How Do Automated Swing Gates Work?
Swing gates are hinged at the posts and open like a pair of doors. Automating them means fitting motors that open and close each leaf for you, typically with a remote control. Our guide on how electric gates are powered explains the basics of the motors and power supply.
Because swing gates need clear room to open, they suit driveways with enough depth behind the gates for each leaf to swing without catching a car, a slope or a flower bed. Where room is tight, a sliding gate can be the better choice. You can read more about the options on our swing gates and electric gates pages.
Why Match the Pedestrian Gate to the Driveway Gates?
When a pedestrian gate is built to the same design as the driveway gates, the entrance reads as one set rather than separate pieces. On this job, both gates share the same spindles, rails and timber colour, so the smaller gate looks like part of the whole.
It’s a detail worth deciding at the design stage. Every property is different, and we design each set of gates to suit the house and the driveway, so the style, height and layout can be agreed before anything is made. You can see more of our timber work on our wooden gates page, and more hand-operated designs on our manual gates page.
Do You Need Planning Permission for Driveway Gates?
Sometimes. According to the Planning Portal, you can usually put up a gate without planning permission if it’s no more than 1 metre high next to a road used by vehicles or its footpath, or no more than 2 metres high elsewhere. Listed buildings, and properties where permitted development rights have been removed, have their own rules.
Our blog on planning permission for driveway gates goes into more detail, and we’re happy to talk it through when you’re planning your gates.
How Do You Look After Wooden Gates?
Wooden gates last longest when they’re kept clean, kept sealed and checked regularly. As our blog on how long wooden gates last explains, moisture is the main thing to manage in the UK’s damp climate, and a well-sealed gate that’s stained or painted regularly will last much longer than one left untreated.
Our guide on how to maintain wooden gates covers what to look for, including cracks, splits, a peeling finish and any change in how the automation runs. We offer service and maintenance for the gates we fit, and repairs if anything does go wrong.
The Result
This North Chailey driveway now has automated wooden swing gates for vehicles and a matching manual gate for people on foot, all built to one design. It brings security, style and convenience to the entrance, with an easy way in by car or on foot.
We’ve worked in the village before, including these automated hardwood gates and these softwood 5 bar gates. If you’re thinking about wooden driveway gates in North Chailey or anywhere across East Sussex, with or without a matching pedestrian gate, we’d be happy to have a chat. Call us on 07355 032498, email info@sussexgateservices.co.uk, or fill out our contact form.
Latest From Our Clients
Paul automated our five-bar drive gate in November 2019. Competitive quote, hassle-free job and popped back to adjust after a few weeks.
Highly recommended!!
We can’t praise Sussex Gate Services highly enough. They have done several jobs for us including repairing our automated gate system, roller shutter garage door and drive lights. Their work is of high standard, they are efficient and reliable. We are certainly glad we found them and would recommend them to anyone.
Manual Gates in Rotherfield
At a property in Rotherfield, we installed softwood bell top-style manual vehicle and pedestrian gates, creating a secure and traditional entrance in keeping with the character of the home. Both gates were operated manually, offering straightforward access without the need…
