How to make and install a sliding gate with your own hands
Sliding gates are comfortable and reliable products that were considered a luxury item a few years ago and cost a lot of money. They have many advantages - reliability, easy handling, high durability, space saving, functionality. all this fully justifies the investment. Moreover, there are many options and models that can be used for fencing yards of different sizes. But still it is worth considering how you can make a sliding gate with your own hands. Of course, this process requires some knowledge, manufacturing is not such an easy thing, but if all the steps and principles are followed, then the result will be a reliable and durable design.
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Features of sliding gates with your own hands
If for about 15-20 years, sliding gates were the main attribute of rich courtyards and fencing large areas of industrial complexes, now they are often found in the private sector. They are used for fencing yards, garages, and even for summer cottages.
Among the positive features of sliding gates are:
- Compact dimensions. This property is especially important for those cases when the yard is small enough or the area of travel between neighboring areas is limited. Structures will never be able to harm a passing car with flaps and other parts.
- High wear resistance. Hinged gates have hinges that sag over time under the weight of the sashes, this adversely affects the quality of the products. But as for the sliding structures, they do not have such problems, they have an even distribution of weight over roller bearings.
- Excellent protection and safety. The products have a solid construction that does not lend themselves to breaking. A well-designed system is able to withstand a ramming of even the heaviest vehicles.
- Robust construction withstands heavy wind gusts, blizzards, hurricanes.
- Simple and convenient control.
This is just a part of the positive qualities that sliding gates have. But still, even they make it possible to understand that these devices are really reliable and functional.
Types of structures
All types of structures are similar in appearance, they differ in the way the rollers move when opening and closing structures. In each system, mechanisms with a roller device are used, but their installation is carried out in different ways.
Hanging sliding gates
The design of the structures allows them to be suspended. Carts with a roller mechanism are installed on the support beam; the gate leaf moves along them, which is fixed on the posts in the upper area of the roadway. They work on the same principle as conventional sliding gates.
If you decide to make these particular gates, be sure to purchase high-quality elements to fasten the structure.They must be made of durable material, it is better to buy them in specialized hardware stores.
Steel material is suitable for hanging gates. It must have an additional galvanized or PVC coating. This will increase the resistance of the structure to various negative weather events.
Fencing products open along the wall, so they do not require additional space. If desired, they can be supplemented with an electric drive, this will ensure convenient use and control.
Among the advantages of the structures are:
- Hanging gates are compact products, they significantly save space and do not take up a large area.
- High strength. Thanks to this, the structure is able to withstand negative weather conditions and strong winds.
- It is not required to carry out additional cleaning of the territory of the entrance in front of the house from snow.
Diy cantilever sliding gates
This type of design is the most common. It has a counterweight sash mounted on cantilever blocks. The main advantage of the product is that there is no contact between the lower bearing beam and the roadway.
Despite the fact that the products are in demand, it is very difficult to make them with your own hands. A console or channel is used as a basis. This element holds the sash of the structure when opening and closing the gate.
Modern models do not have bottom and top guides. Thanks to this, the car can safely drive into the yard. The canvas is suspended on a special beam, which is installed on rollers, it is the surface of the product that is moved.
The advantages of cantilever sliding gates include:
- The wide opening provides comfortable movement of the car without a particular risk of sudden damage to the elements of the protective structure.
- High security and burglary protection.
- For ease of control, you can install a special automatic drive.
- The canvas is located at a height of 10 cm from the surface of the earth, therefore snowfall, dirt do not have a negative effect on the condition of the product.
- Strong material, strong foundation of the console allows the structure to withstand heavy loads, strong wind.
- The gate has no sash elements, so the structures take up little space in the yard.
DIY sliding rail gates
Gates with a rail device are considered a popular option; they are often installed at the entrance to the courtyard. A rail is used as a support; the canvas is moved along it with a roller.
The rail is installed along the line of movement of the gate, flush with the road. Thanks to this, high safety is maintained during the passage of the car. The maximum span between the posts should be 6 meters.
Do not install a gate with a rail mechanism in regions with frequent snow drifts. Snow can clog into the rail device, resulting in ice formation, which will interfere with the normal operation of the gate.
The advantages include:
- The sash has a supporting element, so there will be no sagging during operation.
- The gate has a fairly simple device, so you can easily make them yourself.
- The sash has a compact size, does not require much space, and is equal to the width of the entrance opening.
DIY roller sliding gates
Roller gates are usually installed in the area of the entrance to the yard. But for garage they don't fit. The fact is that the products have a solid structure, and the walls of the garage building do not always allow placing the canvas. In addition, the mechanism cannot be placed completely to the side when the gate is opened.
The product device has a guide profile that is attached to the bottom of the product.In addition, there is a roller mechanism with bearings, a frame and other components that are required to fasten and hold the gate.
