Lighting Automation
Automated scenes, schedules, and mood lighting — controlled from anywhere.
Comparisons
Sliding or swing gates
Sliding-gate automation needs room along the fence and a clear track. Swing gates need room where the leaf stops. A motor will not fix a gate that will not move by hand.
Jun 25, 2026 · NextTek
Short answer: if there is room along the fence and you can keep the track clear of snow, sliding gates are usually easier. If there is no side room but the leaf can stop in the yard, swing gates remain. In both cases, check first that the gate moves easily by hand.
Sliding
The leaf runs along the fence. Snow is the usual reason the motor whines and the gate stays put. Heavier leaves need a stronger, more expensive motor. On a steep drive, sliding is kinder because the leaf does not fall toward the car.
Swing
Two leaves open in or out. Hinges must not sag, and the leaf needs a place to stop without hitting the car. Snow matters less if the leaf does not drag. Opening outward onto a narrow street often blocks the pavement.
Both need the same safety
Photocells and a stop if something is in the way. A remote stays in the car. The phone helps for deliveries and needs internet. Most motors have a key to release the gate when the power fails.
If the gate already moves, motor, photocells, and installation on a house are often about 900–2500 euro. A new leaf or a long cable is extra. More on the gate automation page and the intercom.
Short answers
Will a motor fix a heavy stuck gate?
No. If the gate does not move easily by hand, fix the hinges or the track first. A motor will not fix a heavy gate, it will just wear out faster and start to whine.
What do automatic sliding gates cost?
Often about 900–2500 euro for the drive with photocells and fitting, if the gate is already there and moves. A new leaf or a long cable comes on top. Exact price after a visit.
Do I clear the track in winter?
Yes. Ice and snow on the track are the usual reason sliding gates stop in winter. Clear the track before the frost sets in, not once the motor is already straining.
What happens in a power cut?
Most motors have a release key that frees the drive so you can open the gate by hand. Ask the installer where it is before you need it in the dark.
Can I open the gate with my phone?
Yes, if the drive has a Wi‑Fi or GSM module. The phone helps with deliveries and guests, but it needs a connection, so keep the remote in the car.
Are photocells required?
NextTek does not fit automatic gates without them. Photocells stop the gate if a car, a child or a dog is in the way. That is safety, not an extra.
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