A driveway gate greatly enhances the curb appeal of your home. Combined with a fence or wall, the gate provides an added level of security, and it helps keep children and pets in the yard and away from street traffic.
Most driveway gate designs fall into three categories, based on the way the gate operates:
Slide opening, where the gate moves to the side to open
Single-swing, where the gate opens like a door
Dual-swing, where the gate has two sections that open like French doors
Good quality gates have a substantial feel to them. They are usually made of powder-coated steel, aluminum or wrought iron to protect them from the elements. Gates can be opened manually, but they are heavy—a 12-foot steel gate can weigh close to 200 pounds. Most gate owners install an automatic opener for quick and easy access.
Driveway gates are often sold as do-it-yourself projects, with detailed installation instructions included. You can also hire a contractor to take care of the installation for you. In either case, here are five things to keep in mind before jumping in:
Do Your Homework First
Check with local authorities to determine if you need a building permit to install a driveway gate before you start the project. Be sure you know the true size of your gate when asking about setback requirements and height restrictions. Manufacturers usually give the nominal size of the gates they sell, but the actual width after installation is often a little larger, to accommodate the posts that hold up the gate. This is also an important piece of information to know if you are building a fence or wall to go with your gate.
Call 811 Before You Dig
This number routes you to a call center in your area where you can arrange for a professional to mark the locations of buried utilities around your property. Driveway gates include posts that are set in concrete, and a gate project often includes new fences or walls, which require more extensive excavation. Make the call before you start the project to avoid damaging underground wiring, gas or water lines.
Plan Your Gate’s Location Carefully
Ideally, there should be enough room in front of the gate for your car to be completely off of the road while you’re waiting for the gate to open. Inside the gate, there should be room enough to allow the gate to open completely without hitting any obstructions. This is an important consideration for curved driveways, as the gate needs to be able to clear the drive path completely.
Most driveway gates open in toward the house, but if your driveway is on a slope that rises, the gate must open out toward the road. Inclined and uneven driveways can also be graded to give your gate clearance so it can operate correctly.
Attach the Gate to Posts, Not Pillars
A gate flanked by masonry walls is a classic design, but don’t be tempted to attach the gate to the masonry pillars directly, which makes for an unstable gate. Install posts behind the pillars instead, then attach your gate to the posts. It’s an easier installation, and it helps ensure that the gate will operate properly.
Choose Accessories to Fit Your Lifestyle
Automatic gate openers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to accessories for your driveway gate. Here’s a list of some of the most popular ones:
Entry transmitters allow you to open the gate from inside your car, the same way you would operate a garage door opener. Some models can be programmed to open your gate and your garage door with the same transmitter.
Keypad openers allow access to the gate by typing in a code. This allows friends and delivery or service vehicles to open the gate. You can also opt for temporary codes that expire within a day or week.
Vehicle sensors are placed next to the driveway inside the gate. When they sense your vehicle leaving the property, they automatically open the gate for you.
Intercoms allow you to talk with someone who pulls up to the gate from the comfort of your home.
Solar power kits can be purchased to power your automatic gate openers in an eco-friendly way.
Planning your driveway gate project carefully will provide a hassle-free installation, and give your property a distinctive landscape feature that provides security and sets your home apart from others in the neighborhood. For information on choosing a style and accessories for your gate, you can browse this guide at Trusted Choice.
Fran J. Donegan is an author and handyman who writes about DIY projects. He provides advice on an array of topics from driveway gate openers to kitchen remodeling. To view a selection of driveway gates and openers Fran talks about in this article, visit The Home Depot.