Device and principle of operation
Before making a sliding gate with your own hands, you should study their structure and principle of operation. The most popular option is the cantilever design, but it is very difficult to make it yourself. But these products are great for regions with constantly changing weather conditions.
The construction and installation of console-type gates does not require large financial investments. But first it is worth considering the principle of operation of the product.
The basis of cantilever sliding gates includes the following elements:
- Canvas. Main frame, to which the inner frame and counterweight are welded. These parts are fixed to the supporting beam. The cladding can be attached on one or two sides.
- Mortgage. This is a channel that is firmly welded to the reinforcement cage and is poured with a foundation base flush with the ground surface. This is the main element, console blocks, automatic drive are fixed on it.
- Console blocks. Support mechanisms with a roller device, they are attached to the channel by welding. Their installation is carried out in an area with a supporting bottom beam. This is the basis of the product; increased loads are placed on it. With the help of it, the free movement of the canvas is carried out, therefore, it is worth approaching the setting up of the console blocks with all responsibility.
- Catchers. Traps (lower and upper) are attached to the area with the support pillar, this area is opposite the foundation under the roller supports. When closing, the end roller passes into the area of the lower trap. The web rises by 5 mm, thereby eliminating the weight exerted on the cantilever block area. The upper trap ensures tight closure, prevents windage (sash loosening during wind).
- Upper fixing holder with rollers. The element is placed on the console post area above the blocks. It is required to protect against loosening and distortion of the sash when moving.
- Automatic drive. The choice of this element depends on the weight of the product and the climatic conditions of the region. Installation is carried out in accordance with the instructions.
Features of the selection of an automatic drive
When considering options for sliding gates, you should pay attention to models with an automatic drive, this element is not required, but its presence greatly simplifies operation, eliminates the need for great efforts when opening the doors. After installing it, you will not need to constantly leave the car to roll back the gate.
For gates, it is worth using special electric drives, but you can make this element yourself.
In this case, use a motor and gearbox with a suitable power. For small and not very heavy structures, an inexpensive garage door operator is suitable.
The drives should be chosen depending on the weight of the structure:
- products weighing 250-300 kg are used with a power of 200-250 W;
- shutters weighing 500-600 kg, a power of 350-400 W will be suitable;
- products weighing from 800 kg to 1 ton - 500-600 W.
When choosing an automatic drive, special attention should be paid to the power indicator. For regions with harsh winters, it is preferable to purchase options with a margin of 20-30%, so that the engine works without interruption at low temperatures. This element is installed only after all work on the manufacture and installation of the gate.
How to make a sliding gate with your own hands
Before manufacturing, it is worth considering how the gate is arranged, what device it has, you can watch a video with popular product models, step by step production. All these materials will help to make a high-quality and reliable design.If you doubt your abilities, it is better to use the help of professionals, but be prepared for the fact that customization will be quite expensive.
It is better to make simple gates without automation and other bells and whistles with your own hands. In the process, you will not encounter unforeseen problems due to which you may have to stop working. If all the steps and rules are followed, then the result will be a reliable and durable design.
Instrument preparation
Before proceeding with the construction of a retractable structure, it is worth preparing the required inventory.
You should have tools from the list at hand:
- Bulgarian;
- welding machine;
- hammer;
- screwdriver;
- level;
- roulette for important calculations;
- shovels.
Almost everyone has tools from the above list at home, the only exception is the welding machine. If finances allow, then you can buy it. If money is tight, then you can borrow this device from friends or relatives.
Creation of drawings and diagrams
For the manufacture of sliding gates, drawings and diagrams will be required, which should be done before starting work. A detailed video instruction on the Internet will help you make a drawing indicating the exact measurements and calculations. With it, you can calculate the amount of materials required, taking into account the stock.
The frame part is made by welding a pipe with dimensions 60x40 mm. Then two vertical pipes with parameters 60x40 mm are attached, each is 2 meters long. The first is attached to the edge, the second goes 4.4 meters from the edge of the horizontal pipe.
Further, to the area of the upper ends of these pipes, a horizontal one with a length of 4.4 meters is welded. The free edge of the lower horizontal element and the edge of the upper one are fixed with a pipe, observing an angle of 256 cm.
The frame area is filled with vertical pipes 40x20 mm. After that, you can mark the power frame.
If you decide to make a product without a foundation, then you do not need to mark it on the diagram, but still, without it, the product will turn out to be so strong and stable. The foundation is made by digging, it is better to make a U-shaped pit with a depth of at least 1.5 meters.
With an opening length of 4 meters, the section should be at least 6 meters. The road clearance on the diagram must be marked with a length of at least 75 mm.
The power frame is made of a channel (its length must be at least 2.2 meters and a width of 20 cm). Reinforcement with a height of 150 cm is also used for it. These elements must be in a perpendicular relationship to each other.
