Driveway gates are the perfect finishing touch for your home’s exterior, offering improved privacy, security and curb appeal. The right driveway gates can even add value to your home, so your initial investment can really pay off.

However, to get the maximum value and enjoyment out of your driveway gates, they need to fit your home, your needs and your budget. Luckily, there are many different types of driveway gates, so you’re bound to find one that’s ideal for you. In this article, we’re going to look at the three main driveway gate mechanisms – swing driveway gates, sliding driveway gates and folding driveway gates – to help you narrow down your selection.

Swing driveway gates

Swing driveway gates or swinging driveway gates are the classic, traditional option. Nothing gives a better first impression of your home than the sight of double driveway gates swinging open to reveal your home and welcome your guests in style. But is this simple and elegant design the right choice for you? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons:

Pros

• Swinging driveway gates have a classic, aesthetically pleasing design that’ll suit the vast majority of properties.
• These gates are quick and easy to install since they contain fewer parts than other types of driveway gates.
• The lack of parts and simple installation mean that swing driveway gates are cheaper overall, with single swing gates being the cheapest option as they feature half as many parts as double driveway gates.
• Swing driveway gates require the least gate maintenance, thanks to their simple design.

Cons

• Swinging driveway gates need the most space because of their swinging radius, so they may not be the best choice if you have a short driveway or multiple vehicles. This problem is even worse with single driveway gates compared to double driveway gates, since a single gate panel requires twice as much space as two gate panels to open fully from the side.
• These driveway gates also aren’t suitable if your driveway is on a slope, as the gate panels won’t be able to swing open. A potential solution is to install driveway gates that open outwards, but this is only allowed if you won’t obstruct a road.
• Swinging gates are more affected by windy conditions and may become damaged. They could also cause a safety hazard if they suddenly slam shut in the wind. 

Sliding driveway gates

If traditional swinging gates won’t work for your property, sliding driveway gates should be a fantastic alternative. These space-saving gates either use tracks on the ground or a trackless cantilever system to slide to the side when opening, which means there’s no swinging radius to consider. With this in mind, here are the main pros and cons of this type of driveway gate:

Pros

• As mentioned above, sliding driveway gates don’t require as much space because they slide to the side instead of swinging open. You’ll need some space at the sides of the gate for the panels to slide into, but otherwise they’re a great option for smaller driveways.
• They can sometimes be more secure and harder to force open than swing driveway gates.
• Sliding driveway gates are more resistant to strong winds.

Cons

• Sliding driveway gates contain more parts (such as slide tracks and rollers) than swinging gates, which makes them harder to install.
• The larger number of parts and more complex installation make sliding driveway gates more expensive than traditional swinging gates.
• Another issue related to having more parts is that these gates require more maintenance than swing driveway gates. Plus, if your gates have a track along the ground, you’ll need to clean this regularly to prevent debris from building up and causing an obstruction.

Folding driveway gates

Finally, we have folding or bi-folding driveway gates. These gates have a double-hinged system that allows each gate panel to fold back onto itself when opening. This means that the gate panels are neatly tucked to the sides when the gates are open, which can save a lot of space. The advantages and disadvantages of bi-folding driveway gates are similar to sliding driveway gates, making these gate types very comparable choices, but let’s go into more detail below:

Pros

• Just like sliding driveway gates, folding driveway gates save space by tucking into the sides of the gate posts instead of swinging outwards or inwards. This makes them a great choice for shorter driveways.
• Folding driveway gates are also extra secure and hard to force open, so they’re ideal for those who are concerned about their home security.
• Bi-folding gates can open more quickly than swinging or sliding driveway gates – this is perfect for those who are always on the go.

Cons

• Again, just like sliding gates, folding driveway gates contain more moving parts, making them harder to install.
• The more complex installation for bi-folding gates makes them more expensive than traditional swing gates.
• Your folding gates will require more maintenance due to the greater number of parts, which increases the likelihood of potential faults. You’ll also need to clean the tracks if your folding driveway gate has them, but you can now opt for trackless folding gates if you want to save some time.

