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Sliding Gate Automation

Automated Sliding Gates in Brentwood

A motorised sliding gate that opens on demand, fits a compact driveway, and runs quietly every day.

  • Gate Safe Standards
  • DHF Safety Sensors
  • Up to 400 kg
  • Existing Gates Assessed
A modern luxury house featuring a large automated grey sliding gate, a paved driveway, and a meticulously landscaped garden.

What Goes Wrong

Where sliding gate installations fail, and how to avoid it

The most common problems come from skipping the assessment, not from the gate itself.

Wrong Motor Rating

Fitting a motor without checking gate weight means the drive unit is overloaded from day one, shortening its life and causing erratic movement.

Weight-Matched Motor

Gate weight is confirmed before any motor is specified, so the drive unit is correctly rated for the load it will carry every day.

Insufficient Run-Back

A gate ordered without measuring the available side space cannot open fully, leaving the entrance partially blocked and the motor straining against its travel limit.

Run-Back Survey First

Side run-back is measured on site before hardware is ordered, so the gate travel matches the space available at the entrance.

Poor Track Alignment

A track set on uneven or unprepared ground causes the gate to bind, drag, and generate noise that worsens over time as the rail shifts.

Ground-Level Prep

Ground condition is assessed and the track is set level before the gate is hung, so the system runs smoothly from the first cycle.

Unplanned Power Supply

Discovering there is no practical route for the power supply after installation begins adds cost and delay, and can mean a non-compliant temporary fix.

Wiring Scoped Upfront

Power supply proximity is checked at survey stage and wiring is scoped to 18th Edition requirements before any work is quoted or started.

Scope of Work

What the installation covers

From a single motor retrofit to a complete new gate and track system, the scope is confirmed at survey.

Existing Gate Automation

Manual steel or aluminium gate assessed and motorised.

New Gate & Motor Package

Gate, track, motor, and control panel fitted as one job.

Track & Rail Installation

Ground-level rail set and aligned to the driveway surface.

Photocells & Safety Sensors

Anti-collision sensors specified to DHF standards.

Remote & Control Panel

Handsets and panel programmed with correct travel limits.

Power Supply Installation

Wiring run and confirmed to 18th Edition requirements.

Space, Weight & Motion

How sliding gate automation is assessed and installed

A sliding gate needs the right run-back space and a correctly rated motor before anything else is ordered.

Suitability starts with four checks: gate weight, available side run-back, ground condition, and power supply proximity. Brentwood driveways are often set close to the road, making a sliding configuration practical where a swing arc would be obstructed. Older properties may have existing manual gates that can be assessed for motor retrofitting rather than full replacement.

Once suitability is confirmed, the installer fits the sliding gate motor, track and rail system, photocells, control panel, and remote handsets. Anti-collision safety features are included as standard. Steel and aluminium gate materials are both compatible, and gate alignment and track setting are completed before the system is cycled.

Daily operation is tested through a full open-and-close cycle, checking motor response, photocell clearance, and remote range. The control panel is programmed with the correct travel limits, and the power supply installation is confirmed to meet 18th Edition wiring requirements before handover.

Why Choose Us

Why use us for automated sliding gates in Brentwood?

We connect you with vetted local installers who survey the site, specify the right components, and quote the full job before any work begins.

Gate Safe Specified on Every Job

Every installation is specified to Gate Safe standards, so compliance is built in from the survey, not added at the end.

DHF-Standard Safety Components

Photocells and safety edges are specified to DHF standards on every job, not selected by price alone.

Full Scope Quoted Upfront

The quote covers gate, motor, track, wiring, and groundwork so there are no costs that appear after the job starts.

Local Installers, Surveyed Sites

We arrange vetted independent local partners who visit the entrance in person before specifying any hardware.

18th Edition Wiring Compliance

Power supply work is confirmed to 18th Edition wiring requirements before handover, not left to the customer to arrange separately.

Photograph
A modern grey video intercom system with a camera and button mounted on a red brick gate pillar next to a black metal gate, with lush green hedges in the background.

How It Works

From enquiry to a working gate in three steps

  1. 01

    Describe Your Entrance

    Tell us the gate width, available side space, slope, and power supply so we can match you with the right local installer.

  2. 02

    Book a Site Survey

    A vetted local installer visits the entrance, checks gate weight and run-back, and quotes the full scope including wiring and groundwork.

  3. 03

    Installation & Handover

    The motor, track, photocells, and control panel are fitted, aligned, and tested through a full cycle before the job is signed off.

Pricing Estimates

Typical Automated Sliding Gates Prices

JobTypical cost
Domestic sliding gate system£5000-£10000
Sliding gate with fitted automation£5000-£10000
Commercial sliding gate system£10000-£20000
These prices are estimates and often vary with the condition, size and scope of each job. Message or call us for a free, no-obligation quote.
See all prices

Common Questions

Questions about automated sliding gates

  • Can an existing manual gate be automated?

    Sometimes, yes. If the gate is in good condition, the right weight, and has enough side run-back, a motor can be retrofitted. If the gate sags, binds, or sits badly on its track, it may need repair or replacement first. The site survey confirms which applies.

  • How much does an automatic sliding gate cost?

    The installed price depends on gate size, material, motor rating, wiring route, and whether groundwork is needed for the track. A site survey is the only way to give an accurate figure, because each entrance is different.

  • What space does a sliding gate need?

    The gate needs side run-back equal to at least the gate width, plus clearance for the motor housing. Uneven or sloping ground can complicate the track installation. Both are checked at survey before any hardware is ordered.

  • Will the gate be noisy?

    Noise depends on the motor, the track condition, and how well the gate is aligned. A correctly specified motor and a level, well-set track run quietly. A poor fit or worn track is the main cause of noise, which is why alignment is checked before handover.

  • What happens if I delay getting the gate automated?

    A heavy or sticking manual gate puts daily strain on hinges and posts. Left long enough, the frame can shift or the gate can drop, making automation harder and more expensive. Catching it early usually means the existing gate can be kept rather than replaced.

  • Do sliding gate installations need to meet any safety standards?

    Yes. Installations are specified to Gate Safe and DHF standards, which cover anti-collision safety features, photocell placement, and force limits. These are not optional add-ons, they are part of every specification.

More questions about Automated Sliding Gates?

Tell Us About Your Entrance

Describe the gate width, slope, and power supply and we’ll arrange a local installer to survey and quote the full job.

Request a Survey