How each one works
A swing gate hangs on hinges and swings open like a door, either as one wide gate or as a pair that meets in the middle. A slide gate rolls sideways along the fence line, either on wheels and a track across the drive or cantilevered on rollers so nothing touches the driveway.
Room to swing vs. room to slide
This decides it more often than anything else.
A swing gate needs a clear arc. Each leaf sweeps out as far as it is wide, so a pair of 8-foot leaves needs about 8 feet of clear, fairly flat ground on the side it swings toward. If the driveway is short and the house or a parked car is right there, a swing gate can be a problem.
A slide gate needs room along the fence line instead. The gate has to roll somewhere when it opens, so you need a stretch of fence beside the opening at least as long as the gate, and more for a cantilever gate. Trees, a slope or a neighbor's line on that side can rule a slide gate out.
Slopes
A driveway that climbs up from the road is hard on swing gates. A gate swinging toward rising ground hits the dirt before it opens all the way. Sometimes we can swing the gates out toward the road instead, or adjust the hinges, but a slide gate often handles a slope better because it travels across the opening rather than into the hill.
Wind and long openings
A solid wood swing gate catches a lot of wind. On a windy day it pushes back against the opener and the hinges. Slide gates aren't bothered much by wind. For wide openings, roughly 16 feet and up, a slide gate is often the sturdier choice. A big pair of swing gates puts a lot of weight on the hinge posts, which have to be set deep and heavy.
Gate openers
Both styles take automatic openers. Swing gates use an arm-style opener on each leaf. Slide gates use one opener that drives the gate along a chain or gear rack. LiftMaster, All-O-Matic and US Automatic all make openers for both, and solar openers are an option where running power out to the gate is a hassle.
Slide gate openers tend to work hard but simply, and they don't care much about wind. Swing gate openers are a little more sensitive to sag, wind and the gate's weight. Either way, the gate needs to move freely by hand before an opener goes on. See our gate opener page for the brands we install.
Looks
A pair of swing gates opening in the middle has a classic, grand entry look, especially in iron. A slide gate usually reads simpler and more ranch-style. We build both in wood, iron or wood with an iron frame, and we match the gate to the fence.
Our quick rule of thumb
- Flat driveway, plenty of room behind the gate: a swing gate works great.
- Driveway slopes up from the road, short setback, or a very wide opening: look hard at a slide gate.
- No room along the fence line on either side: swing gate.
- Windy, open property with a solid wood gate: a slide gate will be less trouble.
When we come out, we'll measure the opening, check the slope and look at both sides before we recommend anything. More on our custom gates.
Common questions
Is a swing gate or slide gate better for a sloped driveway?
A slide gate usually handles a slope better because it travels across the opening instead of swinging into rising ground. Swing gates can sometimes work on a slope if they open toward the downhill side.
How much room does a slide gate need?
A stretch of fence line beside the opening at least as long as the gate itself, and more for a cantilever slide gate.
Can you put an automatic opener on either kind of gate?
Yes. Swing gates use an arm opener on each leaf, and slide gates use one opener that drives the gate along a chain or rack. Solar openers are available for both.