How to install a driveway gate

On the gate site locate, mark and dig the post holes to accommodate the amount of concrete required by your size of the gate. Once the holes are clean and free of any debris, if desired, place several inches of gravel in the bottom of the hole to facilitate drainage. Place wood blocks or shims as shown in the diagrams above. The tops of the blocks must be level i. Smaller shims can be used to build the tops to the same height. Screw or nail each pile The gates will be lifted on top of these blocks where they will rest during installation.

Be sure to leave enough ground clearance for snow, high water marks, etc. If there is an uneven ground slope, now is the time to be sure the gate will have adequate ground clearance in both the desired open and closed positions.

Be sure to start by installing the gate on the side that is on the higher part of the slope. A driveway with a higher grade on the left side would need to have the left side installed first. Installing them in the reverse order creates the potential for inadvertently installing the 1st gate too low for the 2nd gate to clear the ground as it swings open. One end of the straight edge is then placed where the gate hinges will pivot as the gate s swing into the open position.

Place the gate post in the post hole. Stand gate up on its blocks. Assemble post to the gate using hinge hardware. Ideally, there should be a few inches of concrete encapsulating the bottom of the post to prevent water from being sucked up through the bottom of the post. Tighten hinge hardware so the post is plumb straight up and down , pour concrete hydrate, but not super wet around the post while making sure the post remains plumb both ways.

Both the gate and post should be kept plumb as the hole is filled with concrete. Also, make sure post and gate are square to each other before filling in with concrete. If installing a dual swing, once the 1st gate panel is installed the 2nd gate will sit of the other half of the center block with the hinge side on its own block by the 2nd gate post to be installed.

Repeat step 5 for 2nd gate and post. Allow concrete to set up at least 36 hours, preferably hours before stressing the concrete by opening the gates. Allow the concrete to cure for several more days before putting the gates into service. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. A successful driveway gate installation requires advanced planning and thoughtful execution. Before purchasing a driveway gate system: Step 1: Evaluate the installation site.

Points of Consideration: Which direction will the gate s Need To open? Gates with automatic gate motors are set to swing open and closed only one way or the other i. A sloped driveway will potentially limit the direction of swing.

Trees or other obstructions in the vicinity will potentially limit the direction of swing. Too much curve in the driveway could pose an issue for longer vehicles such as trucks with trailers passing through narrower gates. The distance of gate from road. Allow plenty of room for entering vehicles to pull safely off the road. A single swing gate will require a larger area of clearance to swing fully open compared to a dual swing gate of the same width. How wide do MY gates need to be? A gate situated on a sharp curve will constrain longer vehicles so the gap between the posts should be made wider to accommodate entering and exiting farm equipment, trailers, etc.

Thread the PVC with a string so you can tie it to the opener wire and pull it through when you are ready. This will save you the headaches of drilling into your pillars and will provide an easier mount where your opener can function more freely. And have all your tools ready for the day's work ahead of time. For more, see our installation videos. Search our store. The third and least common residential driveway gate is the overhead design.

There are two styles of overhead gate designs. The first is a sliding door with the track on the top, like a barnyard door. This type of overhead mounted gate works well. The second overhead door style works by moving up to open and down to close in a vertical lift and pivot motion, much like your standard overhead garage door. This gate comes automated and is well-suited for installations where the homeowner does not have sufficient room for a sliding or swinging gate.

It is very secure but expensive to install and is more common for commercial rather than residential areas. One of the most visually distinctive features of each driveway is its shape. Not every driveway gate is straight across on the top and bottom. Gates are often curved or angular, but they can also be custom shaped.

The most common driveway gate shapes are the standard arc, inverted arc, valley, peak, bell curve, and high-low. The gate shape does not significantly impact the price. Standard driveway gates have a curved or arched top with its tallest point in the middle.

An inverted arc gate has a concave curve and is like an upside-down version of the standard arc. The lowest point of this gate is at its center. A valley-shaped gate is similar to the inverted arc.

A peak gate is the exact opposite of a valley. Peak gates are lower on the outer edges and resemble a mountain. A bell curve gate has a graceful curve similar to a standard arc with the tallest point in the center. But instead of flattening out at the outer edges, after a small dip, the ends curve slightly back up. A high-low gate has vertical structural components like bars of metal or wood planks that are even on the bottom but have heights alternating between higher and lower.

