Short answer
Choose by the driveway, not the catalog. A swing gate needs clear, fairly level ground for its leaves to travel through. A sliding gate needs straight run-back space beside the opening, along the fence. On short setbacks and sloped driveways, a slider is often the only gate that fits; on a deep, level driveway either one works. Slat width and gap set privacy and wind load, and the posts, track and operator are chosen together with the gate.
In this guide
Start with the driveway
Three measurements settle most of this decision before style comes into it:
- Setback. How far the gate sits from the sidewalk, and from where the car stops.
- Slope. Whether the driveway climbs or drops behind the gate line.
- Side room. How much straight, clear space runs beside the opening, along the fence.
A swing gate needs the first two. A sliding gate needs the third.
Swing gates
A swing gate opens on hinges, in one leaf or two. It needs a clear arc on the side it opens to. On a driveway that rises behind the gate, the leaves hit the slope before they open fully, so swing gates suit level driveways with enough depth for a car to wait clear of the arc.
Swing gates put a lot of weight on their hinge posts. A wide leaf in solid slats acts like a sail in wind, so the posts and footings are sized for the gate, not reused from an old fence.
Sliding gates
A sliding gate rolls sideways along the fence line. It needs straight run-back space next to the opening, at least as long as the gate. It does not care much about slope behind the gate, which is why it often wins on steep or short driveways in the hills.
There are two common kinds. A track gate rolls on a rail set in the driveway; the rail has to stay clean and level. A cantilever gate hangs from rollers on posts beside the opening and does not touch the ground across the driveway, so it needs more run-back space and a heavier frame.
Slat width, gap and privacy
Horizontal metal slats are what make these gates look modern. The slat width and the gap between slats decide two things at once: how much of the yard you see from the street, and how much wind the gate catches. A tight gap is more private and heavier in wind. A wider gap is lighter and more open. Carry the same slat and gap across the gate, the walk gate and the fence, and the frontage reads as one piece. Our modern metal slat gate project shows a slider built this way.
Aluminum or steel
Aluminum slats are light and do not rust, which suits a long sliding gate. Steel is stronger and heavier, and needs a good coating to keep rust out, especially at cut ends and welds. Many gates use a steel frame with aluminum slats.
Automation is part of the gate
If the gate will be powered, the operator is chosen with the gate: weight, length, swing or slide, how many times a day it opens, and the safety devices it needs. Power and conduit are planned before the driveway is finished. Our guides on automatic gates and gate maintenance go deeper.
When you are ready, see what we build for fences and gates.
From our own jobs
Real job photos. We do not show where each one was taken.
See the whole job: Modern metal slat gate and fenceKey takeaways
- Setback, slope and side room decide between sliding and swing before style does.
- Swing gates need a clear, fairly level arc; sliders need straight run-back space along the fence.
- Cantilever sliders keep the driveway clear of a track but need more run-back and a heavier frame.
- Slat width and gap set both privacy and wind load; a tight gap catches more wind.
- Operators, power and safety devices are chosen with the gate, not added after it.
Questions people ask
Which is better on a sloped driveway, sliding or swing?
Usually sliding. A swing gate on a driveway that climbs behind it hits the slope before it opens fully. A slider moves along the fence line and does not care much about the slope behind it.
What is a cantilever gate?
A sliding gate that hangs from rollers on posts beside the opening instead of rolling on a track in the driveway. Nothing crosses the driveway, but it needs more space beside the opening and a stiffer frame.
Can a slat gate be fully private?
Close to it. A tight gap between slats blocks most views, but it also makes the gate catch more wind, so the posts and hardware are sized for that.
