DIY sliding gates. Scheme, step-by-step instructions. Sliding gates: drawings, diagrams and instructions for making them yourself Instructions for making sliding gates

For a long time, sliding gates were used only in industrial buildings, as it was believed that their design was complex. With the advent of new technical solutions and a wide selection of components, they began to gain popularity among developers. Nowadays, the installation of sliding gates has become so simplified that their installation can be done with your own hands.

Sliding gate device

Sliding gates

The design of sliding gates consists of a plane, or panel, which can move in a horizontal plane along rollers. Such gates are also called sliding or sliding gates.

Such a structure allows for rational use of space: there are no oversized doors, as in swing gates. The structure moves along the fence, so a minimum area is required for its operation. The device does not require laying rails, which eliminates contact with the ground surface. This is important in winter when snow falls.

The standard design of sliding gates provides for mechanical opening and is available for independent implementation. Modern designs are equipped with an automated drive, which makes their use more comfortable, but significantly increases the cost.

The ease of operation of such gates, as well as their reliability and durability, make them widely popular among developers. The design can be assembled from materials of different cost and texture, which makes it possible to create original gates without loss of quality and functionality.

Element names

If you decide to build gates equipped with automation, you can easily purchase ready-made units at specialized retail outlets. Such systems are controlled manually or remotely. Install automatic switches for general protection, install an alarm system that operates synchronously with the drive.

Selection of gate parts

The correct choice of components for sliding gates during self-assembly determines the reliability and durability of the structure. The gate consists of the following main elements:

• roller carriages;
• guide;
• holders and traps.

Sliding gates

Before selecting sliding gate hardware, determine the space required for sliding gates. The choice of material is influenced by the load; it depends on the dimensions and weight of the product.

Sliding gates are classified depending on the size of the opening and weight:

• small (width up to 4 m and weight up to 0.4 t);
• medium (up to 6 m and 0.6 t);
• large (from 6 m and over 0.6 t).

If the gate belongs to the category with a weight of up to 400 kg, then the use of lightweight materials is allowed: corrugated board or siding. There are no additional requirements for fittings. With a massive gate structure, reinforced auxiliary elements must be used.

A mandatory requirement for the frame is its rigidity. This is due to the fact that in addition to normal loads there is increased windage. In order to reduce weight, a profile pipe is widely used, and when choosing a material, the material is guided by its ability to withstand its own weight without deformation.

Pouring the foundation

Installation of sliding gates requires the construction of a foundation. Its construction begins with markings. To determine the length of the base, half the size of the opening is measured from the extreme point. The width of the foundation is about half a meter.

If the fence structure is completely constructed, then its pillars can be used as supports. Otherwise, installation of a counter support is necessary. Moreover, the hole for it is made adjacent to the inside of the fence, but without reducing the width of the opening.

If you plan to install automation, then it is necessary to provide for the laying of the power cable. According to the rules for safe electrical installation work, it is placed in a pipe.

When excavating soil for the foundation, the depth of freezing is taken into account: the foundation pit is made below this level.

It is recommended to construct a foundation based on an embedded part. It is used as channel No. 16, to which pieces of reinforcement with a diameter of 12 mm are welded at right angles. Then a grid of reinforcement of the same size is welded to the structure.

After assembling the embedded element, it is immersed in the pit so that the free ends of the reinforcement are directed downward. In this case, the end of the channel should be in close contact with the fence post. The work is carried out with constant monitoring of the horizontal position of the channel.

The installation of the embedded part takes into account its position in relation to the horizon of the road surface. If they are at the same level, then the distance from the bottom of the roadbed to the road surface will be about 100 mm. If necessary, it can be increased slightly by using special pads for adjustment.

Reducing the gap will lead to an unacceptable violation of the fastening technology.

When the opening width exceeds 4.5 m, the installation of two support pillars is required. This will provide the necessary rigidity of the structure and make it possible to work in conditions of high windage of the canvas.

The pillars have a height that is equal to the distance from the foundation to the top point of the gate plus 50 mm. To increase rigidity, the lower part of the supports and the mortgage are connected by welding.

When pouring concrete, the embedded part should not be completely covered. After this, the concrete takes about three weeks to harden and gain operational properties.

Step-by-step instructions for installing sliding gates

Carriage with rollers

First, they designate the trajectory along which the gate will move. A stretched cord acts as a beacon. It is positioned so that the distance from the roadway is 200 mm, and 30 mm away from the location of the return post. In this case, the cord plays the role of a guide for the correct location of the supporting profile.

The carriages with rollers prepared for installation are inserted into the supporting profile and shifted to the central part of the gate. Then the sash with carriages is installed in the embedded channel. After this, the supports are installed and adjusted so that they touch the cord. In this case, the parallelism and relativity of both surfaces must be maintained.

Fastening roller trolleys to the channel

When installing sliding gates, a critical step is the correct fixation of the roller carriages. During this process, the following order must be followed.

The platform for adjusting the second carriage is connected by welding to the channel.

After this, having rolled the gate into the opening, the steps are repeated and the platform of the first roller support is mounted.

The roller carriages are dismantled from their supports, which are then also removed from the platforms intended for adjustment.

After this, the embedded part is welded along the perimeter with the adjustment pads and the roller supports are mounted to them. After this, the supports are connected and attached to the canvas.

To adjust the structure horizontally, the gate is completely closed.

The process consists of screwing or loosening the fastening of the platform with a wrench, which leads to the structure changing and adopting the required position.

Roller carriages and accessories

Free play adjustment

The roller supports are adjusted by loosening the nuts connecting the part to the adjustment pad. Having loosened the fastening, it is necessary to move the gate several times in the closing and opening directions. In this way, the supports find a position that corresponds to their unhindered and easy movement. Upon completion of the adjustment, the previously loose fasteners are securely tightened.

Installation of end roller and plugs

The location of the end roller is the front side of the profile. A bolted connection is used to secure it.

