Installing an automatic driveway gate in San Jose CA is not a job we would recommend for anyone but an expeert.  The installation process is far more complicated than most people would expect. It's involved with some very in-depth understanding. The gate opening systems can be complicated to program.That will be the difference between a safe gate and a non working gate. or worse, a hazard for you and your loved ones.

Automatic driveway gates come in one of 3 different designs. These are : Sliding, Swing, and Dual Openers. Which one you need depends on the terrain around the area where the gate willl be installed. This is something you and your contractor should discuess at lthe time of your consultation.

Different Opening Styles:

• Swing: 

 

 

 

 

• Sliding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many choose the sliding gate openers for their driveways because cars will be parked right inside the gates on the driveway. A swinging gate would not be suitable for a driveway gate because cars would have to be parked far enough out of the way to keep from getting hit by the swinging gate. The main issue sliding gates face is that they tend to have a higher instance of problems because they have many moving parts.

• Dual Opening:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dual swing gates open like a set of french doors. Since the length of the open gate is cut in half, it is often times easier to have this type of gate for residential driveways.

This is a matter of personal preference- and heavily depends on the amount of traffic. The amount of security you are seeking from your automatic driveway gate. For the most part other than manual operation, you have 3 options for entry systems.

Telephone Entry (intercom) :

• Telephone entry systems are likely the most common type of security system installed for driveway gates. With a telephone entry system, each user has an access code. They insert the access code into the keypad which we will install near the driveway gate. A telephone entry system is an electronic system designed for granting or denying an access. They can be portable or mounted permanently in buildings and vehicles. These systems can incorporate connections to telephones, cell phones and computers with a cloud web browser.
• Card/Key Fob:
  Usually paired with a telephone entry system. these systems require either a pre-programmed remote or a card in order to enter  the premises.
• Underground Loop Sensor: This is the option with the least security, but the most convenience. This opening system uses a magnetic sensor to detect a car driving over it. Once a car is driving over it, the gate will open.

The best way to avoid frequent maintencance needs, is to make the investment in a high quality starting product. For example, although there are mnay telephone entry systems available on the market, it is wise to not simply choose the cheapest option. Why? Because often times it is lower quality materials which lead to problems with driveway gates.  If you purchase mid-to high range  equipment, then your maintenance will look a little somethng like this:

1. Wash and Wax your gate once a year to prevent paint from flaking off, and to keep your gates looking fresh and new
2. Deal with Pests: Snails and slugs can destroy a circuit board in short order. The slime trails they leave behind become highly conductive with even the most minuscule amount of moisture.Spider webs with even the slightest bit of moisture on them can also conduct electricity and damage a gate’s circuit board. And bee’s nests and ant hills can rapidly corrode gate opener circuitry.
3. Lubricate all moving parts quarterly: And it cannot be stressed enough- NEVER use wd-40 to lubricate the chains inside of your gate mechanism- despite popular belief, WD-40 is a cleaning agent, not a lubricant. Instead, use white lithium  grease.

This is another question that depends on both the intended use of the space, and your own personal budget and style requirements. There are pros and con's to every materiall- you can read more about the pros and cons of various gate materials at our blog.

Your main choices would have be between wood, steel, vinyl or wrought iron.

Through new, recent litigation, simply having a "reverse" function (which causes the gate to reverse direction when it comes into contact with an immovable object, after applying a small amount of pressure) is not enough. The industry standard is to have at least two safety features installed with every automatic gate. We talked about the 1st safety feature- which is that reverse function. Now, in order to comply with state or regional laws,- automatic driveway gates must have an additional feature- most often times a "photo beam" which is basically an infrared beam low to the ground, and if that beam is interrupted, the gate should stop and reverse.

There are a few other safety options available- but the reverse function and photobeams are the norm.

Well- If you get your driveway gate installed by us, you're in luck. Repair service: Our experienced technicians will repair your slide, swing or overhead gate, garage door or telephone entry system. Call today 650-560-4646. Our Service Charge for repairs, during regular business hours is $75.00. After Hours Service Charge is $125.00 and Late Night Service Charge (after 9pm) is $195.00.

During regular business hours only, Service Charge would be applied towards the cost of repair. Contact us for a free over the phone estimate.

If you didnt have your gates installed by us, then you should contact the installation company. Never try to manually push open a stuck, or malfunctioning gate.

In all likely hood- you will face problems with the opener long before the doors are damaged. Typical lifespan of automatic driveway gate openers is about 10years- with 1-2 small repairs needed in the interem.

Generally speaking, if the process runs smoothly, it takes between 3-5 hrs to install a driveway gate. This, of course, does not include off site fabrication time, or transportation. The larger the project, the longer it takes- however- most automatic driveway installations take an afternoon from start to finnish.