Fence Styles

Gates & Gate Openers

Walk gates, drive gates, and automatic openers built to take daily use without sagging.

The hardest-working part of the fence

A gate is the one section of a fence with moving parts, and the one that gets pushed, pulled, and driven through every day. It also hangs its whole weight on two hinges instead of tying into a continuous line. That's why weak framing, undersized hinges, or a gate post that shifts shows up at the gate first.

We size every gate for what goes through it — foot traffic, a trash can, a riding mower, a truck and trailer — and set the gate posts deeper and wider than line posts, which matters in the sandy topsoil common around Magnolia.

  • Walk gates: single gates sized for foot traffic, trash cans, and mowers
  • Drive gates: single or double (dual-leaf), sized for vehicles, mowers, and trailers
  • Openers: solar or wired automatic operators, with keypad or remote access

Gate materials

Wood & cedar

Built around a diagonal brace or welded steel frame so the gate stays square, matched to a cedar or pine fence line.

Wood & Cedar →

Vinyl

Reinforced with an internal aluminum or steel frame, since vinyl alone isn't rigid enough to hold a gate's shape.

Vinyl →

Steel & aluminum

Heavy-duty steel for driveways and security, or lighter rust-free aluminum to match pool and yard fencing.

Ornamental metal →

Ranch & pipe

Tube and pipe gates for pastures and acreage entrances, wide enough for equipment and hung to swing clear of the ground.

Farm & Ranch →

We build most walk gates on site. Ornate custom metal gates are fabricated ahead of time and installed once the posts are set.

Automatic gate openers

For daily vehicle access, especially on acreage entrances off FM 1488, FM 1774, and the county roads around Magnolia, an automatic opener saves getting out of the truck twice a day. We source and install both solar and wired operators for swing and slide gates.

A powered gate needs a sturdy gate and posts, a power source (a solar panel or an electrical run), an access method such as a keypad, remote, or phone app, and safety sensors so the gate stops if something is in the way. In many cases we can add an opener to an existing gate if it's strong enough to carry a motor.

Wind, HOAs, and storm season

A solid gate catches wind just like a privacy panel, but carries that load on its hinges and latch. On wide drive gates we size the hinges, posts, and bracing for the wind the panel will see, not just its weight.

In HOA neighborhoods, the gate's style and height are usually reviewed with the rest of the fence, and keypads or visible operator hardware can be a separate approval item. See HOA fencing for how approval typically works.

Gate questions

Why do gates sag before the rest of the fence?

A gate carries its own weight on hinges instead of being tied into the fence line, so weak framing, light hinges, or a shifting post shows up there first. Reinforced framing and properly set gate posts prevent it.

Do I need HOA approval for a new gate?

Usually it's covered under the same approval as the fence, but some HOAs review gate style, keypads, or opener hardware separately. We help put together whatever your board asks for.

Can you add an automatic opener to my existing gate?

Often, yes, as long as the gate and posts are sturdy enough to handle a motor. We check both before recommending an operator.

My new gate doesn't latch like it did on day one. Is that normal?

Yes. New posts settle, and gates sometimes need a small adjustment afterward. Give us a call and we'll come adjust it free of charge.

← All fence styles · Acreage & ranch fencing

Ready for a new gate?

Call or text (281) 292-1897, or book a free estimate online.

Book a Free Estimate Call (281) 292-1897