A driveway gate is the single most mechanically demanding thing on a fence line. It moves thousands of times a year, carries its own weight on two hinges, and in Kendall it does that in salt air and afternoon rain. Almost every sagging gate we are called to fix failed for the same three reasons: undersized posts, unwelded or unbraced frames, and an opener sized for a lighter gate.
We build gate frames from welded aluminum or galvanized steel, hang them on 4-inch to 6-inch posts set in oversized concrete footings, and size the operator to the actual leaf weight with margin. Swing gates get commercial-grade arm or articulated operators; long or tight-clearance driveways get slide or cantilever gates on a track-free carriage.
Automation is where the details matter for both convenience and liability. Every automated gate we install includes UL 325 compliant safety devices — photo-eye sensors and edge sensors — plus a fire-department key switch or Knox box where required, battery backup so you are not trapped in an outage, and a keypad, remote or smartphone control set up before we leave.
Materials we install
- Swing gates
- Single or double leaf, welded aluminum or steel frame, up to 16 feet total width, with drop rods on double gates.
- Slide and cantilever gates
- For short driveways and sloped aprons where a swing arc won't clear. Cantilever designs avoid a ground track that fills with debris.
- Operators
- LiftMaster and Nice residential and commercial operators, 24V DC with battery backup, sized to leaf weight and duty cycle.
- Access control
- Keypads, wireless intercom, telephone entry, loop detectors, remotes, smartphone app control, and fire department key switch.
- Safety devices
- UL 325 photo eyes, reversing edge sensors, warning signage, and manual release for outages.
How the job runs
- 1Site and power assessmentWe measure the driveway apron, check slope and swing clearance, and locate the nearest usable power source.
- 2PermitsFence permit plus electrical permit for the operator circuit, filed with Miami-Dade or your city.
- 3Posts and conduitOversized footings for gate posts; conduit trenched for power, loop detectors and low-voltage runs.
- 4Gate fabrication and hangWelded frame built to your opening, hung plumb, and swing-tested by hand before automation.
- 5Automation and safety setupOperator mounted, limits and force set, photo eyes aligned, battery backup and access control programmed.
- 6Training and warrantyWe walk you through manual release, remotes and keypad codes, and register the operator warranty in your name.
Gates & Automation questions
Can an existing driveway gate be automated?
Often, yes. We first verify that the gate frame, posts and hinges are structurally sound, then size the operator to the actual leaf weight and add required safety sensors, battery backup and access control.
Do I need a permit for a driveway gate?
Yes. Miami-Dade requires a fence permit for the gate structure and a separate electrical permit for the operator circuit. Gated communities and fire access roads may also require a fire department key switch.
What happens to my gate during a power outage?
Every automated gate we install includes battery backup for dozens of cycles and a manual release so you can push the gate open by hand. We show you how to use it at handoff, before you need it.
Why do driveway gates sag?
Almost always undersized posts, an unbraced frame, or hinges rated below the leaf weight. We use oversized concrete footings, welded and cross-braced frames, and heavy-duty adjustable hinges to prevent it.