Glass sliding doors let in light, but the aluminium latch is the weak point, and many owners fit a security gate for the sliding door in front of it. The gate can slide on its own track, fold to the side or swing outward. Tell us the opening width and what sits outside the glass, and gate makers and installers near you quote you directly.
Sliding, folding or hinged
Three layouts work in front of a patio slider:
- Sliding gate: a bar panel on a top track, in line with the glass. It leaves the opening clear when parked and needs a stack space the same width as the panel.
- Folding or expanding gate: stacks tight to one side. See expanding security gates.
- Hinged double gate: two leaves swing outward. It needs paving space and strong fixing to the wall.
Sliding gates are favoured on wide openings of 2.4 m and more, where hinged leaves become heavy. Whichever you choose, the gate should be taller than the glass handle line and the bars close enough that a hand cannot reach through to the latch. Ask about a bar spacing of 100 mm or less.
Inside or outside the glass
An outside gate protects the glass as well, so a thief cannot cut or lever the frame. An inside gate is out of the weather and lasts longer but leaves the glass exposed. Most installers fit outside on a covered patio or stoep and inside where the door opens straight onto a garden. Check the sliding door itself opens fully, since a gate fixed too close can jam the handle or lift-out the door.
Track, rollers and fixing
A top-hung gate hangs from rollers in a rail fixed to the lintel, which keeps the floor clear and avoids grit. A bottom-running gate sits on a floor track and is cheaper, but needs sweeping. A good installer also fits a guide at the floor to stop swaying, and a stop at each end. Fixing is into the lintel and wall with long anchors; hollow blocks need chemical anchors or through bolts. See security door installation for what to expect.
Measuring and cost
Measure the glass and the full opening, then the stack space beside it, in millimetres. Note the height to the lintel at both ends, since few lintels are level. Cost depends on width, steel, track and lock. Wider panels need extra rollers and a stronger rail, and awkward fixing into hollow block or old plaster adds labour. Most suppliers will visit to check these before confirming a final price. See security gates for the general picture. Get at least three quotes, and ask each to state the track type and roller count so you compare like for like.
What to include in your request
- Full opening width and height in mm
- Free wall space beside the opening for the stack
- Gate outside or inside the glass
- Top track or floor track
- Wall type and lintel condition
Sliding Door Security Gates for different properties
- Houses: a track gate over the patio slider that slides open on summer evenings
- Townhouses and complexes: a gate in the approved colour that stays within the patio line
- Flats and apartments: a light gate over a balcony slider that does not stick out of the building
- Farms and smallholdings: wide sliding gates over farmhouse stoep doors, fixed with chemical anchors
- Shops and restaurants: a sliding gate behind the glass on a rear delivery door
- Offices and practices: a neat sliding gate over a boardroom or patio door that opens to a garden
- Factories and warehouses: sliding gates on wide loading doors where hinged leaves are too heavy
- Schools, clinics and churches: sliding gates for hall and canteen doors, with inside release
Frequently asked questions
How much does a gate for a sliding door cost?
Will the gate stop me opening the glass door?
Can burglar bars be fitted over the glass instead?
What lock does a sliding gate have?
Sliding Door Security Gates by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg