Which foundation for a sliding gate?

The topic of a foundation for a sliding gate comes up in various forums and online discussions, as well as in enquiries coming directly to us. The answer to the question "What kind of foundation for a sliding gate?" is not clear-cut and the parameters of such a foundation will depend on many factors such as the ground, terrain and the type of vehicles using the gate. The most important point, and the difference between a swing gate and a sliding gate in relation to the foundation, is that for a self-supporting sliding gate it is sufficient to prepare the foundation for the counterweight and the opposing post alone. This is different to the case of a swing gate.

Entry lumen size vs foundation

The first and most important factor to consider when preparing the foundation for a sliding gate is the size of the entrance lumen. It is assumed that the foundation under the counterweight should be 1/3 of the length of the entry lumen so that the door will operate without objection, gliding lightly over the rollers. Below is an example calculation for a door with an entry light of 600cm. In this case we recommend adding an additional 30 cm of foundation to the 1.3 cm of the LW length. It is also worth bearing in mind the weight of the gate leaf itself and the vehicles that will be using the passage. The size of the foundation itself and its correct execution is crucial to the good performance of the gate. A foundation that is too 'weak' will lead to the whole structure working, causing problems with the use of the gate.

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Other foundation parameters

When making the foundation, what is important, apart from the length of the foundation itself, is its depth. If it is made too shallow, the whole structure will overwork and after the first winter you will feel the consequences of a poorly prepared gate foundation. If, in addition, we have a bolt or clamp installed, even a slight deviation of the gate from its original settings will make the gate not descend properly, and quite likely, there will not even be a possibility to lock it. Doing a foundation that is too deep will not have any negative consequences, you will only incur an additional cost. What depth is correct? We recommend to our customers building a foundation 120 cm deep. It is recommended that the foundation extends down to the ground frost depth. Planted too close to ground level, it will cause the whole structure to tilt, as the foundation will work with the ground. This depth varies depending on the area of our country. In the west of Poland this point is as low as 80 cm, and in the north-east even 140 cm.
The construction of the foundation will also be influenced by factors such as the terrain (whether the plot is sloping), the immediate surroundings of the gate (paved road or not), the vegetation growing in the immediate area (large trees) and the vehicles using the gate (the heavier the equipment passing through the gate, the larger the foundation, but also the gate itself). The width of the footing of the foundation itself is 40-70 cm.