Gate Operator Installation for Properties in Dallas, TX and Beyond

Most people can relate to the convenience of having an electric garage door opener. Adding an electric gate opener can provide the same type of convenience and added security to homes with driveway gates. It allows your gate to be opened and closed with a press of a button and without ever having to get out of your vehicle.

Gate openers are more complex than garage door openers. Not properly automating your gate can lead to long term quality and performance issues. When deciding on which gate operator is best, it is important to consider the material of the gate, overall topography of the gate area, and any unique aspects that offer limited automation options for your electric gate. An important final step in automating your security gate is to identify the appropriate security devices. This includes selecting the right transmitter for remote control devices to activate the motor, range extenders for long driveways, back up batteries to ensure access to the system in case of a power outage. and other motion activated devices that allow for entering your property.

Types of Gate Openers

Sliding Gate Openers

A slide gate will slide on wheels along a track to the right or left. A chain is attached across the gate near the bottom and passes through the operator. Sliding gates are typically large and heavy, requiring an experienced company like Ambassador Fence to ensure the right automation components are used and appropriate safety devices are added. This style of operator can have potential pinch and entrapment hazards that require special attention.

Depending on the operator selected, our openers can operate gate widths from 10 ft. to 55 ft. and up to 3500 lbs. Because of this, these types of gates offer higher security due to stronger resistance needed to push the gate open compared to a swing gate operator. Another advantage of installing a sliding gate is that it requires less space, which allows the full length of the driveway to be usable for vehicles and they have a higher speed of opening and closing.

Swing Gate Openers

Swing gate openers come in two basic styles: Linear and Articulated.

A linear swing arm operator has a box that sits off to the side and has an arm extending to the gate. Either a mechanical or hydraulic arm opens and closes the gate. Typically, an electro-mechanical operator is used for single family homes and a hydraulic style arm would be used on heavier and larger commercial gates. The advantages of this style of operator are that it is lower cost, easier to install, and maintains a lower profile of appearance. The downsides are that they are less durable, and they operate at a slower speed.

An articulated swing arm is mounted on a pad and works best on heavier-than-normal entry gates and high-use situations, such as gated communities. The advantage of this operator is durability. The downside is the higher price, higher cost to install, and less aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Dual swing gates will typically consist of two smaller gates that meet in the middle and swing inward or outward, depending on the set up. Like the single swing gate operator, the dual swing gate openers will have a secondary arm that operates with the master arm.

Electric Versus Solar Gate Openers

Our secure automatic driveway gates include solar and electric options in a variety of styles. If you’re trying to power a gate that is currently far away from a power source, choosing solar powered automatic gate openers is a great option that will prevent you from having to run electrical out to your gate. Another thing to consider when deciding between electric and solar gate openers is how much power is needed to reliably open and close the gate. The size of your gate and how it opens, as well as the amount of direct sunlight around the area, all go in to answering that power question.