The sliding gate kit includes a plug, which is located on the rear of the profile. It is fixed by welding. The function of this element is to prevent the penetration of foreign objects and sediments into the cavity of the supporting part, which allows for trouble-free operation of the mechanism.

To install the top guide, you must first loosen the rollers. After this, the bracket is mounted touching the rollers and the top of the canvas so that the mounting holes face the support post. The parts are pressed against each other and secured with a threaded connection.

Sheathing the gate leaf with corrugated sheets

Having completed all the activities described above, you can begin installing the corrugated sheeting on the frame, which is a frame. Before this, the sheets are marked and cut depending on the dimensions of the sliding gate.

Gates covered with corrugated sheets

The front edge of the gate is chosen as the starting point for attaching the profiled sheets. Self-tapping screws or rivets are used as fasteners. Moreover, the latter are preferable, since they are less susceptible to corrosion. The sequence of laying corrugated sheets involves superimposing subsequent waves into the previous sheet.

Installation of catchers

The final stage of assembling sliding gates with your own hands is the installation of catchers. The lower one is mounted after the gate is fully assembled, that is, under the influence of maximum forces. It absorbs part of the load, which facilitates the work of the roller bearings. The location of its installation is determined with the gate completely closed, and the catcher and the end roller must be aligned.

The task of the upper catcher is to prevent vibrations of the web due to the influence of wind. The position of the protective corners serves as a guide for its installation location. In this case, the latter are installed so that the catcher brackets touch them.

DIY gate installation

Self-installation of automation

To install automatic sliding gates with your own hands, you need general knowledge in the field of electrical engineering. If existing knowledge is not enough, the accompanying documentation supplied with the drive will help in solving this problem.

Even during the design period, gate designs are determined by their type. In the case of installing automatic gates, when pouring the base of the structure, cables are laid. For this purpose, special holes are made in the channel.

Gate parts (automation)

The path of wiring and placement of automation elements is marked on the supports. Next, the wires are mounted in accordance with the designated route.

An important parameter that determines the quality of the assembly of the structure is the size of the gap between the gear and the rack teeth: it must correspond to the value specified by the manufacturer in the instructions.

When installing the rack, please note that it is supplied one meter long. Therefore, when joining its sections, it is necessary that a whole tooth is obtained at the joints, which will prevent jamming when moving the blade.

The crucial step is connecting the gate to the automation. It is recommended that as you connect structural elements, you immediately monitor the performance of the system. If this is not done, then difficulties will subsequently arise in determining the area where the error was made.

Sliding gates are very popular nowadays, although in the recent past few could afford to install such a structure on their site due to the high cost of fittings and mechanisms. Now their cost is much lower and availability is higher, and a person with welding skills can make them with his own hands. The absence of upper and lower guides in sliding gates gives an advantage to the passage of vehicles of almost any size.

Sliding gates - operating principle and design

The principle of operation of the gate: the gate moves on two roller trolleys mounted on a concrete channel. The upper rollers provide protection against falls and distortion. In the closed state, to relieve the load on the roller supports, an end roller is installed on the guide, which slides into the lower catcher when the gate is closed. The upper catcher is installed to more reliably fix the gate in the closed state. The full size of the gate is 150% of the opening width, that is, if our opening is 4 m, then the full width of the gate leaf will be 6 m and, accordingly, the space for rollback should be at least 6 m. Perhaps this is the main disadvantage of this type of gate and if there is not enough place, it is worth considering other options.

Design drawing and diagram

Before making a gate, you need to decide on the dimensions of the future gate and make a drawing indicating these dimensions. The gate consists of a load-bearing frame and sheathing (internal frame). The frame is usually made from a rectangular profile pipe 60*30 mm and 2 mm thick, and you can also use pipes 60*40 mm or 50*50 mm if the required size is not available. For the internal frame, a profile pipe 40*20 or 30*20 is suitable, depending on what is available.

An example of a gate parts connection diagram:

Selection and calculation of materials with fittings

Let's take the drawing above as an example. For the frame we will use profiled pipes of rectangular section 60*30 with a thickness of 2 mm. We calculate the total length of the pipe for the frame based on the dimensions in the drawing 4200*2+1800+1865=12065 mm, the length of the hypotenuse of the triangular part is calculated using the formula c=√b 2 +a 2 √1800 2 +1865 2 =2591 mm, 12065+2591 =14656 mm. The total turned out to be 14.66 m in meters, this concerns the frame.

For the internal frame, take a 40*20 pipe and now calculate the total length 4200*3+1865*4= 2060 mm or 20.6 m. All dimensions are taken with a small cape.

The fittings are complex and unprofitable to make yourself and are usually purchased in stores of the appropriate profile. When choosing fittings, you need to know the approximate weight of the future structure in order to correctly select rollers that can easily withstand this weight.

Almost any material can be used for the internal lining of gates, but most often a profile sheet is used for these purposes, popularly called “corrugated sheeting”. Corrugated sheeting can be ordered in any size and color, it is quite lightweight and has an anti-corrosion coating. For the gate in our example, you will need a sheet measuring 7.833 m2. To fasten the corrugated sheeting, you will need self-tapping screws with a drill or rivets. For the mortgage, you need to purchase a piece of channel 16–20 cm wide and a length equal to half the gate opening, in our case at least 2 meters. Reinforcement for the foundation frame should be taken with a diameter of 12–16 mm and a length of 15. To mix concrete for the foundation, you will need cement, sand and crushed stone in a ratio of 1: 2.1: 3.9. For the foundation of the gate from the example, 0.5 m 3 of concrete is needed.

Necessary tool

• Welding machine, preferably semi-automatic.
• Grinder with cutting and grinding discs.
• Screwdriver or riveter.
• Hammer, tape measure, white marker.
• Concrete mixer, bayonet and shovel.
• Eye and hand protection.

Instructions for making and installing sliding gates with your own hands

First you need to cut the pipes according to the dimensions given in the drawing, using a grinder. Be sure to use protective equipment.

