10 August 2026 · 3 min read
A sliding gate can be one of the smartest additions to a driveway, especially in Leeds where space is often tight. Unlike swing gates that need clearance to open outwards or inwards, a sliding gate runs along a track parallel to your boundary. That means you keep the full length of your driveway for parking, and you never have to worry about a gate fouling a slope or a parked car. On the projects we've been finishing recently around LS17, sliding gates have been the natural choice for exactly this reason.
Here at CLM Projects we install both timber and metal sliding gates across Leeds and the surrounding parts of West Yorkshire. The one we fitted recently was a wooden sliding gate running on a metal track rail set into a block-paved driveway, with matching timber fence panels either side. When it's done properly, the gate glides open smoothly and sits neatly against the fence line when fully back. Getting to that point, though, depends almost entirely on the groundwork underneath.
The part most people never see is the track. A ground-mounted sliding gate needs a level, well-drained run for the track rail, and that surface has to be solid enough not to shift over the years. If the base moves, the gate binds and stops rolling freely. That's why we treat the base as the real job. On the driveway extension we've been working on in LS17, we took out an old wall, extended the boundary, scratch-coated the new wall and set timber shuttering ready for a proper concrete base before the gate and paving went in. Shuttering and a poured base like that give the track something reliable to sit on, rather than laying it straight onto old or uneven ground.
A few practical points worth thinking about before you commit to a sliding gate:
Run length. A sliding gate needs a clear length of fence or wall to slide back against, roughly the same width as the opening itself. If you don't have that space to one side, a sliding gate may not suit and a swing gate might be the better call. We'll always tell you honestly which one fits your plot.
Drainage. Water and grit are the enemies of any bottom track. We make sure the driveway falls away correctly and that the block paving around the track drains, so debris doesn't build up and jam the rollers.
Posts and support. The gate posts do a lot of work, so they're set in concrete and lined up precisely with the track. On the recent job the metal gate posts went in alongside a dropped kerb, which is worth planning early if you're extending onto the public highway.
Materials. Timber gates look warm and blend with fencing, but need occasional treatment. Metal gates ask for less upkeep but a different look. Either can slide well; it's the track and base that decide how long they keep working smoothly.
Matching it all up. A gate looks its best when it ties in with the driveway and fencing. On our current work the two-tone grey and charcoal block paving, the timber slatted panels and the sliding gate were all planned together so nothing looks bolted on afterwards.
We cover Leeds and nearby areas including Alwoodley, Moortown, Roundhay and the LS17 postcodes, and we handle the full job, groundwork, paving, walls, fencing and gates, so there's one team responsible from start to finish.
If you're weighing up a sliding gate as part of a new or extended driveway, we're happy to look at the space and talk through whether it's the right fit. Get in touch for a quote and we'll give you an honest steer.