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Control access to your property with the push of a button—or from anywhere with your phone.
An automatic gate does more than look impressive at the end of your driveway. It keeps unwanted visitors out, eliminates the hassle of getting out of your car in the rain, and gives you complete control over who enters your property. Whether you want a simple remote-controlled gate or a fully integrated system with keypads, intercoms, and smartphone access, we build and install it all.
At Austin Fence & Deck Builders, we’ve been installing automatic gates across Central Texas since 2007. We handle everything—gate fabrication, operator installation, access control setup, and ongoing service—so you’re not juggling multiple contractors to get your gate working right.
Ready to automate your entry? Call us at (512) 799-7574 or request a free gate consultation.
Automatic Gate Types We Install
Different properties call for different gate configurations. We install:
Sliding Gates
The gate rolls horizontally along a track parallel to your fence line. Sliding gates are ideal when:
- Your driveway slopes upward from the street
- You have limited space for a gate to swing open
- You need a wide opening (20+ feet)
- You want maximum security (no gap at the hinge point)
We install both track-mounted and cantilever sliding gates. Cantilever gates hang from rollers above ground level, eliminating the track that can collect debris and freeze in rare Austin ice events.
Swing Gates
The classic choice—gates that swing open like a door, either inward or outward. Swing gates work best when:
- Your driveway is flat or slopes away from the street
- You have adequate clearance for the gate arc
- You prefer a traditional aesthetic
- Budget is a primary concern (simpler mechanism)
We build single-swing gates for standard driveways and dual-swing gates (two leaves meeting in the center) for wider entrances.
Vertical Lift Gates
The gate rises straight up, supported by a counterweight system. Vertical lift gates are specialized solutions for:
- Extremely tight spaces with no room for sliding or swinging
- Commercial loading docks
- Properties with severe grade changes at the entrance
Gate Materials and Styles
Your automatic gate should match your property’s aesthetic. We build gates in:
- Ornamental Iron Classic wrought-iron look with scrollwork, finials, and decorative elements. Powder-coated for durability. Pairs perfectly with ornamental iron fencing around your property.
- Steel Heavy-duty and secure. Ideal for privacy gates (solid panels) or modern horizontal designs. It can be powder-coated in any color.
- Aluminum: Lightweight and rust-proof—the smart choice for properties near pools or in humid microclimates. Delivers the iron aesthetic with less maintenance. Works seamlessly with aluminum perimeter fencing.
- Wood, cedar, or hardwood gates for a warm, natural appearance. Popular for properties with wood privacy fencing, where you want the gate to blend in rather than stand out.
- Modern/Contemporary Horizontal slat designs, mixed materials (wood and steel), and minimalist frames for Austin’s newer neighborhoods and urban properties.
Gate Operators We Install
The operator is the motor and mechanism that opens and closes your gate. We install commercial-grade operators designed for residential reliability:
Slide Gate Operators: Chain-driven or direct-drive motors that pull the gate along its track. We size operators based on gate weight and cycle frequency—residential gates don’t need industrial operators, but undersized motors fail prematurely.
Swing Gate Operators
- Ram-style (linear actuators): Compact, powerful, and hidden when the gate is closed. Best for ornamental gates where aesthetics matter.
- Articulating arm: Visible but extremely reliable. Good for heavier gates and high-cycle applications.
- Underground operators: Completely hidden beneath the driveway. Premium option for high-end properties.
Solar-Powered Options For gates far from electrical service, solar panels and battery backup keep your gate operating without trenching power lines across your property.
Access Control Options
How do you want to open your gate? We integrate:
Remote Controls: Simple and reliable. Handheld remotes or visor-clip transmitters open the gate from your vehicle. We program multiple remotes for family members, housekeepers, and regular visitors.
Keypads: mounted at the driver’s window height allow entry via a PIN code. You can assign different codes to different people and change them anytime—useful for contractors, dog walkers, or short-term guests.
Telephone Entry Systems: Visitors call from the keypad; you answer on your phone and can open the gate remotely. Works with landlines or cell phones.
Smartphone Control: Open your gate from anywhere using an app on your phone. Get notifications when someone enters. Grant temporary access to delivery drivers or guests without sharing codes.
Card Readers / Key Fobs: Proximity cards or fobs for quick, hands-free entry. Common for properties with multiple vehicles or frequent access needs.
License Plate Recognition: The system reads your plate and opens automatically—no buttons, no codes. Premium option for high-end residential and commercial applications.
Intercom with Camera: See and speak with visitors before granting access. Video can be viewed on a monitor inside your home or streamed to your smartphone.
Safety Features
Automatic gates involve moving parts and significant force. Safety isn’t optional:
- Photo Eyes: Infrared beams across the gate opening detect obstructions. If anything breaks the beam while the gate is closing, it stops and reverses.
- Safety Edges: Pressure-sensitive strips on the gate’s leading edge detect contact and trigger an immediate stop. Required for swing gates in most applications.