When we have finished cutting, we place the pipes on a horizontal surface or stands, as in the figure above, to form a frame according to the drawing. Having made sure that the layout is correct, we weld all the corners of the frame at several points, then completely weld the joints. Now you need to sand the welds. The inner surface of the frame, where the frame will be attached, must first be primed with an anti-corrosion primer, since later, when the frame is installed, access will be impossible.

Using the same method, we weld the frame and also clean and prime it, only on the outside.

Connecting the frame to the frame

First, let's decide how the gate leaf will be sewn up - only from the front or from both sides. If only on the front side, the frame should be welded flush with the front side of the frame; when on both sides, then in the middle. Let's take the option from both sides. We measure the distance and make marks inside the frame where the frame should be located. Inside the frame, which lies horizontally, we lay the finished frame in the middle of the frame, adjusting it according to the marks with backings made from pieces of a wooden block. We adjusted it, checked it, now we need to connect the frame to the frame with welding points around the perimeter in increments of about 45–60 cm, so that the frame and frame do not move. We weld crosswise in sections of 1 cm until the step between them is 15–16 cm, and only then we weld the joints completely. Now let's weld the guide rails from the hardware kit to the bottom of the frame. We will weld it in the same way as the frame to the frame.

Painting

Next you need to prepare the frame for painting. First, we clean all welding seams with a grinder to an acceptable appearance. We degrease the entire frame and prime it with an anti-corrosion primer. After the primer layer has dried, you can begin painting. For painting it is better to use alkyd enamels, but acrylic paints are also quite suitable. You can paint with a spray gun, brush or small roller. Painting is done in 2 layers, applying the next layer after the previous one has dried.

Sheathing

You can start sewing the door leaf. We fasten the profile sheet, cut to size, using self-tapping screws with a drill or rivets. First, we fix the sheet at the corners, and then screw it along the perimeter and along the internal frame in increments of 15–20 cm.

Foundation

You can start pouring the foundation. We dig a hole with a length of at least half of the gate opening, in our case at least 2 m, a width of 0.5 m and a depth of 0.7–1 m. We begin to prepare the mortgage - there is nothing complicated here. This is what the finished mortgage looks like:

We place the mortgage in the hole and check with a level that the channel is in a horizontal plane and at the same level with the yard area, this way we will provide a level base for the carriages. Mix the concrete with a concrete mixer in the proportions: 1 part cement, 2.1 sand, 3.9 crushed stone. The resulting concrete grade is M250. We fill the hole completely, not forgetting to often pierce the concrete with a piece of reinforcement or a wooden lath for better penetration and filling of voids. The foundation must stand for at least 10 days, and the complete period for drying and gaining strength by concrete is 28 days. The next day and for the next 3-4 days, it is necessary to water the foundation to avoid cracking of the concrete.

Installation

The foundation is prepared - installation can begin. On the mortgage we place 2 carriages at the maximum distance from each other. We position the gates on carriages, inserting them into the guide rail. Now you need to adjust the carriages. The one closest to the opening is placed so that when the gate is fully opened, its edge does not reach 15–20 cm from the carriage. The other carriage is placed so that when the gate is completely closed, its edge does not reach the carriage by 5 cm. We check the installation with a level and secure it by welding. When we have checked that the entire structure is correct, we weld the joint between the carriage and the mortgage completely.

The next steps are to fasten the remaining parts. The upper guard rollers are attached to the mortgage in the column, if it is provided; when there is no mortgage, you need to first fasten the metal plate to the anchor bolts, it will act as a mortgage. The upper rollers are usually welded to the mortgage.

You can weld a piece of 30*20 pipe on top of a 60*30 pipe and weld the upper rollers to it. In this way we will get a more reliable fastening.

On the opposite post we attach a section of profile pipe 30*20 with a length equal to the height of the gate leaf to the mortgages, and the upper and lower catchers directly to the pipe. We attach the lower catcher 5 mm higher than the end roller is located, so that when it hits the catcher, the gate rises, thus partially removing the load from the carriages.

The upper catcher is attached to the pipe 5–7 cm below the top of the gate to protect against fluctuations in the wind.

The guide is closed on one side and the other with rubber plugs that come with the fittings.

Automatic gate opening

For ease of use, you can make an automatic gate opener; nowadays the market offers a large selection of such drives, and choosing something for yourself with a good price-quality balance will not be difficult. It is best to entrust the installation of the drive to a specialist in this matter, although you can figure it out yourself, since the drive comes with detailed instructions for connecting the motor itself, sensors and mounting the rack.

The power of the purchased drive depending on the weight of the sliding gate can be seen in the table:

Table: dependence of motor power on gate weight

But it’s still better to buy a drive with a power reserve.

Ready-made sliding gates with automation:

Video: DIY sliding gates

It is no secret that sliding gates designed and assembled independently will cost much less than those ordered from a company producing and installing such gates. We control the quality of workmanship ourselves, so you can check everything down to the millimeter, thereby producing a high-quality product for your own use.

Sliding gates are simply an ideal option for a country house or cottage. They are convenient, durable and reliable in operation. Now on the building materials market there is a very large assortment that is required for components for gates, so you can easily make sliding gates with your own hands. To do this, you only need a drawing, but to fully understand the principle of operation and take into account all the features of sliding gates, you can watch a video or photo that shows in detail how to make sliding gates.

Description and principle of operation

Until relatively recently, sliding gates were very rarely installed and the most common fence was simple swing gates. This due to the high cost components for sliding gates. Today, a set of accessories for automatic gates has become much more affordable, and more and more home owners are interested in how to install this structure with their own hands.

Sliding gates for a private home can be of two types:

• Console;
• Rail.

The last option is an outdated variety; such gates can often be seen in factories. The most popular is the first option, which is widespread today. These gates are equipped with an additional console, which is a continuation of the door leaf. The console is located behind the fence adjacent to the gate and is hidden behind it.

