Driveway gates may be installed for security or aesthetic reasons. Gates may swing or slide to allow entry or exit. Gates may also be manual or automated and can be accessorized with a variety of security equipment.

Manual swing gates may be the easiest style to install and maintain if the ground around the entry point is level. In order to work properly, the gates must swing clearly open and shut. Uneven or sloping ground may create a challenge. Sliding gates only require level ground across the width of the gate to open and shut. However, the track that the gate slides on must be kept free of debris in order for it to operate properly. Special brushes can be added at the bottom of a sliding gate to help sweep this track when it opens and shuts.

Manual gates are also less expensive. They do require someone to open and close them each time, a need that can be less than desirable in extreme climates.

Automated gates require electrical wiring and a control mechanism to allow the gate to open and shut. The control mechanism can be operated at the gate or from another location, by entering a passcode or by driving over an underground sensor. Cameras mounted on the gate can also be used to provide more information about vehicles or pedestrians entering or exiting a property.

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Did You Know?

Water expands 9 percent in volume when it freezes. The force of the increased pressure on sidewalks and driveways can cause cracks and splits. Water that finds its way under sidewalks and driveways can also erode dirt, changing the structural base and causing maintenance issues.

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