A great-looking gate starts long before welding and wiring—it starts with smart design. At Gateway Automation, our gate design process is engineered to turn your vision into a CAD-backed, build-ready plan that fits your property, your style, and the way you live.
Step 1: Listen First, Design Second
Every project begins with a conversation. We dig into what you want your gate to do (security, privacy, curb appeal, access control), how you’ll use it day to day, and what styles you love—from modern minimalist to classic estate. We’ll talk finishes, maintenance expectations, and any must-have features like intercoms, smart entry, or safety devices.
Step 2: On-Site Assessment (The Make-or-Break Stage)
A site visit is where good ideas meet real-world constraints. We review:
Drive slope & grading (critical for swing clearances and operator choice)
Wind exposure & span (affects structure, hinges, and motor sizing)
Setbacks, utilities & property lines
Vehicle turning paths & pedestrian access
Power availability & conduit routes
Catching these details early saves time, money, and headaches later.
Step 3: Materials That Match Your Vision (and the Elements)
We help you choose the right build material—or combination—for aesthetics and longevity:
Steel: Maximum strength, custom profiles, durable with proper finish
Wood: Warmth and privacy, ideal as infill within a steel frame
Glass / Poly Panels: Contemporary look, controlled transparency, low maintenance
Composite / Aluminum Accents: Lightweight, corrosion-resistant details
We’ll also recommend finishes (powder coat systems, stains, cladding) that suit your climate and maintenance goals.
Step 4: Swing or Slide? Choose the Right Motion
Form follows function. We’ll model both options where appropriate:
Swing Gates: Timeless look, simpler mechanism; best on level approaches and adequate setback.
Sliding Gates (track or cantilever): Space-efficient on tight driveways or steep grades; excellent in high-wind or long-span scenarios.
We’ll explain pros/cons for your site—including safety zones, snow considerations, and service access.
Step 5: CAD Drawings You Can React To
Once we’ve aligned on vision, site realities, materials, and movement, we produce scale CAD drawings that show:
Elevations and profiles (exact dimensions and proportions)
Hinge/track locations and clearances
Post/pillar requirements and foundation notes
Hardware, operator placement, and safety devices
Finish details and any decorative elements
These aren’t napkin sketches—they’re buildable plans. You can approve a design as-is or iterate with targeted tweaks. We expect feedback and refine until it’s right.
Step 6: Engineer for Longevity
While aesthetics matter, performance is non-negotiable. Behind the drawings, we size hinges, posts, foundations, and operators for gate weight, span, wind load, and usage frequency. This is where our field experience shows: a beautiful gate that sags or strains a motor isn’t a success. Ours are designed to stay true and run smoothly for years.
What You’ll Walk Away With
A site-specific design that respects constraints and elevates your curb appeal
Clear, scaled CAD visuals (easy to review and approve)
A material and motion strategy that balances look, maintenance, and budget
A confident path to fabrication and installation—no guesswork
Ready to See Your Gate on Paper?
Bring us your inspiration—photos, sketches, or just a vibe—and we’ll translate it into a precise, build-ready design. With Gateway Automation, you don’t just get a gate; you get a plan that works.
Let’s design it right the first time.
