If you want electric gates but don't want to see the motors, underground automation is the answer. The motor sits in a steel foundation box buried under each gate, right at the hinge. All you see is the gate opening and closing on its own.
Underground gate automation starts from around £2,400.
How it works
A foundation box is set into concrete in the ground beneath the hinge of each gate. The motor sits inside, and the gate sits on top of it, attached through a lever. When the motor turns, the gate turns with it. The box has a lid that sits flush with the driveway.
Why choose underground motors?
- Clean look. Nothing on the gates or posts – perfect for good-looking gates or listed and period properties.
- Harder to tamper with. The mechanism is out of reach.
- Works with slim posts. The motor doesn't need a big post to mount on.
The things to get right
Underground motors are only as good as the installation. The big one in Northern Ireland is water. A foundation box that fills with water will kill a motor, so every box I fit has proper drainage – into a soakaway or a drain, depending on the ground.
The other things I check:
- the gate is strong and properly balanced, since the motor carries it
- the driveway surface and the ground conditions
- how far the cables need to run back to the control box
Underground vs overground
| Underground | Overground | |
|---|---|---|
| Looks | Hidden | Visible arms on the gates |
| Price | from around £2,400 | from £1,800 |
| Installation | Groundwork needed | Quicker to fit |
| Servicing | A bit more involved | Easy access |
More in comparing gate motor types or see overground gate automation.
The kit I use
I fit DEA System underground motors on domestic and commercial gates, and Fadini underground hydraulics for heavy-duty gates. See hydraulic gate automation.
Fitted safely
As with any powered gate, I fit the right safety devices and force test every installation to BS EN 12453. Underground motors still have a manual release – usually a key in the foundation box lid.
Get a price
Call, text or WhatsApp Adrian on 07855 781433, or send me a message.
Questions people ask me
How much are underground gate motors?
From around £2,400, depending on the gates, groundwork and cable runs.
Do underground motors flood?
Not if the foundation boxes are properly drained, which is part of every installation I do.
Can underground motors be fitted to existing gates?
Often, yes, if the gates are strong and the hinge positions suit. I'll check on site.