Sliding
Runs on wheels along a rail. Needs wall space beside the opening.
Updated 18 Oct 2026
Sliding vs swing gate: which one fits your driveway?
A swing gate needs free space in your yard to open; a sliding gate needs straight wall beside the opening, about as long as the gate. On a sloping driveway, a sliding gate on a level rail is often easier. See our steel gate designs for styles.
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Three ways a gate opens
Swing
One or two leaves on hinges. Needs free ground inside the yard.
Folding
Leaves fold to the side. Takes the least space.
Side by side
| Sliding | Swing | |
|---|---|---|
| Space needed | Wall beside the opening, about the gate’s length | Free arc inside the yard, as wide as each leaf |
| Sloping driveway | Rail is laid level | Leaves can scrape an upward slope |
| Parts to look after | Wheels and rail — keep free of sand and stones | Hinges |
| Best for | Wide openings, short yards | Short walls, flat ground |
Practical guide from our site visits; your site decides.
Measure before you choose
Your widest vehicle
Measure your widest vehicle with mirrors folded, then add room to open the doors.
Clear opening
Measure between the pillars at the ground and at the top; pillars are often not straight.
Slope and drainage
Note where rain runs. A rail in a water channel fills with sand.
Rules and rust in southwest Cebu
The National Building Code says doors, windows “and the like” less than 2.40 m above the pavement must not project beyond the property line when opened (PD 1096 IRR, Sec. 1007; full text). In practice: a swing gate on the street opens into your yard, never over the road. A fence up to 1.80 m needs an accessory permit; taller fences need a building permit (Sec. 301).
Near the sea, steel rusts faster. ISO 9223 puts sites within one kilometre of the ocean in corrosion class C4 and those within a few hundred metres in C5 (HDGASA, based on ISO 9223). For coastal towns like Moalboal, Badian or Alcantara ask for a primer and top coat, or galvanized steel.
What drives the price of a gate — steel, design, paint, labour and travel — is explained in how welding jobs are priced. Matching grills? See window grill price.
We make sliding, swing and folding gates to your opening and install them on site. Get a free gate quote — we come to measure in Ronda and southwest Cebu.
Questions
Which is better, a sliding or a swing gate?
Sliding if you have straight wall beside the opening or a sloping driveway; swing if the wall is short and the ground inside is flat and free.
Can a swing gate open towards the street?
No. The National Building Code (Sec. 1007) does not allow doors and gates under 2.40 m to project beyond the property line when opened.
How wide should a car gate be?
Wider than your widest vehicle: measure it with mirrors folded, then add room to open the doors.
Does a sliding gate work on a slope?
Yes — the rail is laid level, so the gate does not climb or scrape.
Can you change my swing gate to a sliding one?
Often, yes. Send a photo and the size of the opening for a free quote.
