Best Hardware Kit for Slatted Framed Gates

A slatted framed gate has the slats welded within the frame rather than attached to the face of the frame, as you can see in the image below.

If this is your choice for your driveway sliding gate, then you have a decision to make when it comes to the hardware it will run on. There are two choices: the guide roller kit or the sliding block kit. 

Both will do the job, but for a slatted framed gate on level ground, most installers will opt for the guide roller kit as it is easier to install and requires less components.

The Two Hardware Options Explained

The difference in the two hardware options is the manner in which they attach to the gate:

Guide Roller Hardware Kit

Guide rollers mount on the post next to the gate and run along the side of the gate as it slides. There’s no guide channel needed on the gate itself and no overhead bracket or support post other than the one already holding the gate.

Sliding Block Hardware Kit  

The sliding block hardware kit requires 2 additional components:

• A guide channel is required to be welded to the back of the gate’s top rail,
• An overhead bracket OR support post is required to attach the C-channel to.

Why The Guide Roller Kit Works For Slatted Framed Gates

There are a few reasons that make it the optimal choice:

• No guide channel needs to be welded to the back of the top rail
• No overhead bracket or additional support post required
• Fewer components overall, which keeps your material costs down

It’s less work to set up and saves around $220 while still offering a smooth operating and reliable opening mechanism for your slatted framed gate. That’s why most gate installation professionals go for the guide roller kit for framed gates on level ground. 

Would you Ever Choose the Sliding Block Kit? 

Guide rollers work best on framed gates with no more than 100mm variance between the left and right heights. That means you need flat ground, or at least reasonably level ground.

This means a sliding block system is better suited to a raked driveway, uneven terrain, or a non-standard gate design.

If your gate is face-mounted rather than framed,  that’s a different setup with different hardware considerations. For battened gates specifically, we’ve covered the hardware decision in a separate post: The Best Hardware Kit for Battened Sliding Gates.

Top Screens Supplies Slatted Framed Gates and Hardware Kits

Top Screens is an aluminium fabricator based in North Brisbane. If you’re looking for a slatted framed gate, our expert team will fabricate one to your exact specifications. You can get a custom quote here or build your gate online here. 

We also provide the hardware you need for your gate installation - whether it's a guide roller hardware kit or a sliding block one. You can add hardware to your custom quote, or order them directly from our online store. 

Any questions? Give us a call on 1300 919 138.