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Custom Automatic Gate Company in DFW
Getting out to open and close a gate every time you leave the house gets old fast. Southwest Fence & Deck builds custom automatic and electric gates that secure your DFW driveway and protect your privacy, with the tap of a button.
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Automatic Gates Built for Everyday Security and Effortless Access
An automatic driveway gate should make your life easier, not become another system you have to worry about. Homeowners often hesitate because they've heard stories about gates that stop working, unreliable motors, complicated controls, or installations that don't hold up after a few years.
For more than 40 years, Southwest Fence & Deck has designed and installed custom automatic gates throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area that are built for long-term performance. Every gate is engineered around your property's layout, daily traffic patterns, and security needs, with dependable automation that operates smoothly day after day.
That means considering more than the gate itself. The frame, posts, foundation, operator, access controls, and safety devices must all work together as one complete system. Our team evaluates the gate’s weight, configuration, usage frequency, and technology requirements before recommending the right combination for your property.
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Backyard remodeling is what we've been highly awarded, acknowledged, and recognized for all around the Dallas Fort Worth area!
Automatic Gate Installation
An automatic gate secures your driveway while adding a level of curb appeal that a standard gate can't match. Southwest Fence & Deck installs custom automatic gates for homeowners across Dallas-Fort Worth, engineered for daily reliability and built to complement the architecture of your home. Every installation is designed around your property's layout, access needs, and long-term security goals.
Front entry and rear entry gates often require different solutions. A decorative front entry gate may prioritize architectural detail and advanced visitor access, while a wood covered alley gate usually needs a heavier frame and deeper, more substantial posts to support the additional weight. We design the structure and operating system around how and where you'll use the gate.
Custom Automatic Gate
No two driveways call for the same gate. Our custom automatic gates are designed around your property's width, slope, and entry point, whether you need a single swing, double swing, sliding, or cantilever configuration. Each gate is built to match your home's architectural style while meeting the practical demands of daily use. We handle every phase of the project, from initial design through final programming, so the gate functions as smoothly as it looks the day it's installed.
Some properties benefit from separate entry and exit gates. An entry gate can include a visitor call box and safety loops, while an exit loop detects a departing vehicle and automatically opens the exit gate. This creates secure access for guests while allowing vehicles to leave without the homeowner manually opening the gate.
For homeowners looking to create a truly distinctive entrance, our partnership with Aruba Iron Works expands the design possibilities. Together, we craft custom automatic iron gates, decorative entry features, and architectural metalwork that combine exceptional craftsmanship with reliable automated performance.
Electric Gates vs. Automatic Gates
Electric gate and automatic gate are often used interchangeably, but the terms describe two parts of the same system. "Automatic" refers to the gate's ability to open and close on its own once triggered, while "electric" refers to the power source driving that motion. In practice, nearly every automatic gate we install is electric-powered, so homeowners don't need to choose between the two; they work together as one complete system.
Automatic Gate System
An automatic gate system combines the gate itself with the motor, safety devices, and access controls that allow your driveway to operate seamlessly with the touch of a button. Southwest Fence & Deck designs each system around your home's layout and how your family uses the property, considering daily vehicle traffic, pedestrian safety, power requirements, and long-term reliability.
Southwest Fence & Deck primarily installs LiftMaster gate operators because working consistently with one trusted product family gives our team deeper product knowledge, more efficient troubleshooting, and dependable manufacturer support. However, we do not use the same operator for every project. We select the right operator based on the gate’s size, weight, movement, configuration, visibility, and power requirements. A smaller operator may still deliver considerable strength while keeping the equipment less visible.
Most systems can be integrated with remotes, wireless keypads, smartphone access, vehicle sensors, and video entry systems, giving you multiple ways to securely access your property while maintaining a clean, sophisticated appearance.
Options can also include interior push-button controls, voice or video call boxes, tag readers, exit loops, safety eyes, and edge sensors. For more advanced properties, we can coordinate with your security or audiovisual provider so the gate works with existing cameras, mobile applications, and home controls. You can often upgrade compatible components later as your access preferences change.
Automatic Gate Materials
Most large or wood-covered automatic gates begin with a solid steel frame. The appropriate material and metal gauge depend on the gate’s weight, size, movement, design, location, and expected daily use. Steel is generally preferred for heavier gates and rear entry systems, while aluminum may suit lighter decorative gates because it resists rust and supports detailed ornamental designs.
Wood covered alley gates require particular attention to structural strength. Wood adds significant weight, especially when wet, and the frame must withstand years of movement, motor vibration, weather exposure, and repeated opening and closing. When appropriate, we use heavier-gauge metal and deeper, heavier posts so the full system can meet those demands. Our goal is for the metal frame to outlast the wood attached to it.
Every gate is custom-designed to complement your home’s style while providing reliable performance for years to come.