What to consider when choosing a driveway gate

Overall, swing driveway gates are a great choice for those with longer driveways who want a more traditional gate style, whereas sliding driveway gates and folding driveway gates are ideal for those who need to save some space. Still confused about what to pick? Here are the main things you need to consider when buying your first driveway gate to help you choose what to prioritise and narrow down your options.

1. Cost

The most important consideration for many people is the cost. This will include both the cost of the gate itself and the cost of professional gate installation, so remember to consider both when making your decision. 

The cost of your driveway gate will mainly depend on its size and the material, although your choice of opening mechanism will also matter. Larger gates and double driveway gates will naturally cost more, and you’ll find that different materials (e.g., aluminium, iron, steel, wood and composite driveway gates) affect the final cost. As mentioned previously, the opening mechanism of your gate will also have an impact, with swing gates being cheaper than both sliding driveway gates and folding driveway gates.

When it comes to choosing your gate’s opening mechanism, the cost of installation can vary a lot. Swing driveway gates are generally cheaper because you only need the gate panels, some posts and some hinges, whereas sliding gates and folding gates have a lot more additional parts (such as tracks and rollers). These extra parts make installation more complex and therefore more expensive.

2. Automation

Another factor that will greatly affect the cost is whether you choose manual driveway gates or automatic driveway gates. Swing gates, sliding gates and folding gates can all be made electric, which means they’ll open and close at the press of a button. This is much more convenient as you can open and close your driveway gates without having to get out of your car and move them manually.

Of course, automatic driveway gates are more expensive than manual ones, and they’ll take longer to install. The added convenience (and value to your property) may be worth it, but you’ll need to factor these extra costs into your budget.

3. Space

Perhaps the biggest difference between the three main types of driveway gates (apart from their appearance) is the amount of space they use. Sliding driveway gates and folding driveway gates are very similar because they slide or fold to the sides of the gate entrance, whereas swing driveway gates need more driveway space for their swing radius. Therefore, if you want to install swinging gates, you need to calculate how much free space you’ll need to operate your gate safely. 

If you have a shorter driveway, your best bet is to opt for sliding or folding driveway gates. You may be able to install swing gates that open outwards, but this is unlikely because they must not obstruct any roads or public paths. 

4. Safety

Don’t forget about safety when choosing new driveway gates. Someone could become trapped if they operate the gate incorrectly, or sudden winds could force a swing gate to slam shut unexpectedly.

Although any gate could become a hazard if used improperly, there are some different risks to consider depending on the type of gate you choose. Swinging gates are more susceptible to being moved or damaged by strong winds, and someone could be trapped as they swing open and closed. Automatic gates carry safety risks because they could trap people if they’re unaware the gate is closing, which is why these gates should be fitted with safety beam photocells and finger trap guards.

5. Maintenance

Certain driveway gates require more maintenance than others. Swing gates are usually pretty low maintenance because they have fewer parts, which makes faults less likely to occur. On the other hand, sliding driveway gates and bi-folding driveway gates have more moving parts that require more frequent maintenance. Plus, if these gates have tracks, these will have to be cleaned regularly to remove debris, as this can build up and cause obstructions. If you don’t have a lot of time for driveway cleaning and maintenance, it may be best to opt for a low-maintenance swing gate.

6. Security

Although all driveway gates will add extra security to your home, they can sometimes differ slightly. Some people argue that sliding gates and folding gates are more secure because they’re harder to force open when closed, but as long as you lock your swing gates securely, you should have adequate protection against intruders.

7. Aesthetics

The appearance of your driveway gates can make or break your home’s curb appeal and overall value. Swinging, folding and sliding gates should all be acceptable for your property as long as they’re installed properly, but you should think carefully about how the material you choose fits with your home’s aesthetic and the look of your neighbourhood as a whole. For more advice on picking the right driveway gate material, read our guide to choosing the right driveway gate for your property.

Looking for more driveway gate inspiration? Check out The Expert Gate Company blog for driveway maintenance tips, style ideas, purchasing guides and more, or get in touch today for advice on your upcoming driveway projects.