Guide to installing a sliding gate and its motorization
Do you want to install your sliding gate yourself? Or simply understand the steps that a professional will follow in order to install it according to the rules of the art? We detail each stage of installing a sliding gate, from the masonry to the installation of the sliding gate, up to the installation of the gate automation and its connection.
Sliding gate installation video
Installing a sliding gate yourself, what you need to know before you start
Before you start ordering your future gate or installing it, it is important to find out about the following points.
Why install it yourself?
The first reason will be the price. You can order a portal on the internet, or even make it yourself. Installation will only cost you time.
The advantage of doing the work is that you know what you have done. It’s easier to keep your gate in good condition, but also to know where the electrical conduits are located. Plus, it’s satisfying to have achieved the pose.
Legislation and the town planning code
First of all, you will need to contact your town hall to find out the rules to follow. The height, the color, the filling of the gate (solid or openwork), there may be rules depending on the location of your home.
The necessary tools for easy installation.
A well-prepared job site always goes well. For this you will need a certain number of tools. Without this tool, it will be difficult to do a correct installation. If you are missing expensive tools, you can rent them directly from DIY stores or on peer-to-peer ad sites.
Here is the list of essential tools:
For masonry
- A tracing rope, to mark your trench and the gate threshold
- A shovel and a pickaxe to dig the trench and the location of the threshold
- A mixer or concrete mixer to make the concrete threshold
- A mason’s rule
- A spirit level or a laser level
For installing the gate
- Pencil for marking
- A plumb line to check the plumbness of the leaf
- A perforator for fixings
- A drill driver to drill metal plates and screw the elements
- A concrete forest game
- A metal forest game
- A hammer
- A grinder with concrete and metal disc
- Clamps and wedges to support the gate during installation
For installing the automation
- A set of screwdrivers
- Electrician’s tape
- Cutting pliers
For your safety, remember to use all the personal protective equipment recommended for each tool.
The steps of installing a sliding gate
The serious things begin. The first step will be the creation of the plans in order to be guided throughout your installation. The electrical plan as well as the masonry plan will be necessary to carry out your project.
Creation of plans
Electrical plan
The electrical plan will depend on the motor used, but also on the number of accessories. It is essential to design this plan in order to be able to install the electrical conduits in the concrete threshold and through the pillars. Our guide to electrical conduit layout plan for sliding gate will help you choose where and how to pass your ducts.
Masonry plan
After making the electrical plan, comes the masonry plan. Here, the plan will be made according to the constraints linked to your gate and the motorization. This plan will include the threshold, the pillars and the surrounding walls so as not to leave anything to chance. Check out our guide to prepare the masonry plan for sliding gate.
Creating the portal threshold
It’s time to get to work. You will start by making the concrete base.
The concrete base will be the basis of the strength of your gate. It must be carried out according to the rules of the art and according to the DTU.
The creation of the threshold is done in 7 steps:
- Tracing
- Excavation
- Reinforcement
- Formwork
- Passage of electrical conduits
- Pouring concrete
- Finishes
Would you like more details on each step? Follow our guide to make a sliding gate threshold.
Installation of the sliding gate
Let’s move on to installing the sliding gate. We will start with the installation of the pillars and guide rails, and finish with the installation of the gate itself. If you have masonry pillars, the guide rails will be directly on them.
Installation of pillars and guide rails
Fixing the pillars
In case you have concrete pillars, you can skip this step.
To attach the pillars, you will need:
- A perforator and concrete drills
- Anchors for concrete, like hammering dowels
- Screws and dowels
- A hammer
- A mason’s rule
First, place your posts on the threshold. Measure the center distance carefully and make sure they are aligned using the ruler.
Next, trace the locations of the mounting holes as well as the outline of the pillar base. This will help you get your bearings.
With the hole punch, drill all the holes necessary for fixing. Take a drill bit of the diameter corresponding to the dowels to be struck.
Consult our guide to find out which is the best fixing for electric gates.
Once the holes are ready, position the pillars and fix them. Level them with a spirit level or plumb line. Install small wedges between the post and the ground before tightening to maintain plumb.
