Counterbalance space and concrete pad specifications
A cantilever gate requires straight side run-back behind one pier of approximately 1.35 to 1.40 times the clear entrance width, and a single reinforced C30/35 concrete counterbalance pad (€600 to €2,000) poured behind that pier to anchor the two roller carriages and the motor.
Exact opening-to-tail lookup table and concrete pad dimensions for builders, groundworkers and homeowners.
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Calculate your cantilever gate cost and run-back space
Pick the gate material, your entrance width and whether you need a concrete counterbalance pad poured behind the pier.
Estimated fitted price
€5,700 to €8,800 fitted
Gate & carriages: €4,800–€6,800 · Counterbalance pad: +€900–€2,000
Guide price for an electric galvanised steel cantilever sliding gate (with composite, timber or railed infill). Because a trackless cantilever gate hangs suspended 70mm–90mm above the driveway with a 35% counterbalance tail, allow 5.7m to 7.5m of straight side run-back behind your pier. No ground rail or trench is needed across the driveway opening.
Book a local site survey & quoteExact counterbalance tail and total gate length by entrance width
| Clear opening (pier to pier) | Counterbalance tail (35%–38%) | Total cantilever gate length | Minimum clear side run-back behind pier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 m | 1.10 to 1.15 m | 4.10 to 4.15 m | 4.25 m |
| 3.6 m (typical semi / detached) | 1.25 to 1.35 m | 4.85 to 4.95 m | 5.05 m |
| 4.0 m (standard rural entrance) | 1.40 to 1.50 m | 5.40 to 5.50 m | 5.60 m |
| 4.5 m (wide rural entrance) | 1.60 to 1.70 m | 6.10 to 6.20 m | 6.30 m |
| 5.0 m (large domestic / farm) | 1.75 to 1.90 m | 6.75 to 6.90 m | 7.00 m |
| 6.0 m (commercial yard) | 2.10 to 2.30 m | 8.10 to 8.30 m | 8.45 m |
| 8.0 m (heavy commercial / HGV) | 2.80 to 3.10 m | 10.80 to 11.10 m | 11.30 m |
Why 35%–38%? The distance from the centre of the front carriage behind the pier to the centre of the rear carriage must be roughly one-third of the total gate length so the lever arm doesn't overload the bearings.
How big is the concrete counterbalance pad behind the pier?
Because the rear roller carriage pulls downwards when the gate is open and holds the gate from tipping upwards when the gate is extended across the driveway, the concrete pad acts as a dead-weight anchor:
- Domestic openings up to 4.2m: A single trench behind the main pier measuring 1,600mm to 2,000mm long × 450mm to 500mm wide × 400mm to 500mm deep, poured with C30/35 concrete and A393 steel mesh / rebar cage.
- Wide domestic & commercial openings (4.5m to 7.0m): Pad length increases to 2,200mm to 3,000mm long × 550mm wide × 500mm to 600mm deep to match the wider carriage spacing.
- Pad top level: Finished dead level and typically 80mm to 100mm below finished driveway level (or flush, depending on carriage height) so the bottom of the gate leaf clears the driveway by 75mm–90mm.
- Anchor bolts: Four M16 or M20 threaded studs per carriage (either cast into the wet concrete on a jig plate or drilled and bonded with high-strength epoxy resin after curing for 7+ days).
Ducting to lay into the pad before pouring concrete
Bring three smooth-bore ducts up into the motor zone between the two carriage positions: (1) a 50mm duct from the house distribution board for the 230V SWA power cable, (2) a 40mm duct running under the entrance to the opposite catch pier for the outer/inner photocell and safety edge cables, and (3) a 40mm duct to your keypad or intercom post.
What a cantilever sliding gate costs in Ireland
Our price guide for manual, electric steel, aluminium and commercial trackless cantilever gates, counterbalance pads and access control.
| Job | Typical cost | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Manual steel cantilever sliding gate, fitted | €2,800 to €4,200 | Hot-dip galvanised steel frame with enclosed bottom monorail, twin 8-wheel roller carriages & catch post |
| Electric steel cantilever sliding gate (domestic), fitted | €3,800 to €6,800 | Galvanised steel leaf + 35% counterbalance tail, twin carriages, rack motor, safety edges, beams & 2 remotes |
| Electric powder-coated aluminium cantilever gate, fitted | €4,800 to €8,500 | Lightweight rust-proof marine-grade aluminium frame, monorail channel, carriages, motor & EN 12453 safety |
| Commercial wide-span cantilever gate (5m to 9m clear opening) | €5,500 to €12,000 | Heavy-duty box frame & structural monorail track, 3-phase or intensive 24V motor, safety edges & beams |
| Reinforced concrete counterbalance pad & anchors | €600 to €2,000 | Excavated C30/35 concrete block poured behind one pier only — no trenching across the driveway surface |
| GSM mobile opener, wireless keypad or video intercom | €400 to €1,500 | Ring-to-open SIM module, backlit entry keypad, or smartphone app video intercom |
| Armoured SWA power cable run from house | €200 to €600 | Dedicated 230V supply in underground ducting to the motor plinth behind the pier |
Real examples and installation detail
Get a cantilever gate price for your entrance
Pick the gate specification, your driveway surface and your county. Your enquiry goes to one vetted cantilever gate fabricator and installer covering your county to check your opening and side run-back.
Questions homeowners ask
Can the counterbalance pad be hidden under gravel or lawn behind the wall?
Mostly, yes. The top of the concrete pad sits behind the front boundary wall and only the two steel roller carriage baseplates and the motor plinth need to protrude above ground level; gravel or decorative stone can be dressed neatly around the carriage plates.
How long does a new concrete pad need to cure before hanging a cantilever gate?
If threaded J-bolts are cast into the wet concrete on steel mounting plates, the gate can often be hung 5 to 7 days after pouring. If chemical resin anchors are being drilled into the concrete, installers leave C30/35 concrete 7 to 14 days so the core reaches full pull-out strength.
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