Driveway gates are a smart way to enhance both security and curb appeal. Whether you’re securing a home or business, adding a gate across your driveway makes a strong first impression while keeping unwanted visitors out.
Beyond security, driveway gates help keep children and pets safely contained within your property. Available in a wide range of materials—from simple welded steel panels to decorative aluminum and wrought iron—driveway gates can be both functional and stylish.
With so many styles and configurations available, choosing the right gate can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry—we’re here to help simplify the process.
In this article, you’ll learn about the most common driveway gate materials, the different types of gate configurations, and an introduction to automatic gate openers and access control systems.
Types of Materials Used to Build Driveway Gates
Wrought iron, steel, aluminum, and wood are the most common materials used to build driveway gates. Each material offers its own advantages in terms of strength, appearance, and maintenance needs.
The best material for your driveway gate depends on several factors, including the overall style you want to achieve, how wide or tall the gate needs to be, and how frequently it will be used. Some materials are better suited for heavy-duty, high-traffic applications, while others are ideal for decorative or residential use.
Wrought Iron Driveway Gates
Wrought iron driveway gates are among the most durable and longest-lasting gate options available. Known for their strength and timeless appearance, wrought iron gates can easily last a lifetime when properly maintained.
One of the standout features of wrought iron is its customizability. Skilled metalworkers weld iron into both simple and highly ornate designs, making wrought iron the material of choice if you’re looking for a unique, custom-built gate that makes a statement.
Two Key Considerations for Wrought Iron Gates
1. Cost
Wrought iron gates can be very expensive. True wrought iron craftsmanship is rare, requiring years of specialized training and hands-on experience. Because of this, there are only a handful of professionals who fabricate and install authentic wrought iron gates—and they charge a premium for their services. If your budget allows and you want a one-of-a-kind gate that adds elegance and value to your property, a wrought iron gate is a top-tier choice.
2. Rust and Maintenance
Despite its durability, wrought iron is still susceptible to rust—especially in areas where winter road salt is used. Even with high-quality finishes, your gate will likely need to be repainted or maintained over time. In snowy northern climates, salt spray from roads can accelerate corrosion, requiring more frequent upkeep.
That said, under normal conditions, wrought iron gates may go decades before needing serious maintenance, making them a worthwhile long-term investment.
Steel Driveway Gates
Steel driveway gates offer a similar appearance to wrought iron but come with a lighter price tag—both literally and financially. Most steel gates are constructed from steel tubing, which means the metal components are hollow rather than solid. This design reduces weight, lowers production costs, and makes the gates easier to install and automate.
Styles and Options
Steel driveway gates are available in a wide variety of standard styles from most major fence manufacturers. Common design options include:
• Pressed spear tops or decorative finials
• Flat-top or arched gate designs
• A selection of colors, heights, and widths to suit your layout
Whether you’re aiming for a traditional look or something more modern, there’s likely a steel gate style to match.
Pros and Cons of Steel Gates
Steel gates are not as heavy-duty as solid wrought iron, but they still provide excellent strength and security for residential or light commercial properties. They strike a good balance between durability and affordability.
However, rust is still a concern. Like wrought iron, steel gates can be susceptible to corrosion—especially in colder climates where road salt is prevalent. Over time, salt spray from nearby roads can lead to surface rust and compromise the gate’s finish.
Routine maintenance, such as occasional washing and touch-up painting, can help extend the life of a steel driveway gate.
Aluminum Driveway Gates
One of the biggest advantages of aluminum gates is their lightweight construction. This makes them easier to install and reduces the stress placed on gate posts, brick columns, or gate operators. In fact, the reduced weight often allows for the use of smaller, more affordable gate automation systems, saving you money in the long run.
Aluminum gates are also:
• Low maintenance, requiring no painting or rust-proofing
• Available in a wide range of powder-coated finishes and colors
• Offered in popular designs, including flat-top and arched styles
• Customizable with accessories like finials, rings, and scrollwork
A Note on Security
While aluminum driveway gates look elegant and are highly durable in terms of weather resistance, they do have limitations when it comes to security. Aluminum is softer and more pliable than steel or wrought iron, meaning the pickets can bend or be cut more easily under force.
From a distance, aluminum gates may look just as strong—but if maximum security is your top concern, steel or wrought iron may be the better option.
Wood Driveway Gates
Wood driveway gates are an excellent choice for projects where ornamental metal gates don’t match the aesthetic. Whether you’re going for a rustic, farmhouse, or craftsman look, a wooden gate can add warmth, charm, and natural beauty to your property. However, wood gates come with their own set of challenges compared to metal options.
What to Know About Wood Gates
One of the biggest concerns with wood driveway gates is their weight. Wood is significantly heavier than aluminum and even many steel gates. Unlike metal, which can be welded for strength and stability, wood must be joined using hardware. This means that issues like sagging and warping are more common unless the gate is properly supported.
To address this, manufacturers often use:
• Heavy-duty steel reinforcement brackets at connection points
• Full steel frames hidden behind the wood for added strength and structure
Choosing the Right Wood
The type of lumber used in a wood driveway gate plays a crucial role in its performance and longevity. Some woods tend to twist, warp, or crack during the drying process, which can impact the gate’s appearance and function over time.
Popular choices for wood driveway gates include:
• Cedar – Known for its natural resistance to decay and stable grain
• Redwood – Offers superior durability and a straight, clean finish
• Avoid pressure-treated lumber, which is more prone to twisting and is heavier
These species are readily available, cost-effective, and hold up well outdoors, making them ideal for custom wood gate construction.
