GATE STYLES

FOLDING GATE | FOLDING DOOR

Folding gates allow a fast opening geometry to access or exit properties faster. The gates fold in the middle stacking the folded gate behind the opening for a maximum driveway opening. The folding gate is very quiet and is built with a proprietary greased hinge set for silent operation. Beside a welcoming opening geometry that says “welcome home” the folding gate is the most versatile gate for finishes in the industry and can include matching surrounding materials or can be customized with unique and distinctive designs.

A&D uses the industry proven QuickFold from Torxun and the Model 3 Operator when a tower operator is the ideal choice. Being of versatile design, the QuickFold allows automation with multiple operator types including pad-based or linear type operators as well as tower operators.

Folding gates can include safety or accent lighting, LED signage panel insertion for promotion or digital as well as solid panels to act more as a door than a gate for environments where heat/cooling retention is important or no view security is important.

When paired with a the Model 3 Tower Operator, the gates seem to open with almost no operator as the small footprint towers stand almost invisibly in the shadows of the opening operating at whisper quiet sound level.

SWING GATE

Swing gates swing a single gate panel from a single post. These gates either open inward (toward the property) or outward (toward the street). Swing gates are often used in conjunction with steel posts or columns or a combination of the two where a steel post is embedded in or directly adjacent to a column. Additionally, embed plates can be provide to a mason when building the columns to support the gate as well. With swing gates the panels can be large depending on the driveway opening so clearances inside of the gate and outside of the gate need to be considered. Gates cannot open onto a sidewalk and swing gates opening into a hill may need to be modified to provide a titling trajectory to accommodate the terrain rise.

Swing gates can be automated with pad based or linear operators or the Model 3 Tower Operator. A&D uses proprietary heavy duty quiet hinges to create peaceful openings.

Many finishes and infill materials can be used to customize your swing gate including under gate heavy duty LED lighting or LED lighting incorporated into the gate panel. area. Swing gates can also accommodate LED panels for digital artwork.

SLIDING GATE

Sliding gates are perfect where swing gates don’t have good terrain or the right clearance. Additionally sliding gates are the perfect choice for wide driveways where large vehicles are entering or passing. The gate panel can be large and accommodate many materials that compliment nearby structures or landscaping. While sliding gates are popular the speed is controlled in residential applications to move at a determined rate that makes the opening clearance for movement of cars the longest wait of any other gate typically. Additionally, because of the longer opening time, the gates tend to be affected more often by gate strikes when cars try to “rush” the gate opening. Sliding gates also tend to have a higher noise level than other gates because of the movement of steel wheels across a metal track.

A&D has produced thousands of sliding gates, some as large as 100’ in length.

As with any automated gate, it is important that there is pedestrian access nearby as pedestrians are not allowed by UL 325 and many local building codes to access a property through an automated gate.

TILT-UP or OVERHEAD GATE

This gate operates similarly to a solid wall garage door. It operates with a ceiling based operator and springs that work cohesively to move the door upward from a closed position. The gates must be lightweight to not over burden the opening systems and the springs need to be replaced fairly often depending on the amount of opening cycles needed. This gate tends to have a higher “down-time” than other gate styles because of spring replacement or vehicle strike. Vehicle strikes happen because of tall vehicles or vehicles with payloads or attachments that exceed the floor to ceiling clearance of the gate. When vehicles hit this gate it tends to facilitate an entire gate panel and spring replacement. The gate can also be damaged if vandals decide to hang from the gate in an operating position. These gates are used at the entrance of a garage or inside for access control. The gate panel cannot be too large in order to maintain lower structure weight.

We would recommend other gate types like a folding gate or sliding gate before installing these, especially since what you save to put one often time is lost in replacement and maintenance. A&D can install this type of gate if that is your preference.

As with all other automated gates, please consider nearby pedestrian access to remain compliant with UL 325 and local building requirements.

STACKING (TANDEM) GATE

These gates are generally used for properties where space is limited to do other gate styles. No arc room for swing gates, no back track room for a sliding gate and no usable ceiling for an overhead gate. These gates essentially stack one panel over another panel creating an opening by sliding one over the other on multiple tracks.

Gates can be made of multiple materials but often times are generally made of pickets or other lightweight materials. Wood or steel infills would work fine with this gate type. The gate is automated with a pad based operator and Tandem gate kit.

Tandem gates tend to be more expensive that other options but provide a good solution to limited space parking areas. Another good option for small parking areas is a folding gate as it does not require much installation space either.

BARRIER ARM GATE

Often used in high traffic areas where access control is desired but a traditional gate would not be ideal. Also used where traditional gates are planned or exist when tailgating (cars without access rights which follow very closely to those who have access rights to a property ) problems exist. Barrier arm gates have very fast cycle times which are designed to allow only one vehicle passage at a time.

The gates are designed to provide light traffic control and have no impact on preventing pedestrian access onto a property. They can be simply breached by striking the barrier arm causing it to disengage or potentially break allowing the vehicle access. Therefor these gates generally have higher long-term cost of ownership because of barrier arm replacement or operator replacement if damaged from an arm strike.

The barrier arm gate is the lowest cost of installation of all gates so they can cost effectively control and restrict free access to a parking area without the installation of a steel gate, Barrier arm gates and arms are now mostly available with LED lighting as included or an option to increase visibility of controlled aisles to prevent arm damage.