Hung, Sliding or Cantilever? Choosing a Composite Driveway Gate
How to pick the right gate style for your drive
A driveway gate is one of the first things anyone notices about a house, and it has to work every day for years. Composite gates, with wood-effect boards held in a welded steel frame, have become a popular choice because they give the warmth of timber without the swelling, rotting and staining. Before you choose the boards and colour, though, the most important decision is how the gate will open.
Three ways to open a driveway gate
Hung gates
Hung gates swing on hinges, either as a single leaf or a pair meeting in the middle. A pair suits most driveway openings, typically from about 2.4m to 4.5m wide, while a single gate works best on openings under roughly 3m. Above about 4.5m, the posts and hinges have to be specified carefully to carry the weight.
Sliding gates
A sliding gate runs along a track across the opening. It needs a clear, level run beside the opening at least as long as the gate itself, but it does not need any space to swing, which makes it ideal for short drives and sloping ground.
Cantilever gates
A cantilever gate also slides, but it is carried on rollers to one side so there is no track across the drive. It needs a longer clear run, usually around one and a half times the width of the opening.
A specialist in composite driveway gates will look at your opening, the slope of the drive and the space either side before recommending a style.
Check the slope and the piers
Most drives are not perfectly level. If the ground rises behind the opening, a swing gate may not clear it, so the gate either needs to be raked to follow the slope or swapped for a sliding design. Brick or stone piers also need checking: if they cannot take a secure fixing, new steel posts are concreted in instead.
Choosing boards and colours
Composite boards come smooth or with a wood grain, and in a range of colours:
- Anthracite grey: by far the most popular choice, and a good match for modern windows and doors
- Charcoal: for a deeper, near-black look
- Walnut and chocolate: warmer browns that suit brick houses
- Light ash and light oak: paler tones for a softer finish
The steel frame is powder coated separately, so it can contrast with or match the boards. Arched tops, screen toppers and finials can all be added.
Planning for automation
Even if you do not want an electric gate now, it is worth asking for the gate to be made automation-ready. That means ducting under the drive, stronger posts and the right fixings in place, so a motor can be added later without disturbing the drive.
Getting a quote
Gates are made to measure, so most companies start with photos and measurements of the opening, taken post to post at the top and bottom. In the North West, for example, a supplier of composite gates in Manchester can give a provisional price from those details before arranging a visit to confirm everything. As a rough guide, composite driveway gates typically start from around £1,800 and can reach £5,000 or more for wide or highly specified openings.
The right style makes a gate easier to live with every day. For more on fencing, gates and garden structures, see our landscaping category.
