Wooden sliding gate with or without track?
Sliding gates have a lot of advantages. Ascending driveway, wide opening or short distance between the gate and the garage, for example - it all doesn't matter if you go for a quality sliding gate. And that is a nice extra. The only choice to make is whether you’ll have a cantilever gate or a track gate. Let’s have a look at the differences.
Cantilever sliding gate in wood
Installing a cantilever sliding gate is relatively easy as no track needs to be provided. So, the gate has no impact on the rest of your driveway. Quite convenient if your driveway was laid fairly recently and you don't feel like breaking it up again. Do you have a sloping driveway? Even then, a cantilever sliding gate is extremely suitable.
However, keep in mind that a cantilever sliding gate needs enough space to slide to the left or right. The gate is also equipped with guide posts that serve as a counterbalance. For a cantilever sliding gate, therefore, provide the width of the gate plus the space of the lower beam that has to slide with it. The maximum opening of a cantilever sliding gate is 4 metres and depends on the model and height of the gate.
Wooden sliding gate on a track
Because the gate is anchored in the track, a track sliding gate is more stable and less subject to wind than a cantilever sliding gate. Thanks to the track, the sliding gate is suitable for intensive use and can cover greater distances than a cantilever sliding gate. Although the track is integrated into the driveway, the top remains visible and tangible when you ride your bike over it.
Then again, the guide posts referred to in the cantilever sliding gate are not needed here. For a sliding gate to open or close optimally, the rail track should be 100% level. The track should also be cleared regularly. Leaves, snow or other debris should not block the sliding gate. In addition, enough space must be provided for the run-back of the gate. Consider the width of the gate supplemented by an extra 40 cm.