The operating principle of cantilever sliding gates is as follows. A guide (aka console) is rigidly welded to the frame of the sliding gate, due to which the door leaf moves. The guide moves along sliding trolleys attached to the foundation.

Each cart equipped with 8 bearings with pressed metal or polymer rollers. The sliding trolleys are located inside the guides, which additionally protects them from atmospheric influences and extends their service life.

Under normal operating conditions, the sliding gate system must withstand at least 60 thousand cycles - this is approximately 20 years of average use.

The main advantages of sliding gates include:

• can be controlled mechanically or using automation;
• the ability to pass vehicles of any height (there are no guides at the bottom and top of the opening);
• ease of installation (you can install sliding gates yourself);
• do not require additional maintenance.

The main disadvantage of installing sliding gates is the use of a fairly large area for opening them. Often, due to lack of space, people abandon sliding structures in favor of swing structures.

Accessories

To install sliding gates with your own hands, you need to buy special components for installing the sliding system.

Accessories for cantilever gates must include the following elements:

If automation is planned, then you need additionally purchase this kit, it consists of the following elements:

• Toothed rack (it is advisable to choose a galvanized rack). For large (more than 5 m) and heavy gates, a rack with a thickness of at least 9 mm is needed.
• Gearbox.
• Remote control.
• Photo sensors or light elements - they synchronize the flow of the IF beam between the receiver and transmitter, and prevent closing when an object is located in the opening.
• Mounting base.
• Signal lamp.

Automation installed from components from Italian and German manufacturers is the most reliable and suitable for use in various climatic regions.

When installing sliding gates with your own hands, you must provide the possibility of opening in case of automation failure.

Manufacturing of sliding gates

Let's take a closer look at how to install cantilever sliding gates with corrugated sheet lining.

Materials and tools

The tools you will need are:

The most expensive tools (grinder, welding unit) do not have to be purchased; they can be rented - this will be more economical.

To build sliding gates you need prepare the following materials:

• profile sheets for cladding;
• profile pipe for assembling the frame (65x44x2-3) and lintels (45x25x1-2);
• sealant;
• primer and paint;
• console equipment;
• channel 15-25 mm;
• fittings with a diameter of 12-16 mm;
• wires for automation (cable size - distance from the foundation to the electrical panel);
• cladding fasteners (fasteners and self-tapping screws).

Getting started: site preparation and drawing development

One of the most important stages of installing sliding gates with your own hands is drawing up a drawing with a description of all dimensions (length, width, height, rollback space and clearances). The weight of the gate and the further choice of the console set will depend on the size of the structure and the material of the frame.

The width of the opening must be sufficient for normal entry of vehicles. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the width of the street - in narrow alleys it is better to build wide gates for normal vehicle passage.

To determine whether the opening is convenient, you can insert several pegs into the ground along the width of the gate and try to drive a car into the yard.

The size of the opening determines the space required to roll back the canvas. As a rule, the height of the gate is 10 cm less than the fence itself.

After creating the drawing, you can begin preparing the site for installing the sliding gates. The opening must be leveled and cleaned of dirt and debris.

Separately, it is necessary to prepare a place for cutting, welding and painting of fabric and metal pipes. For this work, you can assemble and install several “goats”.

Laying the foundation and constructing support pillars

The installation of sliding gates must begin with the installation of support pillars. The material you can choose from is: concrete or brick pillar, steel pipe, oak beam, channel. The support pillar must be installed at a depth of at least a meter.

Pole installation steps:

1. Make a hole more than a meter deep.
2. Level it.
3. Fill the hole with concrete.

It will take about a week for the concrete to completely harden. Therefore, in order not to waste time, you must first take care of the construction of support pillars.

Laying the foundation done this way:

The top of the channel must be located at the same level with the ground, forming a flat platform for the passage of a car. We leave the foundation to dry for another week, and during this time we make the frame of the gate and line it with profile sheets.

Frame construction

According to the developed drawing, we cut the pipes for the jumpers and for the main structure. It is necessary to cut and measure metal very carefully, controlling the accuracy of the angles of the jumpers.

Before welding, all parts of the frame must be cleaned with a wire brush (to remove scale from them), treated with an anti-corrosion substance for metal and degreased with a solvent.

Stages of welding the sheathing and frame:

1. To simplify the work, you can build a welding stand: drive stakes into the ground and lay out jumpers.
2. Pipes (transverse and longitudinal gate frames) are laid on the stand, secured at points, the diagonal of the frame is checked, and the connections are welded.
3. We lay the gate sheathing, grab it and determine its evenness. We weld the sheathing with small seams (one centimeter every 0.5 cm).
4. We clean the welding joints, degrease and paint the entire frame.

Frame installation and cladding

This is done in the following sequence:

After installation, you can begin installing the automation. First, you need to get acquainted with the instructions for the electric drive, watch the video and photos of installation, since various automatic systems have certain differences and installation nuances. But there are rules that apply to all models without exception:

DIY sliding gates will cost much less rather than ordering them from a specialized company. But still, to install them you will have to purchase components and an automatic system. In addition, you need to be prepared that installing sliding gates with your own hands is a rather labor-intensive process that requires accurate calculations, some skills and knowledge in construction.

An integral part of the fencing structure of a summer cottage is the gate. Today there are many varieties of them. Let's look at the process of making and installing sliding gates with your own hands.

Advantages and disadvantages of this design

Advantages:

• This gate design does not interfere with the exit/entry of a vehicle in a small area. Cantilever doors can significantly save space.
• The presence of the lower fastening of the console system allows you to equip the gate in any climatic conditions.
• The finishing can be made of different materials, for example, vertical lathing, corrugated board, forging and more.
• Possibility of choosing a design option, for example, from a sandwich panel or corrugated sheet.
• Compared to other types of gates (for example, swing gates), there is no such thing as sagging hinges. The existing automation and gate closing/opening mechanism provides for a long operational period.
• It is possible to choose different automation for gates.