This adds visual interest and complexity than a straight visual line made with uniform pieces. For example, a lightweight single swing gate costs much less to install than a heavy overhead model. The installation process includes measuring, digging post holes, setting the gate posts, adding the hinges or slide hardware, hanging the gate, mounting automatic openers, and adding additional accessories.

You can DIY your gate installation for straightforward installations, which can dramatically lower your total cost. Wood gates in swing and slide configurations require special considerations to install. Wood gates require careful and precise installation to prevent sagging and misalignment.

Wood expands and shrinks with moisture and temperature changes, so enough gap must be left between the gate and the posts to avoid binding. It may take longer to install a wood gate than a gate of another material. Not only do you get to choose your material, size, and shape, but you also must select the aesthetic style.

Whether rustic, modern, or artistic, you can easily find a gate to suit your home. Farm-style driveway gates have a casual country feel.

They look rustic and are traditionally made of wood. Farm gates suit historic farmhouses and other properties with a relaxed vibe. Ranch-style driveway gates are similar to farm-style, but they are often larger and more stately. A ranch-style gate is a statement piece that sets the tone for your property. Craftsman-style driveway gates feature intricate and unique woodworking details. Homeowners who opt for a craftsman gate do so for its unexpected patterns, cutouts, angles, and medium choices.

Some Craftsman pieces incorporate wood and metal into the design. Art deco driveway gates look like they come directly from the s. They are typically made of metal and feature elaborate geometric designs. A well-crafted art deco gate is a work of art that welcomes visitors to your stately home. Estate driveway gates are typically found at the entrances to large, luxurious homes.

They are often the widest, tallest, and most upscale gates. Many estate driveway gates are automated and may be paired with extra features like an intercom and security camera. Picket-style driveway gates are characterized by their distinctive picket fence look. This gate style is traditionally made of wood and has evenly spaced flat vertical plank components with slightly rounded tops. Driveway gates generally require minimal maintenance to stay in peak operating condition.

The gate material and operational type dictate the maintenance needs. For example, a wood gate needs to be annually checked for flaking paint or stain. An iron gate requires rust inspection. The hinges of all gates should be lubricated with a high-quality silicone lubricant. The systems of automatic gates should also be inspected at least annually.

If your system relies on a battery, check the battery status and replace it as necessary. Get free estimates from driveway gate installers near me Get Free Estimates. Intercom systems allow those at the gate to call and ask if you can open the gate. Systems with especially long ranges or multiple intercom stations are the most expensive. Exit probes are motion detectors that sense when your car is about to exit the gate. Adding paint to your gate can be done when you order it.

Paint protects your gate and allows you to customize the color. One of the main reasons for installing a driveway gate is the added security it provides. Improve this security benefit by adding cameras to your gate so that you can easily see who is attempting to access your property. For best results, use cameras designed for outdoors with a waterproof rating.

Long-range night vision and high-definition functionality add to the price but give a clearer picture of who or what is approaching your gate.

The boost you receive for your gate is thanks to the improved curb appeal, enhanced security, and potential privacy. Depending on your home insurance company, installing a driveway gate may earn you a discount on your policy. Insurance companies see value in driveway gates because they can deter potential criminals. Due to this, you are viewed as a lower-risk client who is less likely to need to make a claim. Lower risk translates into lower cost, and that savings can be passed on to you in the form of lower premiums.

Power outages are always a potential, and electric driveway gate manufacturers have planned for this possibility. Once the gate is in manual mode, you can manually open and close the gate. When planning what width you need your driveway gate to be, consider the size and length of any vehicles that you expect to come through it. If your gate is positioned near a sharp curve, realize that longer vehicles like RVs need additional swing room to make the turn. This means you will need a wider gate.

Remember to allow space for the gate posts or columns and hinges as well. Cost to install a driveway gate varies greatly by region and even by zip code. To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours. FIXR provides cost guides, comparisons, and term cheat sheets for hundreds of remodeling, installation and repair projects.

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Aug 12, Updated the introduction with new information, project scopes, and project costs. Jul 23, Added external references to the end of the guide. Nov 27, Updated the introduction with new final costs.

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