Driveway Gate Installation
A driveway gate is the heaviest thing on any fence and the one that gets used most. Built on posts that are too small, it sags within a year, drags on the concrete and stops latching. Built right, it swings or slides the same way for decades.
We build driveway gates to match new fences and to fit existing ones — in cedar on a steel frame, ornamental steel, aluminum and chain link.
Schedule your no-obligation on-site consultation today.
Swing or Slide?
Double swing gates
Two leaves meeting in the middle. The simplest option for a level driveway, but each leaf needs clear space to swing, usually into the property.
Single swing gates
One leaf for openings up to about 12 feet. Fewer parts, but a longer leaf puts more load on the hinge post.
Sliding gates
The gate rolls along the fence line, so it needs room beside the opening instead of in front of it. The best choice for driveways that slope up from the street, where a swing gate would hit the ground.
Getting the Details Right
Opening width
Twelve feet is a comfortable minimum for a car; 14 to 16 feet if the driveway is approached at an angle or a trailer, boat or RV comes through.
Posts and frames
Steel posts set deep in concrete, and a welded steel frame behind wood cladding, stop the sag that wide all-wood gates develop. Hinges and latches are sized for the gate’s actual weight.
Slope and clearance
A driveway that rises behind the gate limits how far a swing gate can open. We measure the grade across the swing before choosing the style.
Planning Ahead for an Opener
If an automatic opener might be added later, it is far cheaper to plan for it now than to rebuild the gate.
Stronger gate and posts
Openers work best on rigid, well-balanced gates that swing or slide freely by hand.
Power and conduit
An empty conduit laid to the gate post while the ground is open avoids trenching through a finished driveway later. Electrical work is done by a licensed electrician.
Emergency access
Some cities require emergency-vehicle access through locked or automated front-yard gates. We check the rule for your city.
Driveway Gate Cost
Typical price
A driveway gate adds about $1,900 in the cost calculator, which covers a typical wood or metal gate of standard width with its posts and hardware.
What raises it
Openings over 16 feet, sliding track systems, heavy ornamental designs, steep driveways, masonry pillars and opener-ready builds.
Replacing only the gate
An existing fence can often keep its line while the gate and its posts are replaced. See gate repair if the gate itself is sound but sagging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do wooden driveway gates sag?
Weight on a long lever. The leaf pulls the top of the hinge post toward the opening and the frame racks. Steel posts, a steel frame and a diagonal brace running up from the bottom hinge side prevent it.
Does a driveway gate need a permit?
A gate within the allowed fence height is usually treated like the fence. Pillars, walls and gates near the street may be limited by height and sight-distance rules — see your city’s rules.
Can a gate be added to my existing fence?
Yes. A section of fence is removed, new posts are set for the gate’s weight, and the gate is built to match.