Flaws:

• Unlike other types of gates, for example, swing gates, the installation of sliding gates requires more financial costs, approximately 10–20%.
• To attach the console part and the drive, it is necessary to make an additional foundation.
• You will need to allocate sufficient space along the fence.

The gate design is divided into several types, each of which differs from each other:

1. Hanging. Since Soviet times, this heavy, but at the same time reliable design has gained immense popularity. In it, the canvas on roller trolleys is fixed to a beam, which is located above the passage, up to 5 m high. As a result, this height is a limitation when tall vehicles enter.
2. Console. This type of gate is ideal for the climatic conditions of Russia. This design is not equipped with a beam above the driveway. Such gates will not be able to be damaged by snow drifts, wind, dust, etc. Thus, the canvas is fixed to the beam using roller carts. In this case, the entire structure is fixed on a powerful foundation, which is poured on the side of the opening.
3. On screw piles. Metal piles are screwed into the ground to a depth of 1500 mm, which will support the entire structure. Their production and installation will take up to 3 days.
4. Mechanical. These gates are opened/closed manually. Mechanical ones are much cheaper in cost and easier to install. They are suitable for cases where a dacha or country house is rarely used.
5. Automatic. Such gates are the complete opposite of mechanical ones. They are equipped with an electric drive and remote control. The best option for regular use.

Regardless of the type of construction, sliding gates require free space along the fence on one side. In this case, it must be equal in size to the opening. As for console systems, the space should be 120–200% larger.

Gate calculation features

Design calculation is one of the most important and priority stages. You should not ignore this stage, since the construction of sliding ones is much more complicated than swing ones.

The calculation process includes the following steps:

1. Determining the height and width of the opening. As a result, it will be possible to select the required type of gate for free movement.
2. Estimation of the weight of the structure being constructed.
3. Making a sketch or drawing.

The calculation of the width and height of the structure should be based on the market range. So, if a profile or pipe can be easily welded, then cutting sheets of corrugated board for the purpose of adding it is very difficult. Plus, the result will be unaesthetic.

Moreover, understanding the final weight of the structure, appropriate mechanisms and moving parts are selected that can cope with the load.

If the canvas is supposed to be large, then be sure to take into account the wind load. Add a small margin to the existing wind force prevailing in your area.

Although the easiest option for obtaining calculations is to contact a specialized company that will provide a folder with drawings and calculations, you can do this yourself. It is worth immediately noting that all of the above calculations apply to cantilever-type sliding gates. They are more complex than all other types, so let’s look at them in more detail.

The gate width (L) will be equal to:

• opening width;
• technological opening/closing intervals;
• minimum distance between the centers of the carriages.

Based on this, L will be larger than the opening.

When moving, the doors must be balanced. This indicator is achieved by calculating the counterweight. Thanks to this, the specific gravity of the structure will be evenly distributed over the carriages. Accordingly, in order to have as little load as possible, the counterweight must be large.

But what if there is not enough space for the sash to move? In this case, it is necessary to understand that the length of the counterweight should not be less than 40% of the width of the sash. The ideal figure is 50%. As a consequence, the width L has a counterweight in its design.

Having such calculations, you can determine how much space is needed to roll back the gate along the fence.

This value is determined based on the weight of the material used:

• Corrugated sheeting ~ equal to 4 kg/m2.
• Steel, thickness 2 mm ~ 17 kg/m 2.

A gate with a 4x2 m frame will weigh on average 200 kg. Having such data, it is possible to determine the indicators of the guide beam. In this case, you can build on the established standard.

For a gate weighing 300 kg, a 9x5 cm beam with a thickness of at least 3.5 mm is sufficient. However, a safety margin of up to 40% is required. It will significantly simplify the operation of the gate and increase its service life.

The gate will require rollers, catchers and a support rail. Modern products of this type allow you to choose the desired design. As a basis, we will take the simplest estimate of the wind load, which is equal to 12 m/s to 90 kg/m2 and is evenly distributed over the support zones of the canvas.

How can you make sure that the structure you have made will work without interruption even in strong winds? To do this, it is necessary to ensure that the strength of the fittings is greater than the calculated weight of the gate. A lateral moment of 100 kg/m is also taken into account, multiplied by 8 kg/m, which equals 800 kg/m. In principle, this is not much ~ 150–180 kg/m for each supporting element.

When buying a roller mechanism, make sure that it has a margin of up to 30% in relation to the weight of the gate. But this indicator does not affect the service life in any way. This is directly affected by increasing the distance between the centers of the carriages.

In addition to all of the above, it is worth paying attention to other aspects. Pay attention to the gate rail, supports for roller carriages and the number of anchors. It is also important to correctly calculate the mortgages on the support pillars. In this case, it is necessary to start from 60% of the total mass of the gate, divided by the number of mortgages.

As for the calculation of the foundation, there are no special secrets here. But despite this, you should not lose sight of this component, because often the cost of the foundation reaches 40% of the total cost of the project.

This type of gate has the following structural elements:

• Guide beam. Takes on all their weight.
• Trolley or roller support. You need 2 of them.
• Removable end roller. When closed, it serves as a support.
• Upper/lower catcher. When the gate is closed, the lower one takes the load, and the upper one reduces the windage.
• Bracket. It is important for keeping the sash from swinging sideways.
• Stand. A support is installed on it, which organizes the movement of the sash.

Roller supports are installed on the foundation, which take on the load of the guide beam. The rollers are placed inside the supporting console.

Sash selection

The gate leaves are also subject to high demands. Its design must be sufficiently rigid and stable. This is important so that in the event of a strong gust of wind or ice, the sash functions well. Moreover, it must be equipped with additional stiffening ribs so that it does not sag under its own weight. All this should be taken into account when creating drawings.

The availability of certain components directly depends on the height and width of the sash, as well as its weight. So, today on the market you can find a number of companies that provide high-quality equipment, namely:

• Combi Arialdo and Flatelli Comunello from Italy.
• Roltek and Doorhan from Russia.
• Alutech from Belarus.

