Gate Ordering Questions
Driveway Gates & Automatic Gate Openers – Help & frequently asked questions NZ
Looking for advice about driveway gates or automatic gate openers?
EasyGate manufactures aluminium sliding and swing driveway gates in Tauranga and supplies automatic gate openers, remotes, keypads, safety devices and access-control equipment throughout New Zealand.
Below you'll find answers to common questions about choosing the right driveway gate, measuring your entrance, sliding vs swing gates, sloping driveways, gate automation, DIY installation, 24V power, safety beams, delivery, manuals and technical support.
If you're unsure which gate or automation system is right for your property, send EasyGate your driveway measurements and photos of the entrance and we can help you choose a suitable solution.
5. How do I measure my driveway for a sliding gate?
To manufacture your sliding driveway gate correctly, EasyGate needs the Post Gap, opening direction, available side space and finished gate height. We also need to know whether the gate will be automated or non-automated, as this affects the overall gate length.
Post Gap
Measure accurately from the inside face of one gate post to the inside face of the other gate post.
EasyGate will calculate the finished gate length from this measurement and make the necessary allowances for overlap and the gate setup.
Opening Direction
Stand on the street side looking towards your property and tell us whether the gate will slide:
Left to right to open, or
Right to left to open.
This is important because it determines which end of the gate requires the additional length and where components such as the guide rollers and automation are positioned.
Gate Overlap and Additional Length
At the closing end, allow approximately 50 mm minimum overlap past the inside face of the closing post.
For an automated sliding gate, approximately 300 mm of additional gate length is required at the rear of the gate. This provides the additional gate structure required for the guide-roller and automation arrangement.
For a non-automated sliding gate, EasyGate includes a tail at the rear of the gate. This allows the top guide roller to remain inside the gate post, supporting the gate and keeping it upright and correctly aligned.
Available Side Space
Measure the clear space available beside the driveway in the direction the gate will slide.
There must be enough clear side space for the complete gate, including its rear extension or tail, to move fully clear of the Post Gap when the gate is open.
Check for anything that could restrict the gate, including fences, walls, buildings, downpipes, landscaping or changes in ground level.
Finished Gate Height
Measure from the driveway or finished ground level to where you want the top of the gate to finish — for example, 1.5 m or 1.8 m.
EasyGate will make the appropriate allowance for the wheels and track when calculating the manufactured gate height.
Driveway Contour
Also check whether the ground between the two gate posts is level or whether it rises or falls from one side to the other. A change in contour may require EasyGate to manufacture a raked or parallelogram sliding gate.
If you're unsure about any of these measurements, send EasyGate photos of the complete driveway entrance together with your measurements before ordering. We can help check that you've provided the information we need to manufacture your gate.
6. How do I measure my driveway for a swing gate?
EasyGate mainly needs the Post Gap, finished gate height, driveway contour and whether you want a single or double swing gate.
Post Gap
Accurately measure from the inside face of one gate post to the inside face of the other post.
EasyGate uses this measurement to calculate the actual gate width, allowing for hinges and the required closing gap.
Finished Gate Height
Measure from the driveway or ground level to where you want the top of the gate to finish.
Single or Double Swing Gate
Tell us whether you want one gate leaf spanning the driveway (single swing) or two gate leaves meeting in the centre (double swing).
Driveway Contour and Opening Clearance
Check whether your driveway is level from left to right between the gate posts. Also check whether the driveway rises or falls as you enter the property.
A change in level can affect the clearance underneath a swing gate as it opens.
If the driveway rises inward, measure the amount of rise over the area through which the gate will swing and provide the measurement to EasyGate in millimetres.
If you're unable to calculate this yourself, we suggest asking a builder or similarly qualified person to take the measurement. If in doubt, please send EasyGate a photo of your driveway entrance.
Automation Arm Clearance
Allow at least 200mm clearance from the hinge face of the gate post to any obstruction, such as a fence, wall or other structure, where the automation arm is to be installed.
8. What type of driveway gate is best in high winds?
For exposed or high-wind locations, an open-style aluminium gate is generally a better choice than a fully enclosed gate because it allows more wind to pass through rather than acting like a large sail.
Gate size, design, location and whether the gate is sliding or swinging all affect the wind loading on the gate and its automation.
Open picket or slat-style gates generally allow more airflow and can therefore reduce wind loading.
Solid or privacy-style gates, such as closely spaced slats, louvres or Tongue & Groove designs, have considerably more surface area exposed to the wind.
Wind is particularly important with swing gates because the gate leaf acts as a lever against the hinges and automation as wind pressure increases.
Sliding gates can often be a better option for exposed locations because they don't swing out into the wind. However, a sliding gate still needs appropriate support, guides and automation.
EasyGate has been manufacturing aluminium driveway gates in Tauranga since 2004 and can design specialist gate solutions for challenging or high-wind locations.
9. What automatic gate motor do I need?
The correct automatic gate motor depends on whether you have a sliding or swing gate, gate size and weight, gate design, wind exposure and how frequently the gate will operate.
For a sliding gate, considerations include gate weight and length, how freely the gate rolls, daily usage and whether the gate has an open or solid design.
For a swing gate, the length and weight of each gate leaf are important, but wind loading is also a major consideration.
Frequency of operation matters too. A residential driveway opening a few times each day has different requirements from an apartment complex or commercial entrance operating many times per hour.
If you're unsure which gate motor you need, send EasyGate:
- Sliding or swing gate
- Gate length and height
- Approximate weight, if known
- Photos of the complete gate and driveway
- Whether the gate is open-style or solid/privacy-style
- Wind exposure
- Approximate number of openings per day
- Residential, lifestyle or commercial use
EasyGate can then recommend an automatic gate opener suitable for your application.