Yes, most electric driveway gate designs we offer are available as either swing or sliding gates.

Our sliding gates use a bottom floor mounted tracking with rolling wheels built into the bottom of the gate. Alternatively, we can offer a cantilever type gate when the ground levels are not suitable or other ground issues are a potential problem. A cantilever gate is a great solution with minimal contact mechanism and a long and reliable lifespan.

We also offer a sliding, 2 or 3 part gate when the side room is limited for the gate to slide into. This is 2 or 3 separate gate sections which overlap each other when opening to take up half or less the space of the full width when extended and closed.

Sliding gates also only require one electric motor drive, as opposed to 2 motors on a pair of swing gates and generally have less maintenance requirements over the years..
We would recommend sliding gates for any entrance, domestic or commercial in most cases simply for the security, simplicity and stability in high winds or when forced attempts occur.
Aluminium gates and the manufacturing processes along with high quality finishing, offer excellent gate designs and the long warranties are attractive too.

The simple answer is yes, this is perfectly possible, but the gate design, operating method and size will be a major factor for deciding if there might be an issue or additional measure might be required to deal with the wind exposure. This would be the same for any other material of course like timber or steel.

Solid entrance gate designs and wider sets of swing gates will have far more intense wind loading on the gate panels when closed than any open slatted designs. A solid design, but a sliding gate mechanism will not have the same potential issues as a pair of swing gates and the forces needed to keep them closed in high winds. Sliding electric gates will take a lot more wind load and are also better for preventing forced entry too. They slide closed and the front profile of the gate usually sits in a vertical C section which holds the gate leaf absolutely solid, providing more security as well.
Another issue with swinging entrance gates in exposed and windy areas is the gate motors have to be adjusted to ensure they can fight against the wind loads and this will mean the safety methods have to be robust too, simply to prevent crushing when closing or in some cases when opening against a wall or fence. Wind is a big enemy of larger gates and the sliding gate teds to resolve most of the issues faced

So, yes is the answer, but it depends on the design and operating method.

Whilst there are many standard and popular colours we can pretty much offer the aluminium gates in any standard RAL or BS colour choice as well as some very high quality wood graining effect painted and laminated finishes.

The best aluminium gate finish is powdercoating and most of our aluminium gates can have up to a 15 year warranty on the paint finish with caveats on the stability of the colour fastness, usually very dependant on the proximity to the coastline. The damaging effects of moist air with high levels of salt cannot be underestimated. The preparation of aluminium gate profiles before assembling the complete gate and painting is one of the major factors in quality and longevity.

Our premium aluminium gates will go through a 7 stage dipping process to clean, etch and polymer seal the various extrusions, inside and out. This provides the perfect base before the powdercoating process even begins.

Certainly we wouldn’t expect any further painting to be required with an aluminium gate once fitted and generally the same with the support posts or tracking on a sliding gate.

The best advice for a lot of outdoor building products in the UK is simply to keep them clean.

Moving sections such as the hinges or pins used for automation should be kept greased but are generally very well protected anyway from the weather. We highly recommend a regular service depending on how often the gate is used.

Call us for more information.

Aluminium has always been a material used when corrosion is perhaps an issue with steel or other materials. It isn't 100% fullproof and corrosion can occur in certain, but rare conditions, but on the whole in the UK it is an excellent building material for use outside.

We offer higher end aluminium gates with superior construction methods and up to a 15 year warranty and a lot of the longevity will depend on the environment the gates are operating within. Sea salt for example will rot most materials quite quickly compared to a normal atmosphere. Properly powdercoated or laminated aluminium gates will outlast most steel or softwood gates easily. Our premium aluminium entrance gates have a standard 15 year warranty on the powdercoat finishing and this is something quite rare with external products in the UK, especially as it is a guarantee and not just a statement.
The gates will need cleaning and the closer you are to the coastline and saline air, the more often you will need to clean. At least every 3-6 months is ideal for any location. Once the gates are located within 500m of the coastline the guarantee period is reduced to 5 years with the Duplex coating process also required.

Aluminium is a great material for stability and corrosion resistance, so is a great choice when you find the design you require. Just check finer details once you have found your gate design and make sure you are happy with the accessories used to operate the gate too..

The Premium Aluminium Entrance Gate Process for Assembly and High Quality Finishing:

For the assembly the extrusions are direct from the mill. On arrival the aluminium goes through a 7-stage dipping process in order to clean, etch and polymer seal the extrusions, both inside and out for maximum effectiveness. This gives protection against the elements and forms the base for the perfect powder coating process.

The aluminium extrusions are then dried out and sent through the powder coating nozzles, once coated the extrusions then pass through a 24 metre oven for the finish that is guaranteed to keep the colour within 2 pantones over 15 years for all architectural finishes.

Once coated a selection of the extrusions then go on to be wood grained using the sublimation process. This produces up to colour 30 variations, which also get the 15-year guarantee.

The process to produce the gates then heads to be cut to length with an accuracy of 0.1 mm. Once cut to length the profiles are then CNC machined for all the fixing points and any options ordered.