For example, let's do some calculations. In the basic configuration, a supporting rail with a length of 6 m is necessarily installed. And in order to choose the right components for it, it is necessary to take into account the length of the sash plus 40%. Selection is also carried out according to the length of the guide beam and possible loads. So, if the width of the opening is 3.8 m, then the length of the door is 3.8 m + 40% = 5.32 m. In this case, you can purchase a ready-made set with a 6 m beam.

If the opening width significantly exceeds 4 m, then the purchase of components should be guided by a load of 500 kg. In them, the guide beam has a wall thickness of 3.5 m and a cross-section of 71 × 65 mm. If the width is more than 6 m, then it is necessary to take a load of up to 600 kg into account.

Installation work

The movement of the canvas should be carried out from the inside of the site, namely along the fence. Based on this, it is necessary to prepare a place for the gate so that absolutely nothing interferes with this process.

The installation process includes 4 steps:

1. Electrical wiring.
2. Installation of a response pole.
3. Automation installation.

Stages of foundation construction:

• First, marking is carried out. Measure 500 mm from the fence (the width of the foundation). You also measure from the edge of the gate a distance equal to the rollback (the length of the foundation). So, you will see the perimeter of the future foundation.
• It is often possible to use fence support posts. If this is not possible, then a counter post should be installed on the opposite side. It must be installed so that it is inside the area, and not in the opening itself. Otherwise, it will reduce the width of the opening.
• If the gate will operate automatically, then be sure to organize a place for laying the wiring. To do this, you can use a square metal or plastic pipe/box. The diameter of the pipes is not less than 25 mm.
• Now you can start digging a pit. The depth of the trench is up to 2 m, below the soil freezing level (different in each region).
• To make the embedded element, you can use channel 16. Its length should correspond to the length of the trench. Reinforcement Ø12 mm is laid in the foundation. The reinforcement must be welded to the channel and connected with cross braces.
• Thus, the resulting embedded element is placed with the reinforcement down. When laying, make sure that the side of the channel is adjacent to the fence support post. Also, the channel must be set strictly level and exactly parallel to the gate opening line.

The embedded element must be flush with the road surface. The minimum gap allowed between the bottom edge of the gate and the road is 10 cm. This gap can be increased using an adjustment platform. But it will be impossible to reduce this gap without breaking the fastenings.

If for one reason or another a gap of 100 mm is not suitable, then install the embedded element deeply.

As for concrete work, it is carried out when the installation of the embedded element is completely completed. The concrete level should be flush with the embedded element.

Installation

When the foundation has hardened, you can begin installing the gate. To do this, you first need to make markings. Along the line of the opening, not reaching the counter post 30 mm, pull the cord. This cord is the gate's movement path. The height of the cord tension is 200 mm. Further work looks like this:

• Determine the extreme position of the first and second roller support. From the edge of the opening, step back 15 cm along the plane of the embedded element and draw a line for the position of the outermost first trolley. Calculate the line of the second cart as follows: measure the entire length of the gate with the cantilever part and subtract 10 cm from the edge of the return post along the plane of the embedded element. As a result, you will determine the location of the second cart.
• Now insert the roller supports into the supporting profile, placing them in the center.

Afterwards it is necessary to weld the second trolley of the adjustment platform. Then roll the gate leaf into the opening and make final position adjustments. Make small tack welds by welding the second adjustment pad, the resulting action looks like this:

• Remove the canvas from the roller cart.
• Next, remove the carts from the platforms.
• Weld the platforms to the embedded element.
• Attach roller carts to them.
• Slide the canvas onto the roller supports.
• Close the gate and use a wrench to adjust its position.

You make holes inside the supporting profile, this is necessary in order to install the cart correctly. To do this, loosen the top nuts securing the carts to the platforms. After that, roll the gate back and forth. If the sash moves freely, tighten the nuts. If there are some difficulties in moving the sash, then slightly loosen the fasteners and level out all the design flaws, for example, correct the distortions of the trolley.

• Now you need to install the end roller. It should be inserted into the supporting profile and the bolts should be tightened thoroughly. You also weld the end roller cover to the profile. This will allow the roller to act as an end stop in the case of manual gate operation. But in this case, fastening by welding will be much better than a bolt.
• As for the support profile plug, it is installed on the inside of the gate and welded in place. It is necessary to prevent snow from rolling under the rollers.
• Now the upper clamp is mounted to the rollers. Therefore, loosen the roller fasteners and install the brackets so that its side is directed towards the support post, and the rollers grip the top of the canvas. Taking this into account, press the bracket against the post and secure it.

At the next stage of work, the gate frame is covered. For this you can use profiled metal sheets. They must be cut to the size of the sash. Fastening is carried out with rivets or self-tapping screws. Each subsequent sheet is mounted with an overlap.

When the casing is completed, the lower/upper catcher can be installed. The lower catcher plays the role of reducing the load on the roller carts when closed. Therefore, they must be installed when the gate is loaded. Place the lower catcher under the end roller with the gate completely closed so that the supporting plane of the catcher is above the level of the end roller. As for installing the upper catcher, this process occurs in the same way.

Finally, all that remains is to install the automation. To do this, attach the rack, which means a universal part with an electric drive. It is usually included in the mounting kit.

The choice of automation directly depends on the weight of the gate:

• For an opening of 4 m, a drive of 500–600 kg is used.
• For an opening of 4–6 m, a drive is used – 600–1300 kg
• For cases with intensive gate opening, a drive of 1200–1800 kg is used.

Coloring

All metal elements of the gate must be painted. Pre-degrease the surface. To do this, clean the surface and sand it with a sanding disc on a grinder. Wipe some areas, such as protected areas, with acetone. Now you can start priming. It is applied evenly. Moreover, the primer must be applied so that there are no drops or streaks. Thanks to such preparatory work, the paint will lie evenly. As a result, the entire gate structure will be completely protected from corrosion.

The paint should be applied in two layers and only after the first has completely dried.