- Auto-Reverse: If the gate encounters resistance while closing, it automatically reverses direction.
- Manual Release: Every automatic gate includes a manual release so you can open it during power outages or operator failure.
- Battery Backu:p Optional battery systems keep your gate operational during power outages—important for security-focused properties.
We install all gates in accordance with UL 325 safety standards and test every safety device before completing your project.
Our Automatic Gate Installation Process
Site Consultation: We visit your property, assess the driveway layout, discuss your access control needs, and measure for gate sizing. You’ll receive a detailed proposal with options and pricing.
Design and Engineering: We design your gate to match your aesthetic preferences and structural requirements. For heavy gates or complex installations, we engineer support posts and operator mounting to ensure long-term reliability.
Permits and Utility Coordination: Some municipalities require permits for automatic gates. We handle paperwork and coordinate with utilities if electrical service needs to be extended to the gate location.
Gate Fabrication: Custom gates are fabricated to your specifications—material, style, dimensions, and finish. This typically takes 2–3 weeks, depending on complexity.
Installation We set gate posts in concrete, install the gate and operator, run electrical and control wiring, and mount access control devices. Most residential installations take 1–2 days once the gate is fabricated.
Programming and Testing We program remotes, keypads, and smartphone access. Then we test every function—open, close, auto-reverse, photo eyes, manual release—to ensure everything works correctly.
Training and Handoff We walk you through gate operation, remote programming, and basic troubleshooting. You’ll know exactly how to use and maintain your new system.
Why Choose Austin Fence & Deck Builders
- Owner-operated since 2007. We’ve installed automatic gates across Austin—from simple driveway gates to estate entries with full access control systems.
- 92+ Google reviews. Customers mention our attention to detail, clean installations, and responsive service.
- Fully insured. Full liability coverage protects your property throughout the project.
- 1-year workmanship warranty. If anything’s not right with the installation, we’ll make it right.
- One company for the complete project. We build the gate, install the operator, set up access control, and coordinate with your fence installation or deck project if needed—one plan, one team, one point of contact.
Automatic Gate Maintenance
Automatic gates need periodic maintenance to operate reliably:
- Monthly: Test photo eyes and safety edges. Clear debris from tracks (sliding gates). Lubricate hinges (swing gates).
- Quarterly: Check operator mounting bolts. Inspect chain tension (chain-driven operators). Test battery backup if equipped.
- Annually: Professional service visit to inspect operator internals, adjust limit switches, and verify safety device calibration.
We offer maintenance plans for automatic gate systems—scheduled visits that catch small issues before they become expensive failures.
Service Areas
We install automatic gates throughout Austin, TX, and surrounding areas—including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Lakeway, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Buda, Manor, Bee Cave, and Kyle. From Westlake Hills estates to Steiner Ranch driveways, we’ve automated entries throughout the metro.
Ready to Automate Your Gate?
Tell us about your property, your driveway layout, and how you want to control access. We’ll design a system that fits your needs and budget—from simple remote operation to full smartphone integration.
Request your free consultation or call (512) 799-7574 to get started.
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(512) 799-7574
FAQ — Automatic Gate Installation (Austin)
Automatic gate systems typically cost $3,500–$ 12,000 installed, depending on gate size, material, operator type, and access control features. A basic single-swing gate with remote control is at the lower end; a dual-sliding gate with smartphone access and intercom is at the higher end. We provide detailed quotes after assessing your property.
Often, yes. If your gate is structurally sound and properly sized, we can add an operator and access control without replacing the gate itself. We’ll assess your existing gate during the consultation and let you know if automation is feasible.
Custom gate fabrication takes 2–3 weeks. Once the gate is ready, installation typically takes 1–2 days for residential systems. Complex installations with extensive access control may take longer.
With a battery backup, yes—your gate will continue to operate for multiple cycles during an outage. Without backup, you can still open the gate manually using the release mechanism. We recommend battery backup for security-focused properties.
Sliding gates roll horizontally and are best suited to sloped driveways, wide openings, and tight spaces. Swing gates open like doors and work best on flat driveways with adequate clearance. We’ll recommend the right type based on your property’s layout.
Yes. We install smartphone-enabled controllers that let you open your gate from anywhere, receive entry notifications, and grant temporary access to visitors—all from your phone.
Options include temporary PIN codes (keypads), remote unlock via smartphone app, telephone entry systems where visitors call you, or intercom systems where you can see and speak with visitors before granting access.
Requirements vary by location and gate type. Some areas require electrical permits; some HOAs have approval processes. We verify your property’s requirements and handle permit applications as needed.
Monthly safety checks (photo eyes, edges), quarterly operator inspection, and annual professional service. Sliding gates need track cleaning; swing gates need hinge lubrication. We offer maintenance plans to keep your system running reliably.
Yes. We service and repair most residential automatic gate systems regardless of who installed them. If parts are available, we can usually get your gate working again.