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It might be possible to install your own manual driveway gate rather than an automatic one, but we don’t recommend it. Driveway gates are large, heavy, and bulky, and getting them to your house and maneuvering them for installation can be dangerous. It’s also challenging to install the gate and balance it perfectly so that it functions as expected, and wiring any automation mechanisms for your gate is also dangerous and requires help from an electrician. We recommend leaving the work to a professional driveway gate installer.

If you only use your gate as a pedestrian, walking through without a vehicle, you’re fine to stick with a single fence gate. If your fence opening needs to accommodate vehicles of any kind, from cars to trucks to 4-wheelers, then a double fence gate will suit the space much better and give you more freedom. 

Installing your own gate is possible, but we don’t recommend it. Gates can weigh hundreds of pounds in some cases, and even types of gates made from the lightest materials are heavy, bulky, and difficult to maneuver into place. Positioning your gate perfectly is also crucial to make sure it swings smoothly and either closes automatically or doesn’t close without force, depending on your preferences. Mistakes made by DIYers can be quite costly, too, as the materials alone average around $1,000. As such, it’s better to hire a professional gate installer.

Other mechanisms can help you keep your gate securely shut. Secure gate latch types will do the job, such as magnetic or spring-loading, self-closing lever varieties, or automatic gate openers. However, they won’t control the speed at which the gate closes. You can purchase slam plates that use rubber buffers to reduce noise and the potential damage-inducing impact of a fast-closing, heavy gate.