To carry out all the work, you will need to have the following tool:

• Inverter welding material. Such a unit will not damage the metal.
• Bulgarian.
• Air compressor for painting.
• Pliers.
• Drill.
• Roulette.
• Level.
• Riveter.

If you do not have sufficient experience in performing such work, then there is a high risk of making some mistakes:

• Insufficient foundation preparation.
• Incorrect installation and fastening of all components.
• Incorrect weight of the gate for the load-bearing beam.
• If you hear a creaking sound, this is evidence of sand getting into the bearings.
• Do not allow paint to drip.
• Be sure to take into account the depth of soil freezing. Otherwise, the pillars may skew in one direction.

Video: making gates

Photo: options for finished sliding gates

Scheme

In the diagrams you can find many structural details for the manufacture of sliding gates:

Cantilever sliding gates are a rather complex structure. However, they are convenient and practical, and therefore are widely used in private households and industrial facilities. Today, there are many manufacturers who supply ready-made gates and components for them to the market. By enlisting qualified help, you can carry out the installation quite competently and quickly. However, if you want to save money and put creative energy into action, then it is better to start installing sliding gates yourself.

Description of cantilever gates

Cantilever sliding gates have no restrictions on dimensions at the top. In addition, they do not have contact with ground rails. This gate design is one of the most complex, but such “sacrifices” are justified. The door leaf does not contact the surface; it is suspended on roller blocks using a guide beam. Roller blocks and a beam are usually located at the bottom of the gate. Sometimes the guide beam and blocks are located in the center or on top of the canvas. This approach is justified when cantilever units can be suspended on the main wall of an adjacent building.

A similar technology is also used when there are nearby building structures or structures that can withstand the loads from the canvas. Otherwise, a power structure is built, which is not always beneficial. In most cases, for this reason, sliding cantilever gates with a supporting beam located below are used.

Design features of cantilever gates

If you decide to make console ones, you should take a closer look at the concept of this design. The canvas is installed on a frame, which is made of a metal profile pipe. A supporting beam, which has a special profile, is attached to the frame. Roller carriages are introduced inside the latter. The beam moves with the gate left and right along the carriages, the gate closes and opens.

The roller carriages and beam undergo the greatest load, this is especially true when the gate is fully opened or closed. To unload these units, an end unloading roller is used, which enters and rests against the catcher located below. In another part, an end limit roller with a catcher can be used to secure the blade when fully opened.

A cantilever system for sliding gates may have a top catcher and a guide with rollers that prevent lateral rolling. The catcher will fix the canvas in the closed state. To prevent foreign objects and contaminants from getting inside the beam, plugs are used. The structure is installed on power elements, including:

• return post;
• support pillar;
• foundation for roller carriages.

If there are strong supports on the site that are made of metal, concrete or brick, then they can be used as counter or support pillars. If there are none, then they will have to be built from metal. The foundation for the console must be built separately. If you decide to make a cantilever-type sliding gate, then it can be supplemented with an electric drive, which is installed between the roller carriages. In order for the blade to be set in motion, a gear rack must be fixed to its side surface. The control unit is installed on the drive.

Is it possible to install sliding gates?

Even if you have no financial restrictions and you have a great desire, it is not always possible to install cantilever gates on your site with your own hands. If the space is quite limited, then the cantilever structure will have to be replaced with another one. After all, a space of at least 1.5 times the width of the gate opening should be left along the fence. This requirement is due to the fact that the canvas also has a technological part, the length of which will take up half the width of the opening. This will evenly distribute the load on the console block.

Due to the fact that such gates move in a straight line, the area left for them must be straight. In the place where the gate will move, there should be no uneven terrain that could interfere with the movement of the gate. If you decide to create a cantilever gate, it is recommended to review the photo in advance. From them you can understand that there should be no gates in the path of the structure. They are usually installed on the opposite side.

If you order such a gate with a built-in wicket door, it will have high thresholds, which is not very convenient for the elderly and children. Some owners leave a distance as a gate that will be enough for a person to pass through. This is not recommended, because any mechanism is designed for a certain number of cycles, and frequent use of the design can reduce the service life. If the entrance to the territory occurs from a narrow lane, then it is necessary to increase the opening to facilitate maneuvering, which will negatively affect the dimensions of the road. If the listed situations do not exist on the site, then you can start making cantilever gates.

Preparatory work

Installation of cantilever-type gates begins with preparation. To do this, you should evaluate the location of the work. If the structure will be installed to replace the old one, then the condition of the support pillars should be assessed. If they are made of reinforced concrete or brick, then their cross-section should be 20x20 cm or more. When it comes to a metal profile pipe, the cross-section is usually 60x40 cm. These supports must be installed strictly vertically and well fixed in the ground. These elements will serve as counter and support pillars. If there are none, then the pillars will need to be installed.

When installing a cantilever gate with a middle beam, you must dig a hole for the foundation nearby. It is placed close to the support, it should run parallel to the fence, and its dimensions will be 500x2000 mm. If it is planned to build a new fence on the territory, then all work on its construction and the construction of the gate must be combined, which is preferable.

Quite often, brick pillars are erected at the entrance, which is not only beautiful, but also practical. If you also decide to follow this experience, then you will need to form embedded elements; they will look like steel plates 300x100 mm. Their thickness should be 5 mm. The top plate is located on the inside of the post, which is closer to the opening. The step from the top of the post to the plate should be 200 mm. Having departed from the zero mark of 200 mm, install the lower embedded plate; proceed in the same way.

The zero level will be the entrance through the gate. The central plate is located in the middle, between the bottom and top. The gate assemblies will be attached to these elements. When making cantilever sliding gates with your own hands, you must take into account that the passage width is usually 4 m. This standard has been adopted in European countries. Manufacturers of fittings and components offer sets of elements for a given gate size. To make the work easier, it is better to use a ready-made solution.

When choosing a canvas, you must decide what it will be covered with. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages. The final decision can influence the choice of power elements. The most commonly used is corrugated sheeting, but you can also find cladding options made from clapboard or forged decorative elements. An alternative solution is a lattice structure formed from steel pipes.

