Exterior & Garden
Aluminium gates
Electric sliding gates, swing gates and side gates in powder-coated aluminium. Light, strong and made to match your fencing.
Why aluminium gates?
A driveway gate opens and closes in all weathers for decades, so the material matters. Aluminium is a fraction of the weight of steel or wrought iron. That means less strain on the posts and hinges, smaller motors and smoother running. It doesn’t rust, it doesn’t need painting, and in slatted designs it matches modern aluminium fencing exactly.
Sliding or swinging?
- Sliding gates need space along the boundary for the gate to slide into, roughly the width of the opening plus a bit more. In return they need no space on the drive, so they suit short drives and drives that slope up from the road.
- Swing gates need a clear, fairly level area behind them to swing into, but no run-back space along the wall. They suit wide, flat driveways.
Automation, done safely
A powered gate is a heavy machine that moves on its own. The Health and Safety Authority has issued guidance on the crushing hazards of electrically powered gates, and the safety standard installers work to is I.S. EN 12453. On every automated gate we fit, we include force-limited drives, photocells and safety edges where they’re needed, a manual release for power cuts, and a hand-over that covers how everything works. We’ll also recommend a regular service. Our electric gate safety guide explains what to look for on any powered gate.
Planning, entrances and the footpath
Gates up to 2 metres high are generally exempt from planning. Making a new entrance onto a public road, or widening an existing one, needs planning permission. Gates should open into your property, never out across a footpath or road. If you’re changing the entrance itself, check with the council first.
Aluminium gate FAQs
Do I need planning permission for electric gates?
Replacing or adding gates up to 2 metres high in an existing entrance is generally exempt. Creating a new entrance onto a public road, or widening an existing one, needs planning permission. Protected structures and Architectural Conservation Areas may need permission for any change.
Are electric gates safe?
They’re safe when properly designed, installed and maintained. That means force-limited motors, photocells and safety edges where needed, and a manual release. Ireland’s Health and Safety Authority has warned about crushing hazards on badly installed gates, so safety devices are not optional extras.
What happens to electric gates in a power cut?
Every automated gate has a manual release so it can be opened by hand. Battery backup can be added so the gate keeps working for a number of cycles without mains power.
Can I open my gate from my phone?
Yes. Besides remote fobs and keypads, gates can be controlled by app or linked to a video intercom, so you can let visitors in from wherever you are.