Gates and Automatic Openers in Columbus

Questions about gates

Why does my gate drag when the fence beside it is fine?

Two usual causes. Either the gate post has leaned under the constant sideways pull of the gate, which points at a footing that was not sized for the load, or the gate frame itself has racked out of square, which points at a missing or wrongly oriented diagonal brace. The brace has to run from the bottom hinge corner up to the top latch corner so it works in tension. Run the other way it does nothing useful, and that is a surprisingly common mistake.

How wide can a swing gate be before it needs to slide?

A single swing leaf much past about twelve feet gets heavy enough that hinge and post loads grow faster than the convenience is worth, and it also needs a large clear arc to open into. Splitting the opening into a double gate keeps each leaf manageable. Where the drive is short or the ground rises behind the gate so a swing will not clear, a cantilever slide gate is the usual answer, since it travels parallel to the fence line and needs no arc at all.

What does an automatic gate operator need to work?

Power at the gate, which frequently means a trench and a licensed electrician, a control method such as a keypad, remote or intercom, and safety devices that stop and reverse the gate when something interrupts it. Automatic gates are covered by a safety standard that addresses entrapment protection, so a competent installer will fit photo eyes or edge sensors as a matter of course. A gravel or paved drive that stays level through the gate travel also matters more than people expect.