Cantilever Gate Systems Questions

It is a sliding gate that moves without a ground track. The gate is supported from one side on rollers fixed to posts, and a counterbalance beam keeps it balanced while it travels. The gate stays clear of the ground throughout its full travel.

The gate needs to be longer than the opening, typically 30 to 50 percent longer, to accommodate the counterbalance beam. A 3-metre opening usually needs around 4.5 metres of total gate length, so the side run-back must be checked before any gate is specified.

Yes, generally. The additional steelwork in the frame and the heavier post foundations add to the cost. Where a ground track would require regular clearing or repair, on a gravel driveway or sloping surface, the cantilever option often works out cheaper over time.

The rail will need levelling groundwork first, and seasonal ground movement can shift it out of alignment over time. A gate that runs on a twisted or lifted rail will bind, wear its drive components faster, and may stop working altogether.

Yes. A standard sliding gate motor and control panel attach to the cantilever frame. Photocells and safety edges are included in the specification to meet DHF standards, and the wiring is run to 18th Edition requirements.

A site survey checks three things: the clear opening width, the available side run-back for the counterbalance beam, and the ground conditions for the post footings. Those three measurements determine whether a cantilever system is the right fit.