantilever systems thereby eliminate debris and alignment challenges usually experienced in the tracked gates, and offer superior terrain adaptability.
Do you want Cantilever Gates?
Cantilever gates will offer a strong option, whether at home, at work, or in industry, as a durable, low-Maintenance, secure, and smooth-operating gate system, particularly on sloping ground or on high-traffic pedestrian access/exit points.
Cantilever gate systems may be customised to performance, aesthetic, and security requirements in high-grade steel or aluminium materials, sophisticated automation, and unique infill designs.
