Cantilever Gates vs Swing Gates: Detailed Comparison

The choice between a cantilever gate or a swing gate is actually one of the most common decisions that people face when looking to secure a driveway to their home, or an entrance to an industrial park or warehouse space. Both gates are reliable and widely used, but they work in fundamentally different ways. That difference can matter more than you might think. Get the choice right, and you end up with a gate that suits your site, your traffic, and your budget for years to come. Get it wrong, and you’re stuck with ongoing maintenance headaches or a gate that simply doesn’t fit the space.

In this comparison, we’ll break down how cantilever gates stack up against swing gates, where each one excels, and what to weigh up before you commit to one or the other.

How Cantilever Gates Work

Cantilever gates work without tracks on the ground. Instead they ‘float’above the ground with counterweights on the tail of the gate, smoothly opening by sliding across your driveway. A pair of heavy-duty poles are installed either side of the entrance with enclosed wheels to help the gate roll open and closed.

These types of gates stay level because of the weight distribution, with the counterbalance equalling the front half of the gate. Combined with the enclosed rollers to stop the gate itself from swinging upwards and you have a well-balanced and secure gate.

These gates generally work well in environments with rough or uneven ground, where a track would be inconvenient. Having no track to run on also means that debris such as sticks and rocks, won’t block the gate from working.

Cantilever gates are easy to automate due to the smooth nature with which they open and close. The lack of ground friction makes them easy on the proper motors that would be opening them.

These gates do require space either side of the entrance for it to slide into, and then some. The counterweight adds up to 50% more length to the gate. If you’re struggling for space, this might not be the choice for you.

How Swing Gates Work

Swing gates work the way they’re described- they either swing inwards or outwards on hinges, attached to heavy-duty posts. They can be a single panel swing gate, or you can have a pair of gates that swing open in the middle, and they can be easily automated.

The gates hang from solid pillars, possibly the most important component of this style of gate. This pillar needs to support the weight of the gate, which will always be trying to tip it over, thanks to gravity. The correct hinges are also required to stop the gate sagging over time.

If it is an automated gate, actuators are installed on one side. These push and pull the gate open and closed when activated remotely.

A safety component for automated gates is usually an infrared cross-beam. If anything breaks the beam while the gate is closing, then it will automatically reopen to prevent accidents.

Cantilever vs Swing: Key Differences

The most telling difference between these two kinds of gates is how they open, obviously. Cantilever gates slide along the fenceline, while swing gates open inwards or outwards, much like doors. There are other differences as well.

Space Required

• Swing gates require an unobstructed arc, at least the size of the gate, in the direction in which it swings. You can’t block it with, say, a parked car or a rubbish bin. If you don’t have much space on your fence for a gate, then a swing gate is the preferred option.
• Cantilever gates slide along the fenceline, so you need enough fenceline to one side of the entrance for the gate to slide into. This works well if you lack the space to the front or back of your fence and wouldn’t be able to fit a swing gate.

Ground and Terrain

• Swing gates need level terrain. You can’t swing a gate into a steep incline upwards, and if you have a steep incline going downwards. It is also possible you may be able to slip under the gate, so you would need to secure that. Some swing gates run on tracks, so level ground would be required for those as well.
• Cantilever gates don’t run on ground tracks; rather they float in the air, thanks to the counterweights. This makes them ideal for rough ground and uneven surfaces, such as rural settings or construction sites.

Footprint and Installation

• Swing gates are generally easier and cheaper to install on a standard, flat residential block. The footprint of a swing gate is smaller, only requiring space to swing into, in one direction.
• Cantilever gates are a little more complicated to install, and hence cost a little bit more. The engineering of a counterweight and sliders along the fence means installation can be trickier. Their footprint is wide, needing space to slide song, but in front of, and behind the fenceline, it is a tiny footprint.

Security

• Swing gates are the easier of the two types of gates to break open if not secure. They can be rammed or forced open, as that is the way they swing open normally. Heavy-duty locks and dual-leaf reinforcement can help secure a swing gate from intrusion.
• Cantilever gates are more difficult to open by vandals. As swinging open is not their natural operation, ramming and forcing them open is more difficult. It is also harder, physically, to try to force the gate open sideways.

Which Gate Is Right for You?

The factors that will sway you in the decision of which gate is best for you and your property focus on location, driveway layout and your budget.

Swing Gates are best for rural properties where simplicity is desired. If you have a wide entrance, swing gates, either single or double, are your best option. Flat driveways benefit from swing gates as well.

• PROS: Lower upfront costs, fast and easy installation and gives you a traditional look for your property.
• CONS: Needs the arc of space to swing into. If you have sloped ground either side of your gate it could block the full opening.

A Cantilever Gate that slides along your fenceline works when you don’t have flat ground to install a gate. It’s best for urban spaces which are tight with not much space front and back of the fence. They’re also good for commercial properties with trucks or vans which regularly visit. Without the swing arc required, large vehicles don’t need to gauge the distance required before a gate.

• PROS: No ground track to get clogged by debris. Plenty of space either side of the fence for parking or driveways.
• CONS: More expensive to install due to engineering needs. You need lateral space for the fenceline. With no ground contact, the potential to get under the gate may exist, posing a security concern.

Get Expert Advice on the Right Gate for Your Property

Choosing the right gate for your property comes down to your site more than your personal preference. Flat, open entrances suit a simple swing gate, while properties with tight spaces and uneven ground more than likely need a cantilever gate. Getting these decisions right first up can save you from costly reworking or fighting the design of your site.

If you’re still weighing up which option suits your driveway or commercial entrance, the team at Gate Opening Systems can walk you through the specifics of your site and recommend the right fit. Get in touch with Gate Opening Systems for expert advice and a tailored quote.