Carrying out marking

When you make a cantilever gate with a middle beam with your own hands, the next step is to start marking. In this case, it does not matter whether a fence is erected on the territory. Marking is carried out after installing the pillars. To do this, you will need to determine the level of the zero mark, which is the level of the entrance to the garage opening. You need to mark the level on one pillar, from which the mark is transferred to another using a laser or water level. At the zero marks, a cord is pulled, which must be brought close to the inner surface of the supports. The rope should be further than the support post.

Foundation structure

The foundation will bear the load from the weight of the gate. The upper part will be channel No. 20, the length of which will be 2000 mm. The roller units and drive will be installed on this unit. A pit is prepared for the foundation, which should be adjacent to the support pillar. Its width will be 500 mm, while the valley will be 2100 mm. The depth should be determined by the level of soil freezing in winter. In most regions this parameter is 1500 mm.

If you install a cantilever gate kit, the technology will remain the same. It provides for reinforcement of the foundation. In order to connect the base to the channel, you need to prepare 3 frames. For this purpose, reinforcement No. 16 should be used. For cross braces, reinforcement No. 10 is used, the pitch should be equal to the limit from 300 to 400 mm.

The frame is attached to the bottom surface of the channel. The center lines of the frames should be 400 mm away from the edges of the channel. After this, sand or a sand-gravel mixture is added, which is compacted. A channel with reinforcing cages is installed on the surface. To fill the foundation, concrete grade M-250 or M-300 should be used. To prepare you should stock up on:

• bucket;
• crushed stone;
• sand.

The amount of liquid will depend on the moisture content of the cement and sand. If you want to reduce the volume of water and increase the mobility of the composition, then you should use a plasticizer. The supply of concrete mixture should be carried out gradually, only then the leveled structure will not move. As soon as the next portion of concrete is laid, it is pierced in several places with reinforcement, which will remove air bubbles.

After laying the top layer, the surface of the channel should be wiped so that it remains clean for subsequent manipulations. The concrete will mature within 28 days, but after a week the solution will gain strength, which will make it possible to install the gate. At this time, you can do other operations.

Fabrication

If you are wondering how to make a cantilever gate, you should become more familiar with the technology of door leaf manufacturing. The main frame will consist of a profile pipe with a cross section of 60x40 mm. The internal filling and stiffeners are made of pipes with a cross-section of 20x40 mm. There will be a load-bearing beam located below, its length will be 6 m. Weld it to the gate.

When buying fittings, you need to take into account the weight of the canvas and the size of the opening. The size of the opening will be 4000 mm, while the weight of the sheet with corrugated sheet covering can reach 400 kg. The standard set of components includes:

• guide beam;
• end roller;
• two roller bearings;
• lower end roller catcher;
• guide device;
• upper catcher;
• two plugs per beam.

Work methodology

For the main frame, it is necessary to cut profile pipes, the cross-section of which will be 60x40 mm. To prevent access to the internal cavity of the pipe during welding, the seams should be made as tight as possible. Marking is carried out with a square and tape measure. You can cut the workpieces using an angle grinder with a cutting disc. It is better to use a cutting machine, which will ensure the accuracy of the angles.

The pipes are laid out on the mounting surface, and then all seams are tacked. After checking the dimensions, all connections are welded with a continuous seam. The remaining open ends are welded with plugs. To do this, you should prepare profile pipes that are applied to the inner surface of the frame and tightened with clamps. After this, they can be secured by welding. Guide beams are attached to the bottom surface of the gate. For priming and painting, the gate is installed in a position that is close to vertical. For work, it is better to use an anti-corrosion automotive primer, which is applied in two layers.

If you want to speed up the priming process, you should use a sprayer and a compressor. A brush is also suitable for this, but the work will take a longer time, and the quality of the coating seems worse. Particular attention must be paid to ensure that the primer is in the gap between the turns and the beam. The gap is also closed with acrylic sealant, laid in sausages. At the next stage, the gates are painted entirely in 2 layers. The surface of the supporting beam is not covered.

Once the paint has dried, the gate can be covered. The most preferred material for this is corrugated sheeting, because it combines beautiful appearance, strength, low weight and reasonable cost.

Gate installation

At the next stage, cantilever gates can be installed on a channel. These manipulations are carried out no earlier than a week after the completion of concreting. To install roller carts, you must purchase a mounting plate with studs. With its help, you can adjust the position of the gate horizontally and height. In addition, the gate can be removed to replace roller blocks or repair individual components.

When it is time to install the cantilever gate, the roller trolleys are seated on the mounting plate. There is no need to tighten the top nuts too much. The position of the plates is marked on the foundation. Measure 150 mm from the edge of the channel and draw a perpendicular line. If the pillars have good load-bearing capacity, anchor bolts will fit well into them. The use of additional metal pillars is not required. If they are not there, then a profile pipe is installed vertically using the prepared embeds. On the support post it can be welded to the edge, on the counter post - from the edge of the post with a deviation ranging from 20 to 50 mm.

When a cantilever gate is installed, the next step is to place the roller carriages into the supporting beam and move it to the central part of the structure. With the help of another person, the canvas will need to be moved vertically over the channel. The roller carriages are moved along different lines, and the stretched rope must touch the guide beam. This position is fixed using stands made of planks.

The operation of the gate needs to be checked, this applies to its horizontality and verticality, which are analyzed in the closed position. If it is necessary to adjust the structure, you should use nuts on studs. The gate must move along a guide. The gaps between the return and support posts should be the same, while from the zero mark to the bottom edge there should be about 100 mm or slightly less. If the cantilever gate moves correctly, the carriage fastening nuts can be tightened, while the platforms are welded around the perimeter.

Conclusion

If you decide to make and install sliding cantilever gates yourself, you must insert the carriages into the supporting beam yourself. In general, carriages are needed to move beams along them, which will ensure the closing and opening of the gate.