Electric Gates
An electric gate is a driveway gate powered by a motor that opens and closes automatically rather than by hand. Southwest Fence & Deck installs electric gates for DFW homeowners who want the security of a locked driveway without the daily hassle of getting in and out of a vehicle to open it manually. Electric gates pair naturally with our automatic gate systems, adding remote and app-based control to a gate built for your home's exact entry point and traffic pattern.
Planning for Your Automatic Gate Investment
Installing an automatic gate is a long-term investment in your home's security, convenience, and curb appeal. Understanding the factors that influence pricing and the maintenance required over time helps you choose a system that fits both your property and your budget.
An automatic gate's lifespan depends on its materials, construction, use, environment, and maintenance. Individual components such as the operator or access controls may need service or replacement before the structural gate itself. Building the frame, posts, foundation, automation, and safety system around the gate’s actual demands helps protect the investment over time.
Automatic Gate Cost
Automatic gate pricing can vary considerably because the physical gate is only one part of the project. The final investment may include the frame, track, operator, posts, foundation, safety devices, access controls, decorative metalwork, site preparation, and adjustments to surrounding fencing. Size, weight, material, configuration, technology, and customization all affect the cost.
A straightforward wood-covered alley gate, including the gate structure, track, motorized operation, and required safety features, may start around $8,000, excluding changes to surrounding fencing or unrelated site work. Front entry gate systems may range from approximately $5,000 to $20,000 depending on what is included. Highly customized gates with substantial design detail, weight, or system complexity can reach approximately $35,000 to $40,000 per gate. These ranges are general planning figures, and an onsite consultation is the best way to determine accurate pricing for your property.
Our team will also guide you through permitting requirements and any HOA approvals that may be needed.
Automatic Gate Maintenance
Like any mechanical system, an automatic gate performs best with periodic maintenance. Routine service includes inspecting the operator, testing safety sensors, lubricating moving components, adjusting hardware, and verifying that the gate opens and closes smoothly. Regular maintenance helps extend the life of the system while reducing the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns or costly repairs.
Southwest Fence & Deck offers annual maintenance for many of the automatic gate systems we install. A typical visit may include minor lubrication, a general inspection, an operational check, and a review of the motor and moving components. If we identify a concern, we can document it and recommend the appropriate next step. Many systems may need little significant work during their first five or six years, but annual attention can help catch wear before it becomes a larger issue.
Our Process
Driveway Gate Installation Made Easy.Step 1:
Consultation & Design
Review your driveway, discuss gate styles, and plan the right configuration for your property.
Step 2:
Planning & Permitting
Finalize materials, coordinate permitting and HOA requirements, and schedule installation.
Step 3:
Installation & Completion
Install, test, and walk you through operating and maintaining your new automatic gate.
Why DFW Homeowners Choose Southwest Fence & Deck
Southwest Fence & Deck has installed custom gates across Dallas Fort Worth for more than 40 years, building a reputation on craftsmanship homeowners can rely on.
We design every gate as a complete system around the property’s layout, the gate’s structural demands, how vehicles and visitors enter and exit, and the homeowner’s preferred access technology.
Our in-house crews manage each project from design through final installation, keeping quality consistent from start to finish.
We also remain available after installation with maintenance and service for many of the automatic gate systems we build.
Why We Are an Insured Automatic Gate Company in DFW
Southwest Fence & Deck is fully insured, giving homeowners added protection throughout the installation process. You can move forward with your automatic gate project knowing it's handled by a qualified, professionally protected contractor.
Looking for Answers?
Frequently Asked Questions
Automatic Gates FAQ
Choosing the right automatic gate company means more than picking a gate style. It means trusting a team that understands DFW driveways, local permitting, and the daily demands a gate has to withstand.
Southwest Fence & Deck has answered these questions for homeowners across North Texas for over 40 years. Here's what we're asked most often.
▸Do you install automatic gate systems?
▸What types of automatic gates does Southwest Fence & Deck install?
▸What is the difference between an automatic gate and an electric gate?
▸How much does an automatic gate cost?
▸What access controls can be added to an automatic gate?
▸What safety features does an automatic gate need?
▸Do automatic gates require maintenance?
▸Do I need a permit for an automatic gate?
▸Does an automatic gate add value to a home?
Our Service Area
Southwest Fence & Deck takes pride in building high quality fences and outdoor living spaces. If you live in the Dallas Fort Worth area, there's a good chance we've beautified backyards in most luxurious neighborhoods near you.
Call us today to have us build excellence and privacy onto your home.
Dallas County
Garland
Sachse
Rowlett
Sunnyvale
Mesquite
Tarrant County
Southlake
Keller
Colleyville
Grapevine
Denton County
The Colony
Highland Village
Trophy Club