Cantilever Gates vs Swing Gates: What’s the Difference?

When you’re looking at installing a new gate, two main types come up: swing gates and cantilever gates (also called slide gates or rolling gates).

Swing gates work like a door – they’re attached to a post with hinges and swing open and closed. Cantilever gates, on the other hand, work more like a pocket door in your house – they slide along the fence line without touching the ground. But there’s more to consider when choosing between these two gate types, from the space you have available to your budget to how you’ll use the gate.

Primary Structural Differences

The biggest difference between swing gates and cantilever gates comes down to their basic design and how they operate. A swing gate has one gate post with hinges, kind of like a door on your house. These hinges can be either bolted onto the post or welded, depending on how heavy the gate is. Sometimes the hinges even have ball bearings inside to handle heavier gates.

A basic cantilever gate system works differently – it needs two posts instead of one. You’ve got a front post and a back post (what we call the counterbalance post), and the gate rolls on four rollers, with two rollers on each post – one at the top and one at the bottom.

Here’s something interesting about sizing: with a swing gate, the gate leaf (that’s what we call the actual gate part) is basically the same size as your opening. So if you need a 10-foot opening, you’ll have a 10-foot gate. But with a cantilever gate, you need 50% more length for the counterbalance. For a 10-foot opening, your gate leaf would actually be about 16 feet long – that’s 10 feet for the opening, 5 feet for the counterbalance, and usually another foot or so for sliding room.

Cost Differences Between Swing and Cantilever Gate Types

Let’s talk money – cantilever gates usually cost about 50% more than swing gates, and there’s a good reason for that. Here’s a straightforward breakdown:

Say you want a 15-foot opening. With a swing gate, you’re paying for:

  • A 15-foot gate leaf
  • Two hinges (around $50 total)
  • One hinge post

But with a cantilever gate, you need:

  • A gate leaf that’s about 22 feet long (more materials)
  • Four heavy-duty rollers (over $100 each)
  • Two posts instead of one
  • More installation time

When to Choose a Slide Gate or a Swing Gate

Cantilever gates work well when you’ve got a large opening to cover. Let’s say you need a 25-foot opening – that’s a lot of weight to hang on just two hinges with a swing gate. Not only would it be hard to open and close, but you might end up with gate sag, or those hinges could fail. You’d need incredibly heavy-duty (and expensive) hinges to handle that much force hanging out there.

Cantilever gates are also perfect when you don’t have room to swing. Think about it like this – if you’ve got a 30-foot swing gate, you need 30 feet of clear space for it to swing open. If there’s a guard shack, tree, public road, building, or anything else in the way, a swing gate just won’t work. That’s where a cantilever gate comes in handy – it slides along the fence line, just like a pocket door in your house.

For most homes though, swing gates make more sense. Most residential properties only need a 10-foot gate at most, so they can drive a car into the backyard or maybe park a camper. A 10-foot double swing gate means each gate leaf is only 5 feet – pretty manageable for most people to open and close, and doesn’t require specialty or expensive hardware.

Installing and Maintaining Your Fence Gate System

Installation Considerations

Proper installation makes all the difference in how your gate performs. We do a lot of repairs, removal, and replacement of gates that are hinged to a wood post, which is a bad idea. Even if you start with a perfectly straight wood post, your gate will sag and warp as it dries out.

We almost exclusively use a type of steel post, and the size of that post will depend on how heavy and big the gate is.” For really heavy gates, we’ll even fill the post with concrete or concrete and rebar.

 

Gate Types and Maintenance Requirements for Your Type of Gate

Both cantilever gates and swing gates need regular maintenance to keep working smoothly. First, it’s important to ensure nothing has hit the gate. Vehicle and lawn equipment are common offenders. Here’s what we look for:

For cantilever slide gate:

  • Four rollers need checking
  • Posts must stay properly aligned
  • Counterbalance needs to stay level
  • Roller protectors should be intact

For swing gates:

  • Hinges need periodic tightening
  • Gate frame alignment check
  • Latch mechanism inspection

“If they’re installed correctly,” Thrive Fencing owner, Micah notes, “just do routine checks on them to ensure all the bolts and the nuts are tightened.”

Precision Installation Matters

A recent commercial property project shows why proper measurements and installation are important for sliding and cantilever gates. We installed a sleek aluminum gate across the driveway of a manufacturing facility where space was limited. The cantilever slide gate needed precise measurements for the mounting posts to ensure seamless operation.

“Getting the math right is critical,” Micah explains. “For this type of sliding gate, we carefully calculated the exact distance needed between posts. The property’s security system required the gate to align perfectly with the perimeter fence. Our team double-checked all measurements before installation to ensure the cantilever rollers would provide smooth operation without any contact with the ground.”

The result? A perfectly balanced gate that slides open effortlessly offers security and convenience with minimal wear and tear and less upkeep required over time. This attention to detail is why our gates operate smoothly for years.

How Weather Affects Different Gate Types

Both cantilever and swing gates can handle Iowa weather, but there are some things to consider. As Micah explains, “Either one could be susceptible to wind and snow. So both should be fine as long as you don’t have a big outside force hitting them. Maybe a cantilever gate, which has connection points in four places with four rollers, might be a little stronger than a swing gate.” But he’s quick to add that a properly latched swing gate should hold up just fine, too.

Choosing the Right Gate for Your Property

Consider Your Space

Your available space often determines which gate type works best. Remember that pocket door comparison? A cantilever gate slides along your fence line, while a swing gate needs room to swing open. As one of our recent residential projects shows – we installed a cantilever gate because the homeowner had a pergola on one side and a narrow alley on the other. A swing gate wouldn’t work there.

Think About Size

For residential properties, Micah recommends:

  • Swing gates for openings up to 12 feet
  • Cantilever gates for larger openings
  • Double swing gates when you want to split the weight

Automating Your Driveway Gate

Whether you choose a swing gate or a cantilever gate, automation can make your gate’s operation smooth and convenient. Each type of gate offers different automation options that don’t require you to leave your vehicle.

“For a business, they may want to have it where they can control access,” Micah explains. “Someone in the back office can talk to the customer through an intercom or video and see who’s out there and then open it remotely.”

For your home’s main entrance, both sliding gates and swing gates can work with:

  • Phone-based controls for easy operation
  • Pin pad access for family members or approved vendors
  • Video intercom systems for guest screening
  • Remote control options, just like your garage door

One key difference to consider: swing gates need clearance to open, so you’ll want signage reminding visitors to “give at least 15 feet clearance” from the gate. Sliding cantilever gates, on the other hand, offer a sleek solution that’s ideal for properties where space is tight.

Each gate operator type is also available with various security features, making them ideal for both residential driveways and commercial properties. “In a residence scenario,” Micah notes, “it’s a convenience thing where they drive up, typically to a private drive. They can operate with their phone, a pin pad, or a button.”

Interested in a gate? Contact us.

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