The entire structure must be concreted, then a platform for the drive and a stand are attached to it. Then the rollers are attached: the lower ones to the stand, and the upper ones to the column. The upper and lower traps are fixed on the opposite table.
DIY sliding gates and material selection
After preparing the drawings, you can proceed to the selection of material for the frame part of the gate.
The interior can be made from:
- Decking. It has excellent aesthetic and strength characteristics.
- Sheet material. It has high strength and durability. The sheets are heavy and difficult to stack.
- Forged items. With the help of them, you can make a real work of art out of the gate, give them individuality. However, they are expensive.
- Wood. Natural wood has a beautiful pattern that will emphasize the individuality of the gate, make it more refined and rich. But it is worth remembering that this material has low performance, it needs to be regularly treated with protective agents.
When choosing forged elements or wood products, it should be borne in mind that reinforced parts of accessories are suitable for the gate. To improve strength, it is worth using additional accessories.
For the construction of a sliding system, screw piles are often used. They are made within 3-4 days. If a concrete base is used, work should be carried out in warm and dry weather. It takes a month to dry the material, and this increases the duration of the work. For this reason, the use of piles is considered the most convenient option.
Installation of screw piles
When making sliding gates with your own hands, it is worth installing screw piles at the initial stage. The main condition that must be met during the construction of these elements is to maintain rigidity. The fact is that there is an increased load on the pile elements. They should not sink into the ground, even under their own weight.
When constructing piles, a profile pipe with the required parameters and a pipe lathing will be required. The frame should be pre-treated with a soil solution. Components are selected in accordance with the weight and height of the product.
Installation of piles should be carried out step by step:
- At the first stage, the foundation is laid. The territory is being marked and holes are being dug.
- Next, embedded materials are installed, if desired, pouring from a concrete solution is made.
- If the structure will be equipped with an automatic drive, then the electrical wiring must be made.
- Sequential installation of posts and the entire gate system.
Assembling the frame
The frame part is made of pipes with dimensions 60x60 mm. The area of the ribs of the structure and lintels should be with a section of 20x40 mm.
The assembly of the frame structure is carried out as follows:
- Pipes are measured and cut in accordance with prepared drawings.
- Finished elements must be treated with degreasing agents, coated with paint and solvent.
- All components are laid out on a flat surface.
- The components of the frame web are folded and held by the welding machine.
- Be sure to check the corners of the products, if everything matches, then the final welding is carried out.
- Next, the installation of stiffeners and internal lintels is carried out.
- The lower area of the system is fastened to the supporting beam.
- The surface in the places where welding was carried out is treated with anti-corrosion agents.
Installation of corrugated board
The door cladding must be carried out, for this you can use corrugated board. For fastening, screws with a length of 19 mm and a screwdriver will be used.
The material is then trimmed and adjusted to fit the frame. Then you can start fixing the corrugated board in place. Additionally, you can decorate the pillars with bricks, this will give the gate a more luxurious and chic look.
Necessary fittings
Fittings should be purchased in specialized stores. These elements are selected in accordance with the weight of the entire structure. Some products are capable of supporting up to 400 kilograms. Sometimes on sale there are parts for forged gates that can hold the weight of almost 800 kg.
If simple collars with corrugated sheathing are made, then it is better to use products with a load of up to 400 kg. During the selection of carriages with a roller mechanism, it is worth paying attention to the type of coating, preference should be given to elements made of polymer material.
For the normal operation of sliding gates, the following fittings are required:
- carriages with roller mechanism;
- cover plates;
- guide rail;
- catchers and plugs.
How is the installation of the frame and the gate
So, how to make a sliding gate with your own hands? The work is carried out in stages and in compliance with the necessary principles. After all the components are prepared and assembled, you can proceed to the installation of the frame and the gate.
The frame is attached to the carriages, it is installed according to the level. Then the carriage platforms are lightly attached to the channel system.Control measurements and final welding of the carriage platform are made.
When carrying out work, special attention should be paid to the level indicators, they will indicate the presence of distortions, violations.
Further, welding work is carried out, traps (upper and lower) are fixed, end rollers are installed. They must fall into the area of the lower catching system so that they can completely unload it when closed.
If desired, the gate can be equipped with an automatic drive, it will greatly simplify the operation of the sliding system. It is advisable to purchase a ready-made device and attach it to the structure. The work will be monitored using a remote control. If you wish, you can make this device yourself, but this may require the skills of an electrician. But it is still better to entrust this work to a specialist.
If you decide to make a sliding gate with your own hands, study all the important nuances, principles and features. Previously, it is worth considering the design options, their device. The entire manufacturing process must be carried out step by step in compliance with the rules. Do not forget to pre-draw up drawings and diagrams that will help you do everything accurately without deviations and violations.