A driveway gate finishes a property and keeps kids, pets and uninvited visitors where they belong. In Lutz, we build them for everything from a front-yard aluminum fence to a long rural drive off a county road.
Swing gates vs. slide gates
Swing gates, single or double, are the classic driveway look. They need a flat arc of driveway to open into, so they work best on level drives with space inside the gate. Cantilever slide gates roll sideways and need no swing room, which makes them the better choice for sloped driveways, short setbacks or openings wider than about 16 feet. They do need clear space along the fence for the gate to slide back.
Long drives and rural setbacks
Many Lutz homes sit well back from the road, so the gate can go at the street or closer to the house. We'll talk through where it works best for deliveries, trash pickup and turning room, and whether a slide gate makes more sense than a swing gate on your grade.
Materials
Aluminum is light, rust-free and pairs with most ornamental fences. Steel is stronger and heavier, for larger gates and more security. Vinyl and wood gates match privacy fences, built on internal metal frames so they stay square. We match the gate to your fence and your HOA's guidelines.
Manual or automatic
Every driveway gate we build can be manual. If you want an automatic opener, it's quoted as a separate add-on: the operator, safety sensors and the power run. Automated gates must meet the UL 325 safety standard for gate operators, which affects the gate design itself, so let us know early if automation is in your plans.