Driveway Gate Designs
Driveway gates come in a variety of designs and configurations, each offering unique advantages depending on your property layout, space, and usage needs. Common gate types include:
• Single-leaf gates
• Double-leaf gates
• Cantilever or sliding gates
• Vertical lift gates
The right gate design largely depends on how wide your driveway is and how frequently the gate will be used. For example:
• A narrow entrance may only require a single-swing gate.
• A wider driveway typically benefits from a double-leaf gate, where two panels meet in the center.
• In tight spaces where swing gates aren’t practical, sliding or vertical lift gates are ideal.
Why Gate Design Matters
Choosing the correct type of driveway gate is crucial for long-term functionality and satisfaction. To make the right decision, it’s important to:
1. Understand how each gate style works
2. Compare the pros and cons of each configuration
In the sections below, we’ll take a closer look at each driveway gate design to help you make an informed choice for your home or business.
Swing Gates
Swing gates are the most popular type of driveway gate. They consist of one or two gate panels, known as “leaves.”
• A single-leaf swing gate is ideal for narrower openings.
• A double-leaf swing gate covers wider driveways by splitting the span into two panels that meet in the center.
How Swing Gates Operate
Swing gates open by pivoting on hinges—typically swinging inward toward the property. This requires ample space to allow the gate(s) to open at least 90 degrees from the closed position.
⚠️ If your swing gate opens toward the street, it must be set back far enough to avoid hitting vehicles waiting in the driveway.
For proper operation, the gate’s location should be level or slope away from the opening direction. Gates on an uphill slope may not open fully unless they are custom-mounted at a higher starting point.
Swing Gate Disadvantages
The biggest drawback to swing gates—especially in northern climates—is snow. If snow accumulates in front of the gate, it must be cleared before opening to avoid damaging the hinges or stressing the gate posts.
Cantilever and Sliding Gates
Cantilever and sliding gates offer a practical solution for driveways that lack space for swing gates. Unlike swing gates, these gates roll perpendicular to the gate opening, requiring extra room to the side of the driveway, rather than in front or behind.
Advantages of Cantilever and Sliding Gates
Both cantilever and sliding gates roll parallel to the fence line or wall, making them ideal for properties with limited space to recess gates. The primary benefit is that they only require enough room for a vehicle to pull off the road—no need for additional clearance in front of or behind the gate.
In areas with high traffic volume, these gates, especially when operated by an electric motor, open faster than swing gates, saving valuable time.
Winter Performance
Another advantage of cantilever and sliding gates is their superior performance in snowy climates. With only the gate width (usually around 4 inches or less) needing to pass through the snow, these gates are much less prone to snow-related issues than swing gates, making them a great choice in regions where heavy snowfall is common.
What’s the Difference Between a Cantilever Gate and a Sliding Gate?
Cantilever Gates
Cantilever gates are unique in that they don’t touch the ground at all. To achieve this, they feature an extended counterbalance tail that keeps the gate suspended when closed. This design eliminates the need for rollers or wheels at the leading edge of the gate. This feature is particularly useful if you have an uneven driveway, gravel, or stone surfaces, or face issues with heavy snowfall.
Drawback of Cantilever Gates
While cantilever gates offer many benefits, they require a significant amount of space to open. The counterbalance adds roughly 50% to the overall length of the gate. For example, a 20-foot gate requires a 10-foot counterbalance, meaning you need 30 feet of space to accommodate it.
In planning for cantilever gates, allow for about 1.5 times the width of the gate opening to determine the required space.
Sliding Gates
Sliding gates work similarly to cantilever gates, rolling along the fence line. However, the key difference is that sliding gates do not use a counterbalance. Instead, they rely on a support wheel at the leading edge, often running along a metal track installed across the driveway.
A level surface is crucial for proper sliding gate operation, and this can be a limitation in areas where snow or uneven ground is common.
Drawback of Sliding Gates
Sliding gates require a ground track for the wheels to roll along, making them less suitable for snow-prone areas or driveways requiring plowing. Additionally, sliding gates don’t work well on gravel or stone driveways due to the need for a stable, smooth track.
Vertical Lift Gates
Vertical lift gates are a unique and efficient option for driveway gates, designed to lift vertically into the air—similar to the arms at parking garages. These gates are known for their speed and efficient operation, offering a faster opening mechanism compared to other gate types.
Space Efficiency
One of the key advantages of vertical lift gates is their minimal space requirement. Unlike swing gates or cantilever gates, vertical lift gates don’t need room to swing open. However, they do require clear space above the gate for proper operation. This means you’ll need to ensure the area above the gate is free from overhead utility lines and tree branches to avoid obstructions.
Power and Operation
Vertical lift gates require an electric operator to function, which means they operate automatically and more quickly than manually operated gates. This design also means the gate and operator are fabricated as one unit, making installation more streamlined.
Snow and Surface Conditions
Similar to cantilever gates, vertical lift gates do not touch the ground, which means driveway type or snow isn’t a significant concern for these gates. They provide reliable operation in all weather conditions, regardless of surface type or snow accumulation.
Considerations for Vertical Lift Gates
Cost is the biggest consideration when choosing vertical lift gates. Because they require an electric operator and are more complex to fabricate, they are significantly more expensive than other gate types. If your budget allows and you need the speed and space-saving benefits of a vertical lift gate, it can be a great choice
