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Trackless Sliding Gates

Cantilever Gate Systems in Rayleigh

A gate that clears the ground completely, runs smoothly on any surface, and needs no track to maintain.

  • Local Survey Arranged
  • DHF & Gate Safe
  • Groundwork Included
  • Uneven Ground Suitable
A modern black wooden sliding gate with a black metal frame next to a dark brick wall and concrete driveway.

What Goes Wrong

Why the wrong setup fails, and what a correctly sized cantilever avoids

Undersized Gate Leaf

A gate leaf cut to match the opening exactly has no counterbalance tail, so the system droops and binds within months.

50% Run-Back Rule

The gate leaf is sized to extend 50% beyond the clear opening, confirmed at survey, so the tail carries its share of the load.

Shallow Post Footings

Essex clay shifts seasonally; posts set in shallow concrete lean over time, pulling roller assemblies out of alignment.

Depth-Checked Footings

Footing depth is specified at survey to suit the clay subsoil, keeping posts plumb through seasonal ground movement.

Roller Alignment Skipped

Rollers set without a final alignment check cause the gate to run unevenly, wearing the frame and stressing the motor.

Aligned at Commissioning

Roller alignment is checked and adjusted at commissioning, so the gate travels straight and the operator runs within its rated load.

Side Space Overlooked

Ordering a gate before measuring available run-back space means the leaf cannot retract fully, blocking part of the entrance.

Run-Back Measured First

The survey measures side run-back before anything is specified, so the gate retracts clear of the opening every time.

Scope of Work

What a cantilever gate installation covers

From the gate leaf and roller gear to the footings and automated operator, every element is quoted as one job.

Manual or Automated Setup

Cantilever leaf supplied with or without a motor.

Opening Width Check

Entrance measured before any gate is specified.

Roller Assembly Replacement

Worn rollers replaced on existing cantilever frames.

Sloping Driveway Survey

Site assessed where ground level changes across the opening.

Cantilever Gate Mechanics

How a cantilever gate works and when it is the right choice

Where the ground is uneven, sloping, or subject to seasonal movement, a cantilever system avoids the problems a ground track creates.

Request a Survey

A cantilever gate hangs from roller assemblies mounted on support posts, with a counterbalance tail extending behind the post line. The gate leaf must be longer than the clear opening, typically by 50%, so the tail provides the counterbalance that keeps the system stable. That sizing rule is confirmed at survey stage, along with the side run-back space available and the footing depth needed for the support posts.

Essex clay soils shift seasonally, which can cause a ground track to move and bind a tracked gate over time. A cantilever system avoids that problem entirely because nothing touches the ground during operation. Rayleigh driveways with sloping or uneven surfaces are a common application, and the survey establishes whether the available side space and post positions make a cantilever the practical choice.

The main objection to cantilever systems is cost, roller assemblies and a longer gate leaf do add to the price compared with a basic tracked gate. The survey will confirm whether the site conditions justify the difference. Where a ground track is genuinely impractical, a cantilever is not a premium option; it is the only option that will work reliably long-term.

Why Choose Us

Why Rayleigh Electric Gates for cantilever gate installation?

Suitability assessment, correct specification, and a single quote covering every part of the job, that is what we arrange.

Site Survey Before Any Specification

A survey visit measures run-back, checks ground conditions, and confirms footing depth before anything is ordered.

One Quote, Full Scope

Groundwork, gate supply, operator fitting, and 18th Edition wiring are quoted together, no separate trades to coordinate.

DHF & Gate Safe Compliance

Safety edges and photocells are specified to DHF and Gate Safe standards on every automated installation.

Surveyed & Scoped Locally

We schedule a survey with knowledge of Essex ground conditions and local driveway layouts.

Honest Suitability Advice

If the side run-back or ground conditions make a cantilever impractical, the survey will say so before any cost is committed.

A large, newly installed wooden gate with arched top panels, set between stone pillars with integrated lighting and an intercom system, leading to a resin-bound aggregate driveway.
Modern light green automatic driveway gate between brick pillars with block paving.

The Process

From first enquiry to a working gate

Request a Survey

  1. 01

    Describe Your Entrance

    Tell us the opening width, available side space, and ground conditions so we can schedule the right survey for your site.

  2. 02

    Survey & Quote

    The survey visit measures run-back and footing depth, and returns a single quote covering gate, groundwork, and wiring.

  3. 03

    Install & Commission

    Posts are set, the gate leaf is hung and balanced, roller alignment is checked, and the operator is tested before handover.

Pricing Estimates

Typical Cantilever Gate Systems Prices

JobTypical cost
Domestic cantilever gate£4500-£8500
Heavy-duty cantilever gate£6500-£14000
Commercial cantilever system£10000-£20000
Custom cantilever installation£12000-£25000
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 plainly

  • How much side space does a cantilever gate need?

    The gate leaf must extend roughly 50% beyond the clear opening to act as a counterbalance. For a 3-metre opening, you need around 4.5 metres of total gate length, so approximately 1.5 metres of run-back behind the post line. The survey measures this before anything is specified.

  • Can a cantilever gate work on a sloping driveway?

    Yes. Because the gate clears the ground entirely, a slope across the opening does not cause the binding or dragging that a ground track would. The survey checks that the slope does not affect post positioning or roller height.

  • What happens if I delay fixing a gate that is drooping or binding?

    A gate running out of alignment puts continuous strain on the roller assemblies and the motor. Left unaddressed, rollers wear unevenly, the frame distorts, and the operator can fail entirely, turning a straightforward adjustment into a full component replacement.

  • Are cantilever gates more expensive than tracked sliding gates?

    Generally yes. Roller assemblies, a longer gate leaf, and deeper post footings add to the cost. Where the ground is sloping, uneven, or subject to seasonal movement, that cost difference is justified by the reliability a trackless system delivers over time.

  • Do automated cantilever gates need to meet any safety standards?

    Yes. Automated gates are machinery under the Machinery Directive. Safety edges and photocells must be fitted and specified to DHF and Gate Safe standards. The installer confirms compliance at commissioning and provides the relevant documentation.

  • How long does a cantilever gate installation take?

    Most residential installations take one to two days once the survey is complete and materials are on order. Groundwork for post footings needs time to cure before the gate is hung, so the programme is confirmed at survey stage.

More questions about Cantilever Gate Systems?

Tell Us About Your Entrance

Describe the width, slope, and available side space. We schedule a survey, specification, and quote for the full job.

Request a Survey