ElectriGate · No swing clearance needed

Electric Sliding Gates
Supplied & Installed Across the UK

Electric sliding gates open parallel to the fence or wall rather than swinging into the driveway — making them ideal for sloped driveways, narrow plots, wider entrances and any property where swing clearance is limited or unavailable.

No swing clearance needed
Ideal for sloped driveways
Single and cantilever options
BS EN 12453 compliant
Electric sliding gate fully open and sitting parallel to the boundary wall at a residential driveway entrance
Electric sliding gates

What are electric sliding gates?

A sliding gate moves horizontally along a track or frame parallel to the boundary wall, rather than opening inward or outward on hinges. The motor drives the gate leaf along a rack-and-pinion system — no swing space required on either side of the entrance.

There are two main types: tracked sliding gates (gate runs on a ground track with roller wheels) and cantilever sliding gates (gate hangs on a frame and glides over the entrance without touching the ground). Cantilever gates are ideal where the ground surface is uneven or where a clear entrance is important.

Sliding gates are particularly well-suited to wider entrances, commercial properties and any driveway where a swing gate would be impractical. They also open faster than swing gates, making them the preferred choice for high-use entrances.

Key facts
Best suited to
Sloped driveways, narrow plots, wider entrances, high-use properties
Typical width range
Up to 10m+ (wider than swing gates)
Materials available
Composite, steel, aluminium, wrought iron
Drive type
Rack-and-pinion motor (tracked or cantilever)
Automation levels
Level 1 (basic) to Level 3 (full smart control)
Typical complete package
£3,500 – £9,000+
Gate, posts, automation & installation. VAT not included.

⚡ELECTRIC SLIDING GATES

Ground track and roller wheel mechanism at the base of an electric sliding gate

Sliding gate on track

Bottom of an electric sliding gate showing the ground track, roller wheels and rack-and-pinion drive mechanism.
Cantilever electric sliding gate hovering above the driveway surface on a steel frame

Cantilever sliding gate

Gate slides on a cantilevered frame, hovering above the entrance surface
Electric sliding gate motor unit and rack drive mechanism at the base of a gate post

Motor unit close-up

Electric sliding gate motor unit mounted at the base of the gate poste
Tracked or cantilever?

Which type of sliding gate is right for your property?

Both types operate the same way but suit different site conditions. Your installer will recommend the most practical option at survey stage.

Tracked sliding gate
Most common · lower cost
✓ Gate runs on a ground-level rail with roller wheels
✓ Solid, reliable system well-suited to standard driveways
✓ Generally lower installation cost than cantilever
→ Track must be kept clear of debris and gravel
→ Not ideal for very uneven surfaces or gravel driveways
Cantilever sliding gate
No ground track · premium option
✓ Gate glides above the ground on a cantilevered frame
✓ No ground track to maintain or obstruct the entrance
✓ Ideal for gravel, uneven surfaces and entrance ramps
→ Requires additional space for the counterbalance frame
→ Generally higher cost than tracked equivalent

Not sure which is right for your property? Your installer will assess the entrance, ground conditions and available space at survey stage and recommend the most practical option. Submit an enquiry →

Is a sliding gate right for you?

When is a sliding gate the right choice?

Sloped driveway

If your driveway slopes toward the entrance, swing gates become very difficult to operate cleanly — the geometry of the swing conflicts with the slope. A sliding gate avoids this problem entirely.

Limited swing clearance

If there is a wall, post, parked vehicle or public path immediately inside or outside the entrance, a swing gate may not have room to open fully. A sliding gate needs only side clearance, not forward clearance.

Wider entrances

Sliding gates can span wider openings than swing gates without the structural challenges of very large hinged leaves. For entrances over 5m, sliding is often the more practical solution.

Speed of access

Sliding gates typically open faster than swing gates — an important factor for commercial properties or households with frequent arrivals and departures.

Consider a swing gate instead if
→ You have limited side clearance along the boundary
→ Your entrance is 3m or less and your driveway is level
→ You want the widest choice of styles at the lowest cost
About electric swing gates →

Still unsure? Send us photos and measurements of your entrance and our local installer will advise on the best gate type for your specific layout.

Get Expert Advice →
Automation options

Automation options for sliding gates

Sliding gates use a rack-and-pinion motor drive. Three levels of automation are available — from basic fob operation to full smart home control. See full pricing guide →

Level 1

Basic

  • · Photocell safety beams
  • · 2x wireless remote fobs
  • · 8-parameter control board
  • · Gates up to 3m wide
Sliding gate motor from
£2,400
Most popular
Level 2

Intermediate

  • · 2–4x photocell beams
  • · 4–6x safety edges
  • · 4+ wireless remote fobs
  • · GSM phone control with SIM
  • · 24v digital MAG lock
  • · Gates up to 5m wide
Sliding gate motor from
£3,500
Level 3

Advanced

  • · Wireless photocell beams
  • · In-ground vehicle detection loop
  • · Double 24v MAG locks
  • · 8+ wireless fobs
  • · Mobile app control (multi-user)
  • · Gates up to 6m+ wide
Sliding gate motor from
£5,000+

⚡ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AbOUT ELECTRIC SLIDING GATES

  • How much side clearance does a sliding gate need?

    A tracked sliding gate typically needs a clear run of approximately the same length as the gate itself plus 10–20% extra for the motor and end stops. So a 4m gate needs roughly 4.5–5m of clear boundary alongside the entrance. A cantilever gate needs slightly more due to the counterbalance frame. Your installer will measure this precisely at survey stage.

  • Can a sliding gate work on a sloped driveway?

    Yes — a sliding gate runs horizontally regardless of the driveway slope, making it the preferred solution for sloped entrances. Swing gates can struggle on slopes because the arc of the swing conflicts with the ground plane. This is one of the most common reasons homeowners choose a sliding gate over a swing gate.

  • What is a cantilever sliding gate and when do I need one?

    A cantilever gate glides on a frame above the ground rather than running on a ground-level track. It's the right choice where the entrance surface is uneven, gravelled, ramped or where a ground track would create a trip hazard or obstruction. It's also used where the entrance surface can't be interrupted by a track — such as across a shared access way.

  • How long does a sliding gate take to open?

    Most residential sliding gates take 10–20 seconds to open fully depending on the gate width and motor speed. Commercial operators often specify faster motors. Your installer can advise on motor speed options at survey stage.

  • How much do electric sliding gates cost?

    A complete electric sliding gate installation including gate, motor and Level 1 automation starts from around £3,500 for smaller entrances. Mid-range installations with Level 2 automation run from £6,000 to £8,000 depending on gate width. See our full cost guide for a complete breakdown.

  • Do sliding gates work in a power cut?

    Yes — all systems include a battery backup that maintains operation during short power outages, and a manual release mechanism so the gate can be pushed open by hand if needed. Your installer will demonstrate the manual release at handover.