Custom Gates
Built to swing level for a lifetime.
Custom gates are built for an opening that a standard gate does not fit or hold: a wide driveway, an uneven approach, a working entrance that gets hit by equipment, or a design that needs to match the fence and entrance around it. We fabricate steel gates to the actual opening, with frames and hinges built for the leaf weight and hardware selected for how the gate will be used.
Built to the opening, not a catalog size
Every gate is fabricated to the measured opening and the way the ground sits under it. An opening on a slope, or one where the approach is off-camber, needs a different frame and hinge layout than a flat driveway. We measure before we fabricate, and we check the posts the gate will hang on.
Frame design and hardware
Gate frames are built with the diagonal bracing needed to keep the leaf from racking, in a section size matched to the span. Hinges, latches, and drop rods are chosen for the weight and for whether the gate will be opened by hand, by vehicle, or by an operator. Light hardware on a heavy leaf is the fastest way to a gate that drags.
Matching the fence and entrance
A gate reads as part of the fence, so infill, height, and finish are matched to the line it hangs in. On ranch entrances that often means pipe frame with the same rail layout, or steel frame with panel infill. Finish is discussed up front because it determines how the gate ages alongside the fence.
Repair and rehang
A lot of gates are worth saving. We rehang sagging gates, rebuild frames, replace hardware, and reset posts so an existing gate swings and latches properly. When a gate has racked beyond reasonable repair we will say so and price replacement instead.
Custom Gates from our own jobs.
Every photo below is from work we built. Open any image to see it full size.
Common questions about custom gates.
Can you build a gate to a specific width?
Yes. Gates are fabricated to the measured opening rather than a standard size, which is the main reason to go custom.
Do you repair and rehang existing gates?
Yes. We reset posts, rebuild frames, replace hardware and rehang gates that have sagged or racked. If a gate is past repair we price replacement instead.
What finish should a custom gate have?
Bare steel with protective coating, paint, or powder coat are the usual options. The choice depends on how much weather exposure and use the gate sees, and how you want it to age alongside the fence.
Can a custom gate be automated later?
Yes, if the frame, hinges, and posts are built with that in mind. Tell us at design stage if automation is likely so the provisions are there.
Let's talk about your project.
Tell us what you're building, where it is, and what you need. We'll come look at it and give you a straight answer.