The next stage is to assemble the gates using a screw and cold-weld polyurethane adhesive process, like that used in the prestige and sports car market. The corners and positions for the automation equipment attachments are all reinforced and bonded at the same time.
The cold weld corners have over 180kg/cm2 (2600 lbs per square inch) of holding power, stronger than other traditional welded gates. The curing time to their full and final strength is 2-3 days.

This process produces aluminium gates at small, medium and large sizes with the very best final finish, but also the strongest construction too, after all there are a lot of forces on entrance gates when in use but also when closed. High winds, the odd knock and bang and the constant weight on the hinges and fixing points when swinging open and closed are all points of failure for lesser, cheap gates as sold in abundance online.

Aluminium is deceptively strong when you consider the lighter weight of it. Many cars are built from aluminium and have been for many years. It is an easier material to form into complex shapes, especially when curves are involved.

It can be a very strong gate if it is made to a minimum standard but of course like so many building products in the UK, you pay too cheap and you will discover the reason for the lower price very quickly. There are different guages and profile sizes and for the larger gates above 4m wide you really need to do your research well.

Nearly all aluminum gates will be built from hollow section profiles and not solid sections as this isn’t necessary. The methods in which the profiles are connected is one of the main reasons for the overall integrity and sections simply screwed together for a fast turnaround on delivery usually won’t have the overall strength and longevity.

Both materials have their own unique benefits and steel has been used for so many years now because aluminium processes like we see today were not available years ago. Steel is heavier than aluminium and can corrode a lot faster, even galvanised steel can rust in some key areas over time...

Aluminum is lightweight, but if specified and manufactured correctly is very strong indeed and the lighter weight gives benefits all round.

Aluminium can look a lot more refined than steel with rounded edges and curves and nowadays with the manufacturing processes can be made to look like either steel or timber, but is lighter and generally a better price whilst providing a longer lifespan with some gates having up to 25 year warranty.

Steel has its place and is mainly seen on gates with open designs, square or round bar designs. Aluminum can replicate most designs seen in steel or timber these days so is a very attractive option and always prefinished in a powdercoated colour, solid or woodgrain effect.

Aluminium is deceptively strong when you consider the lighter weight of it. Many cars are built from aluminium and have been for many years. It is an easier material to form into complex shapes, especially when curves are involved.

It can be a very strong gate if it is made to a minimum standard, but of course like so many building products in the UK, if you pay cheap prices and you will soon discover the reason for the low price, particularly when it is an external use product, subject to the British weather and the forces and stresses in daily use.

There are different guages and profile sizes not always obvious and for the larger aluminium gates, usually considered to be above 3.6m wide, you really need to do your research well.
All aluminum gates will be built from hollow section profiles and not solid sections as this isn’t necessary, but the amount of aluminum used in these profiles is a major factor on the final price. The methods in which the profiles are connected is one of the main reasons for the overall integrity and many gates simply screwed together for a fast turnaround on delivery usually won’t have the overall strength and longevity required for entrance gate sizes.

The premium build aluminium gates AGD Systems offer will be of the highest quality and also built using a bonded process, as used in the premium car manufacturers. Stronger and more resilient to stresses and strains when in use or in high winds, one of the main enemies for larger entrance gates in the UK.

With aluminium gates, just like a lot of external building products, you will only get what you pay for and the results of that are seen far quicker in the harsh UK climate.

Absolutely they are if they are designed initially for automation systems to be fitted and not just manual operation. Because aluminium gates are often lighter than steel or timber gates the electric operation is in theory a little easier all round. Many aluminium gates which are sold as a complete ‘system’ to include the posts and all relevant accessories from the outset will be built with the electric automation in mind and appropriate additional reinforced fixing points in place to attach the relevant motor drives to.

Cheaper low quality aluminium gates will inevitably show signs of deterioration quite fast. Especially if the gates are just screwed or riveted together components for low price offering. The gates will actually rattle and move in the wind and start to come apart in time. Cheap aluminium gates are not worth the money or risk in our experience, with people regularly coming to us for help who have bought them online and not considered the British climate and damage that can be done.

Aluminium gates can be swing, sliding or cantilever in their operation and all these can be automated with the relevant motors drives to suit the size and design of the gate. There is never a one size fits all for electric motors drives and the correct electric motor drive to suit the gate size and whether it is a solid or open design is critical to longevity and safety.

Aluminium entrance gates are perfect for automation, whether they are hinged or sliding models and we can even offer gates with the electric operators built inside the gate framework itself, nothing on display to the outside world and less safety issues..

The biggest consideration for electric swing gates is often the design, because once gates are wider than about 4 metres and higher than around 1800mm the wind loading can be a major factor to how they are automated and locked and designed to operate safely.

Currently in 2025 some of the very best aluminium gates for medium or larger driveways, in sliding or swing gate versions, come from Aligate. Manufactured entirely in the UK using the most modern methods for aluminium processing and finishing their gates are guaranteed to be the best for overall performance and durability. AGD Systems offer the Aligates aluminium gates for most clients as the best choice and they are all made to order to the millimetre in almost any design required along with beautiful woodgrain or solid powder coat paint finishes. Every gate has very specific reinforcement for the automation system to ensure the best stability and security when in use.

Exceptional warranties are offered as standard and all hardware is of the very best quality and durability for many years of trouble free operation.