Single vs Double Swing Gates: Which Gate Is Right for Your Property?

Securing your home and you’re looking into swing gates? This is a smart choice. Swing gates are a popular and elegant choice that merge easy entry with security. They can give you automated access and maintain high kerb appeal. The question then becomes: which do you go for? Single swing gates or double swing gates?

The choice doesn’t just boil down to aesthetics. You’ll need to consider the space you have to operate in, the ground clearance for your gates, if you motorise your gates, or if the weight of the double gate is too much.

Gate Opening Systems have been installing swing gates in Melbourne for over 40 years. We are perfectly placed to offer advice on what swing gates would work best for you. Below, we’ll go through what you need to know before you make the purchase of a single or a set of double swing gates.

What Is a Single Swing Gate?

A single gate is usually a pedestrian or small vehicle entrance. It consists of one panel, or leaf, that swings open. It is hinged on one side and secured with a latch on the other. For pedestrians they’re usually no more than 2 metres wide and rarely motorised. The vehicle gates are three to four meters wide and can sometimes be motorised.

You need space either inwards or outwards, equal to the width of the gate, so it has room to swing and let you in. Usually these gates swing inwards, allowing fast and convenient entry into a property, for safety reasons. This is especially true for vehicular single swing gates. Often they are motorised and you don’t want to be too close to the entrance. This means you’d need to back out onto the road to make enough room for the gate.. This is not safe.

Single swing gates require a robust, heavy duty post on the hinged side to handle the weight without sag. Generally they are easier to install and often less expensive to install when compared to a double swing gate.

Where Would You Have a Single Gate on Your Property?

Single swing gates are best positioned on your property where there would be foot traffic, such as a side gate to your backyard, or where you want a defined separation between public and private spaces. Front gates that lead onto a footpath is one example of this.

Single swing gates are also often used between the back yard and front yard. This is to help keep children and pets secure in the backyard and prevent them escaping into traffic out the front. It also allows safe play in the backyard by having the single swing gate locked.

As a front, automated gate to allow vehicle entry, they work when you don’t have much front space. Townhouses built on split blocks, where the back unit has a driveway down the side, is one example.

Things to consider when installing a single swing gate:

• Convenience. Have your gate where it is easy to get to and easy to walk through. Follow the natural walking path from front to rear, or from your front door to the front path.
• Drainage. Make sure where your gate is installed has good drainage. You don’t want the gate flooded during heavy rains. You’d be surprised how often the ground has divots or depressions after a gate has been installed incorrectly.
• Width. Single swing gates do have a standard size, from 1 metre to 1.5 metres. Try to keep the passage you’re gating not much wider than that.
• Security. Ensure your gate is lockable, with a padlock or key entry, to prevent unauthorised access.

What is a Double Swing Gate?

A double swing gate is a secure entryway featuring two hinged panels, or leaves, that meet in the middle when closed. They are designed so each panel swings inwards, or outwards, usually for vehicular access. They are common in driveways and often they are motorised.

They are a good choice for openings that are too wide for a single swing gate, but with not much room behind them to swing. For example, if you have a gap that is 4 metres wide, and only 3 metres clearance behind, a single 4 meter wide gate would not be able to swing wide. However, a pair of 2 metre gates, double swinging, would be fine.

Double swing gates can be manual or motorised. You would often see manual gates in rural areas with wide acreage and generous room for swing room. Automated double gates work well in urban environments and in industrial or commercial precincts.

Manual gates often use a drop bolt to secure the gates when they’re closed. The automated gates often have electronic locking and an intercom system to allow entry. This occurs particularly when double swing gates are used at commercial or industrial properties.

Where Would You Have a Double Swing Gate on Your Property?

Double swing gates are perfect for a grand entrance to your upmarket property in the suburbs. If you have enough space for both gates to swing, double wing gates are often more convenient for entrances. They’re also very common at commercial properties and industrial estates..

If you have rural acreage the double gates are a good idea. The extra room allows for heavy vehicles to gain access, and even the ease of movement for livestock.

For properties with long fence lines, often double swing gates help maintain a consistent look and feel, especially if you have wide panels on your fence.

If you are restricted to lateral movement for a sliding gate system, swing gates work very well, double gates in particular are a good option, since you need less space behind a double gate than what you would need for a single swing gate.

Think about the space you have and the look you’re after. Double swing gates have a more grandiose feel about them and require less space behind them. However, a single swing gate works well for narrow openings, and they have a lower installation cost than double gates.

Gate Opening Systems has been serving the greater Melbourne area for over 40 years. We’ve installed all sorts of gates and fences, so our team is the right team to help assess your needs and recommend the right kind of gate.

Contact us today and let’s get talking about how we can help with gates, fencing, and security for your home, office, or business.

FAQ

Q: Do swing gates require much maintenance?

Automated swing gates should be serviced periodically to keep hinges, motors, and control systems in good working order. Gate Opening Systems offers preventative maintenance programs to extend the life of your gate and avoid unexpected breakdowns.

Q: What happens to my swing gate if there’s a power outage?

Most automated swing gate systems include a manual override function, allowing the gate to be operated by hand during a power outage. Gate Opening Systems provides manual override procedures and can walk you through the process for your specific system.

Q: What types of gates does Gate Opening Systems supply and install?

Gate Opening Systems offers a comprehensive range including swing gates, sliding gates, cantilever gates, pedestrian gates, boom gates, and turnstiles for residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

Q: Are Gate Opening Systems’ products Australian made?

Yes. Gate Opening Systems manufactures their gates locally in Melbourne using Australian-sourced materials, supporting local jobs and suppliers while ensuring products meet Australian standards.

Q: Do they offer service and maintenance for existing gates?

Yes. Gate Opening Systems provides service calls (including emergency callouts), preventative maintenance programs, manual override support, and remote programming assistance for a wide range of gate systems.

Q: Can I buy gate remotes and accessories online?

Yes. Gate Opening Systems has an online shop where customers can purchase gate remotes and accessories directly. They accept Visa, PayPal, Apple Pay, and American Express.

Q: How do I get a quote?

You can request a quote directly through the Gate Opening Systems website via their Quote Enquiry form, or call them on 03 9305 3034. Their team is based at Factory 2/11 Leader St, Campbellfield VIC 3061, and can also be reached at gates@gateopeningsystems.com.au.