The specification
Electric Swing Gates: What You Need to Know
Swing gates remain the most frequently installed gate type on detached Kent properties, and for sound reasons. A pair of leaves opening symmetrically as you arrive delivers a visual statement that a single sliding panel does not quite replicate. The format is mature: the motor technology, hinge engineering, and safety systems are all well understood, which means the installer population capable of executing the job reliably is larger than for any other gate type.
The motor specification defines the character of the entrance as much as the gate material. Underground motors sit in a chamber below the post and are completely hidden when the gate is closed, producing an uncluttered entrance that reads as architecture rather than equipment. This is the standard specification across the West Kent premium market in Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, and Westerham. Ram-arm motors fix to the rear faces of gate and post, visible from inside the property. They are easier to service, cost less, and work well on retrofit projects where existing post foundations cannot accommodate excavation.
Clearance is the suitability test. Each gate leaf must complete its full 90-degree arc without hitting vehicles, steps, raised borders, or anything else within the sweep path. Kent driveways that slope toward the house, common along the North Downs ridge and through the Wealden hills, add a further consideration: the bottom edge of the leaf traces a descending path as it opens, and the motor and hinge specification must account for this. An experienced installer walks the full arc on site before committing to any specification.
Benefits of Electric Swing Gates
Architectural Presence at the Entrance
Paired gates opening from a central point create an entrance statement that a sliding leaf does not achieve. For Kent period properties, detached family homes, and any entrance designed to be noticed, swing gates are the natural format.
Lower Installed Cost on Standard Driveways
No track foundation and less groundwork means a swing installation is typically £500 to £2,000 less than an equivalent sliding system on a flat site with a standard opening width.
Concealed Motor Option for Premium Properties
Underground motors are the expected specification in the Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells belt. They keep the entrance visually clean and are available on both new installations and most retrofit projects where post foundations allow.
Pedestrian Access Without Full Gate Cycle
A half-width pedestrian leaf or integrated wicket gate allows foot access without triggering the main motor. Practical on properties with regular deliveries, visitors, or family members who walk through rather than drive.
Electric Swing Gates Across Kent
Installers cover the whole county. These are the main towns enquiries come from, or see every area covered.
Are Electric Swing Gates Right for Your Property?
Swing gates suit most Kent residential properties where the driveway geometry allows:
- The driveway has sufficient depth for gate leaves to open fully inward without blocking parked vehicles or the road
- The gradient is manageable with standard or articulated hinge engineering, or the driveway is level
- The opening is up to 5 metres, within the range where swing gate post loads remain structurally practical
- The architectural character of the property calls for paired gates opening at a central point
- Cost is a relevant factor and the site does not specifically demand a sliding system
A site survey is always the right starting point. Your installer will assess the driveway, check planning position if relevant, and give you a firm recommendation based on what the site actually allows.
The Installation Process
Survey and Arc Clearance Check
The installer measures the opening, walks the full swing arc checking for obstructions, assesses pillar condition and foundation depth, and confirms motor type based on gate weight, post condition, and gradient.
Post and Foundation Work
New posts are set in reinforced concrete. Underground motor chambers are excavated and formed where specified. Conduit for power, intercom, and keypad wiring is run before surface reinstatement.
Gate Hanging and Motor Installation
Gate leaves are hung and aligned. Motors are fitted into chambers or mounted to post faces. Photocell sensors are positioned for full arc coverage and all wiring is terminated.
Programming and Safety Handover
Travel limits and force limits are set and tested to BS EN 12453. Remote handsets and access control devices are programmed. The manual release is demonstrated and a written commissioning record provided.
Plan your project
Electric Swing Gates Pricing Guide
Driveway gate prices across Kent vary depending on the gate type, material, automation requirements, and design complexity. Below are guide prices for Kent installations. All prices are in GBP, include installation, and are indicative until a site survey.
Electric Swing Gates (Fully Installed)£3,800 – £11,500
Gate + motor + posts + remotes
Covers gate fabrication or supply, post foundations, underground or ram-arm motors, two remote handsets, and BS EN 12453 compliant safety sensors. Underground motors and bespoke wrought iron designs sit toward the top of the range. The most widely installed gate type across Kent.
What's Included in the Price
- Free site survey with no obligation to proceed
- Bespoke gate design and workshop fabrication
- All groundwork, post foundations, and concrete work
- Automation motor, control board, remotes, and safety sensors
- Intercom, keypad, or proximity reader wiring where specified
- Full BS EN 12453 commissioning, testing, and written handover
