Selecting Your Driveway Gate

Swing Gates

SWING GATES are the easiest type of gate to install and are the most common type of gate used for residences and small-medium sized properties. Bi-Parting Swing Gates take up less driveway space than a single gate and are recommended for driveways over 18 Ft. wide. Typically, Swing Gates open inwards towards the property but if the driveway slopes or curves sharply, an outward opening gate is recommended. Please read the article regarding GATE SETBACKS for more information.

Some advantages of Bi-Parting Swing Gates are; they are less affected by wind and cause less stress on posts, hinges and gate operator motors (if automated). However, if automation is required, each gate leaf will need a gate operator and a trench will need to be dug across the driveway to house the electronic connection between the two operators,

Situations where a Swinging Gate could be used over a Sliding Gate are:

• The driveway has no fence or wall for the sliding gate to "slide behind".
• The driveway is

Single or Bi-Parting Swing Gates

Swing gates are available as single or double (bi-parting). A single swing gate is the most economical and easiest to install of all gate systems. This also holds true for the automation on single swing gates. Single swing gates have a practical limited width of about 16'. Gates wider than 16' do exist and gate operators are available to handle 20' wide gates.

Bi-parting swing gates are considered the most elegant entryways. Bi-parting gates can be much larger; up to 32'. Commonly, most gates are between 12’- 24’ in width. For a clean, well-designed appearance do not allow for more than 1" space between leaves on b

Wooden In-Fill or Solid Gates:

Wooden gates can be quite beautiful however there

Slide gates are most commonly used for commercial gate automation systems. However, slide gates are an excellent choice for residential driveway gate automation when the site has size limitations. Typically, slide gate operators are used for large, single leaf gates but dual or bi-parting configurations are an option.

In general, a slide gate installation takes more talent and money to get right and should only be attempted by do-it-yourselfers with good mechanical skills.

This article addresses gate types, gate components, gate hardware, installation tips and driveway gate automation.

Guide Rollers & Guide Extensions:

As the name implies, the guide rollers guide the gate on its path and keep the gate upright. They are constructed of hard plastic, or rubber and are available in varying lengths from 3” - 12”. Guide rollers can be stacked to accommodate gates with tall center designs.

A roller guide extension is welded to the gate frame, and leads the gate through the roller guide assembly.