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Trackless Sliding Gates

Cantilever Gate Systems in Brentwood

A gate that stays clear of the ground, moves on uneven surfaces, and never jams on debris or frost.

  • Gate Safe Standards
  • DHF Safety Spec
  • No Ground Track
Modern automatic sliding gate with wood-effect panels and black frame, flanked by brick pillars on a paved driveway.

Common Pitfalls

Where standard sliding gates fail, and what a cantilever system does instead

Track Fills with Debris

A ground rail collects grit, leaves, and ice, causing the gate to bind or stop mid-travel.

No Rail to Block

Cantilever rollers on fixed posts keep the gate clear of the ground surface entirely.

Sloped Ground Misfit

A tracked slider needs a level surface; a sloping driveway forces costly groundwork just to lay the rail.

Clearance by Design

The gate travels above the slope on rollers, so the driveway surface does not need to be levelled first.

Clay Soil Movement

Essex clay shifts seasonally, lifting or twisting a ground rail until the gate no longer runs true.

Post-Mounted Stability

Support post footings are scoped for clay conditions, keeping the roller line fixed regardless of ground movement.

Undersized Side Space

Installing a cantilever gate without checking run-back leaves the counterbalance beam blocking a path or wall.

Site Survey First

Opening width and available side run-back are measured before any gate type or size is specified.

Trackless, Stable & Clear

How a cantilever gate works and whether your site suits one

A cantilever gate moves without touching the ground, which solves problems that a standard tracked slider cannot.

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The gate frame is suspended on cantilever rollers fixed to a support post and a receiving post. A counterbalance beam extends behind the opening to balance the leaf in motion, typically adding 30 to 50 percent to the gate’s total length. There is no ground track, so the surface beneath the gate can be tarmac, gravel, or uneven ground without affecting operation.

Site suitability depends on two measurements: the clear opening width and the available side run-back for the counterbalance beam. Clay-heavy ground common around Brentwood can shift seasonally, which makes a trackless system more stable than a rail-mounted alternative. Footings and ground anchors for the support posts are scoped to suit the ground conditions found on site.

Cantilever systems cost more than tracked sliders because of the additional steelwork and post foundations required. That cost is offset where a ground track would need regular clearing, repair, or replacement. Electric gate automation can be added to a cantilever frame using a standard sliding gate motor and control panel, with photocells and safety sensors included in the specification.

Scope of Work

What a cantilever gate installation covers

From the gate frame and post foundations to automation and safety sensors, here is what is included.

Side Run-Back Assessment

Checks available space for the counterbalance beam.

Opening Width Survey

Confirms the clear span before gate sizing.

Ground Level Check

Identifies slope or surface issues before installation.

Automation Wiring

18th Edition armoured supply to the motor position.

Why Choose Us

Why choose our partners for cantilever gate installation in Brentwood?

Gate type selection, site assessment, and safety compliance are where the job is won or lost, here is how we handle each.

Gate Safe Specified on Every Job

Every installation is specified to Gate Safe standards, covering force limits, entrapment zones, and safe operation.

DHF Safety Edges & Photocells

Safety edges and photocells are included to DHF standards as a default, not an optional add-on.

Clay Soil Foundations Scoped on Site

Post footings are designed for the ground conditions found, not a generic depth that may not hold in Essex clay.

Type Recommended After Survey

Swing, sliding, and cantilever options are assessed on site before a gate type is recommended or quoted.

Full Quote Before Work Starts

Groundwork, steelwork, automation, and wiring are all itemised in the quote so there are no surprises on the day.

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.

The Process

From first enquiry to a working gate

Request a Survey

  1. 01

    Describe Your Entrance

    Tell us the opening width, driveway slope, and power supply so we can arrange the right local installer for your site.

  2. 02

    Survey & Quote

    A local installer visits to measure the opening, check side run-back, and assess ground conditions before quoting.

  3. 03

    Install & Commission

    Posts, frame, rollers, and automation are fitted and tested to Gate Safe and DHF standards before handover.

Pricing Estimates

Typical Cantilever Gate Systems Prices

JobTypical cost
Domestic cantilever gate system£4500-£8500
Heavy-duty cantilever gate system£6500-£14000
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

Cantilever gate questions answered

  • What is a cantilever gate system?

    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.

  • How much side space does a cantilever gate need?

    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.

  • Are cantilever gates more expensive than tracked sliding gates?

    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.

  • What happens if I install a tracked gate on an uneven driveway?

    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.

  • Can a cantilever gate be automated?

    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.

  • How do I know if a cantilever gate suits my driveway?

    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.

More questions about Cantilever Gate Systems?

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