What Is a Cantilever Gate and When Should You Use One?

A cantilever gate is a sliding gate that operates without a ground track. Instead of wheels running along a rail in the ground, it is counterbalanced and supported entirely from the post side — the gate 'floats' as it slides.

When to use a cantilever gate

• The surface is uneven, sloped, or likely to shift (e.g. gravel, pavers, areas that frost)
• The entrance has high vehicle traffic and a track would be a trip hazard or get filled with debris
• A clean, flush entrance is required for aesthetic or practical reasons
• The gate spans a wide opening (cantilever designs can span 8m+ reliably)

Installation requirements

Cantilever gates require a longer post and counterbalance arm — typically 1.5x the gate width of clear space behind the post. They are heavier to install but virtually maintenance-free compared to tracked systems.

Edgesmith stocks cantilever gate hardware and can assist with specification at edgesmith.co.nz.