Aluminum Sliding Driveway Gates —
Built for Sites Where Swing Clearance Is a Challenge
Cantilever sliding gates deliver reliable, low-maintenance access control where the grade, layout, or clearance conditions make a swing gate difficult. Fully custom aluminum, LiftMaster or Nice automation, supply only or fully installed.Â
What Is a Cantilever Sliding Gate?
A cantilever sliding gate moves horizontally, supported by rollers mounted to posts on either side of the opening. Unlike a track-style slide gate, a cantilever gate does not rely on a ground channel — which means no track to fill with ice, snow, gravel, or debris.Â
For Ontario properties, this matters. A cantilever sliding gate works year-round without the seasonal maintenance headaches that come with ground track systems. It is the slide gate configuration we recommend in almost every case.Â
When a Sliding Gate Is the Right Choice
A sliding gate is the better option when:
- Swing clearance is limited — a vehicle or structure sits too close to the gate opening for the arc to clearÂ
- The driveway slopes upward immediately past the opening, which would cause a swing gate to contact the gradeÂ
- The site has a tight approach where a gate swinging toward incoming vehicles creates a safety concernÂ
- The property has a long fence run that provides space to rack the gate panel when openÂ
Sliding Gate Configurations
Cantilever Sliding
Track Sliding
Ground track required
No — roller-supported cantilever
Yes — channel set in driveway surface
Winter performance
Excellent — no track to ice or blockÂ
Not recommended — Track must remain clear, and snow plows may displace the track. Recommended only for climates without snowfall.
Gravel / dirt driveways
Well suited
Not recommended
Maintenance
Roller inspection — annual
Track clearing and alignment — ongoingÂ
Typical width range
Up to 40 ftÂ
Up to 30 ft
Our recommendation
✓ Standard recommendationÂ
Available on request onlyÂ
How Sliding Gate Wiring Works
Sliding gates have a different wiring setup than swing gates. Because the operator is mounted at ground level beside the gate panel — not inside a post — the electrical conduit runs from your power source to the operator location along the fence line or underground.Â
We provide complete pre-construction documentation with every sliding gate quote: conduit routing plan, power requirements, post placement drawings, and operator mounting specs. This gives your electrician and contractor a clear picture before anyone arrives on site.Â
Operator mounted at the leading post, at ground level beside the gate
Conduit routed underground from power source to operator location
Pre-construction drawings included with every quote
We specify the conduit size, depth, and routing path for your electrician
AES intercom and keypad conduit requirements also included in pre-construction package
The SystemPost™ pre-wired post system is available on swing gate packages only. Sliding gate wiring follows a different path — from the power source directly to the operator at grade. We document this clearly so your electrical contractor has everything they need.
HOW IT WORKS
Our Sliding Gate Process
Opening width, fence line length behind the gate (rack space), driveway surface, power availability, and site photos from both the approach and inside the property.
We review your rack space, post layout, operator selection, conduit routing, and whether any ground prep is needed. We flag anything that needs to be addressed before installation.
Your custom aluminum sliding gate panel is fabricated to your exact specification, along with all required hardware, posts, and roller components.
Supply-only shipped anywhere in Ontario and the US, or full supply and install in our Ontario service area. Pre-construction drawings ship with every order so your team is ready on day one.
Sliding Gate Automation Options
System Fencing is authorized to supply and install LiftMaster and Nice (Nortek) sliding gate operators. Both integrate with AES intercom and keypad systems.Â
LiftMaster SL595
LiftMaster SL585
Nice / Nortek
Best for
Residential & light commercial
High-cycle commercial
Estate and premium residentialÂ
Gate weight
Up to 500 lbÂ
Up to 800 lb
Confirm by gate spec
Solar option
NoÂ
No
Selected models — confirmÂ
Access options
Remote, keypad, myQ appÂ
Remote, keypad, myQ appÂ
Remote, keypad, GSMÂ
Warranty
2 yr manufacturer
2 yr manufacturer
2 yr manufacturer
LiftMaster SL595
LiftMaster SL585
Nice / Nortek
Best for
LiftMaster SL595: Â Residential & light commercial
LiftMaster SL585: High-cycle commercial
Nice / Nortek: Estate and premium residentialÂ
Gate weight
LiftMaster SL595: Up to 500 lbÂ
LiftMaster SL585: Up to 800 lb
Nice / Nortek:Â Confirm by gate spec
Solar option
LiftMaster SL595: NoÂ
LiftMaster SL595: No
Nice / Nortek: Selected models — confirmÂ
Access options
LiftMaster SL595: Remote, keypad, myQ appÂ
LiftMaster SL585: Remote, keypad, myQ appÂ
Nice / Nortek:Â Remote, keypad, GSMÂ
LiftMaster SL595: AES, DoorBird
LiftMaster SL585:  AES, DoorBirdÂ
Nice / Nortek:Â AES, DoorBird
Warranty
LiftMaster SL595: 3 yr manufacturer
LiftMaster SL585: Â 3 yr manufacturer
Nice / Nortek:Â 2 yr manufacturer
Common questions
Sliding Gate Questions
No. Cantilever sliding gates are supported by rollers mounted to posts on either side of the opening. There is no ground channel or track. This is why cantilever gates perform better in Ontario winters — no track to fill with ice, snow, or gravel.
A standard cantilever sliding gate requires rack space of approximately 1.5 times the opening width along the fence line behind the leading post. For a 14 ft opening, you need roughly 21 ft of fence run. We confirm this during the quote process.
The operator on a sliding gate is mounted at ground level beside the gate panel, not inside a post. Electrical conduit runs underground from your power source to the operator location. We provide a complete conduit routing plan, power requirements, and post placement drawings with every quote so your electrician and contractor have everything they need before arriving on site.
In some cases, yes — it depends on the operator model and your expected daily cycle count. Sliding gate operators typically draw more power per cycle than swing operators, so solar suitability is more site-specific. We assess this during the quote.
It depends on your specific site. Swing gates are the more common choice where grade and clearance allow. Sliding gates are the right answer when swing clearance is limited, the grade past the opening is steep, or the site layout makes a cantilever system more practical. Our gate planning guide walks through the full decision framework.
Both. We ship custom aluminum sliding gates anywhere in Ontario and the US for supply-only customers, with full pre-construction documentation included. We also offer full installation in our Ontario service area.
Not Sure If Sliding Is Right For Your Site?
Send us your opening width, a few site photos, and a note about your rack space and driveway grade. We will confirm whether a cantilever sliding gate is the right fit and come back with a complete quote and pre-construction documentation package.Â
GET A QUOTE
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(519) 856-9959