A sliding gate rolls parallel to the fence line — cantilever (no ground track) or V-track (with a ground rail) — and is the right answer when swing clearance is limited or the driveway approach is steep. On Orinda projects, Orinda properties are hillside more often than not — driveways climb, curve, and cross drainage; a swing arc that works on paper often collides with a retaining wall or a mature oak on-site.

Berkeley Hills fog cycles and steep decomposed-granite lots mean footings need drainage-first design and finishes must handle daily dew cycling without cupping. That's why every Orinda sliding gate we build begins with a site survey — we measure the opening, check soil and slope, identify utility lines, and confirm swing or slide clearance before a single drawing is issued.

Sliding gates are always steel-framed — the cantilever roller box or V-track wheels demand a rigid frame — with Sapele or white oak infill on the visible face. Aluminum frames are an option for coastal sites.

Steep Orinda approaches often push us toward sliding or bi-fold configurations for automation rather than a wide swing that would foul the grade. We work throughout Orinda Downs, Sleepy Hollow, Glorietta, the Orinda Country Club area, and Ivy Drive. We ship from our Concord workshop, ~15 miles from Orinda, and installation on a sliding driveway gate typically takes two to four days on site.