Installation of guide rails
The guide rails support the weight of the gate and allow it to run smoothly. It is important to position them correctly.
Start by identifying their location in relation to the pillar. The distance is given to you in the installation instructions.
If your rails are not pre-drilled, make holes every 30 cm on each side of it so that you can attach it to the floor. Transfer these holes to the threshold and drill them to the diameter of the dowels.
Lay the rail and screw it into the dowels.
Your rail is installed. It remains to install the sliding gate.
Installation of the sliding gate
First, present the gate on the guide rail. Locate the location of the upper guide on the post and attach it.
The gate slides easily on the rail and will be guided by the Teflon rollers on the upper guide. This is when you need to adjust the level of the gate by adjusting the Teflon rollers.
Loosen them and adjust the level of your gate. Once the adjustment is perfect, tighten the nuts.
Now, it is time to install all the gate accessories such as the striker, the rear stop and all the finishing covers.
Installation of the sliding gate motorization
Adding a motor to your sliding gate is a real plus for your comfort. In this part, we detail how to motorize a sliding gate.
You will need the following:
- The motorization kit adapted to your sliding gate
- Electrical cables
- Electrical sheath
- Concrete fixings
First of all, check the compatibility between your gate and your motorization. The weight of the leaf, the width, but also the means of fixing will need to be checked.
Motor mounting
Position the motor base in its final location in order to mark the location of the fixings on the ground.
Drill the holes and cut the electrical conduit. Then, inject the chemical sealant into the holes or concrete anchors. Permanently secure the base of your motor.
Disassemble the motor housing, then install it in its location on the base. Be careful not to trap the electrical wires under the motor. After adjusting the motor parallel to the gate, tighten the nuts firmly.
Fixing the rack
Once the motor is installed, you must install the rack which will allow the motor to drive the gate. Take the greatest care at this stage, because it is this which will define the reliability of your engine and also its noise.
To begin, disengage the motor so you can turn the gear by hand.
Position the gate at maximum opening and place the rack on the pinion; it should protrude 15 to 20 cm from the pinion. The first rack section must be installed level and have a clearance of 1 millimeter relative to the pinion. Secure it with self-drilling screws, then install the other sections following the same rules. It may be useful to cut the last rack segment.
Positioning of the limit switches
After checking that your gate slides easily and that the racks are properly installed, install the limit switches on the rack.
Nothing could be simpler, put your leaf in the closed position and tighten the limit switch to record its maximum position. Do the same in the open position.
Installing accessories
Installation of photocells
The installation height of the cells will be around 50 cm from the ground and 15 to 20 cm from the gate. To install the sensors, remove the cover. Position the sensor and locate the holes to drill. Drill, install the dowels then replace the sensor. Secure it with screws.
Installation of the signal flasher, the rotating beacon
The flashing indicator must be visible from the street. Generally it is installed on the pillar so that it is visible from the inside as well as the outside.
Remove its cover, locate the drilling locations. Drill and place the dowels. Secure the base with screws.
Installation of additional accessories
The accessories, such as the electric strike, the digital code, the automatic sabots, the key selector, the electric limit switches are installed in the same way as the previous two. However, you will have to think about the routing of the different cables beforehand.
If the cables are not installed, we advise you to use trunking to match the color of your pillar.
Connection of elements
Before any connection, turn off the general electricity in your home. Be careful if you have an electrical box before the house.
Then connect all the elements according to the wiring instructions. Check all connections before powering on.
Powering up and configuring the automatic gate
Check all your connections one last time and put the gate in automatic mode using the release key.
Turn the circuit breaker to ON and follow the start-up procedure in your instructions. Check the operation of the limit switches, photocells and all additional accessories that you have installed.
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Installing a sliding gate and motorizing it is a real project that must be well prepared. The installation is within the reach of all people who DIY. However, if you are in doubt about a step, do not hesitate to call a professional.
Installing a sliding gate requires suitable equipment to guarantee a successful installation. To choose the best engine that will make this task easier, read our full article on the best sliding gate motor.
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