Indy Fences
FENCE INSTALLATION & REPAIR
Gate Installation
in Indianapolis
Walk gates, drive gates, automatic gates, and custom decorative gates — built to match any fence material and engineered to swing straight for the next 20 years.
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Contact Us: 765-575-7860
The Hardest Part of Any Fence Is the Gate.
Gates are where most DIY fence projects fail. They sag, they bind, they drag the ground after one Indiana winter. The fence panels are the easy part — the gate is engineering. Here's what separates a gate that lasts from a gate that lasts six months.
Reinforced Gate Posts
A gate post takes 10x the stress of a regular line post. We oversize gate posts (often jumping to 6×6 wood or commercial-grade steel), set them deeper, and use more concrete. This is the #1 reason fence gates fail — and the #1 thing we get right.
Heavy-Duty Hardware
Hot-dipped galvanized hinges and latches that won't rust, stain the gate, or bind in cold weather. Self-closing options for pool-code compliance. Magnetic latches that work even after the gate settles. We don't use the bargain hardware that ships with most pre-fab gates.
Anti-Sag Engineering
A diagonal anti-sag cable, a steel gate frame insert, or a properly braced wood frame — depending on the gate. We engineer the gate to fight gravity from day one instead of waiting for it to start dragging.
Sized for Real Use
A 3ft walk gate is too narrow if you mow with a wide deck. A 10ft drive gate is too narrow for a truck and trailer. We measure your actual use case before we quote — not just "standard width."
Four Gate Types. Any Fence Material.
Walk-throughs, drive-throughs, automatic, and custom — we build gates to match wood, vinyl, aluminum, and chain link fences across the Indianapolis metro.
Walk Gates
The everyday gate that makes a fence usable.
Single swing gates from 3ft to 5ft wide. Built to match your fence material exactly — wood pickets, vinyl panel, aluminum ornamental, or chain link mesh. Self-closing and self-latching options available for pool compliance. The most-installed gate type by a wide margin.
Best for: Backyard access • Pool entries • Side yards • Daily foot traffic
Drive Gates
Two gates that swing out for vehicle access.
Paired swing gates from 8ft to 16ft total width. Sized for cars, trucks, trailers, boats, lawn equipment, and contractor access. Built with reinforced gate posts and heavy-duty cane bolts to hold one side closed while the other swings open. Can be motorized later if needed.
Best for: Driveway access • Backyard equipment storage • RV/boat parking • Contractor entries
Automatic Gates
Open from your car, your phone, or a keypad.
Motorized swing or sliding gate operators by Mighty Mule, LiftMaster, or Eagle. Comes with remote controls, keypad access, and optional smartphone app integration. Available on walk gates (rare) or drive gates (common). Adds serious convenience and a security upgrade.
Best for: Long driveways • Security applications • Frequent vehicle access • Hands-free convenience
Custom Decorative Gates
Arched tops, custom designs, statement pieces.
Arched-top gates, decorative scroll work, mixed-material gates (wood + iron, aluminum + stone columns), and fully custom designs. The gate becomes the focal point of your fence and the first thing visitors see at your property.
Best for: Front entries • Curb appeal • Custom estates • Statement properties
MANUAL VS AUTOMATIC
The biggest gate decision isn't the material — it's whether to motorize. Here's how the two stack up.
Manual Gates
The standard install. Latches you open and close by hand, hinges that swing freely, and zero moving parts to maintain or break. Available with self-closing/self-latching options for pool compliance, magnetic latches, key locks, and decorative hardware.
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Affordable — built into most fence quotes
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Zero maintenance, zero electronics to fail
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Self-closing options available for pool code
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Works in power outages (no batteries, no resets)
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The right choice for most residential fences
Automatic Gates
The convenience upgrade. Motorized operator opens the gate from a remote, keypad, smartphone, or access card. Major upgrade for drive gates and long driveways. Includes safety sensors (the gate stops if it hits something) and manual release for power outages.
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Hands-free convenience, especially in bad weather
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Security upgrade for residential and commercial
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Multiple access methods (remote, keypad, app)
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Requires power source (we coordinate with your electrician)
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Best for drive gates, frequent use, and security applications
GATES FAQ
How wide should my drive gate be?
For a standard car or pickup, 10ft minimum. For a truck and trailer, boat, or RV, plan on 12-14ft. For commercial equipment or wider vehicles, 16ft+. We always recommend going wider than you think you need — every customer who under-sizes their drive gate regrets it the first time they back a trailer through it.
What's a pool-code gate?
A pool-code gate is one that meets Indiana pool safety code: self-closing hinges (it closes itself when you let go), self-latching hardware (it latches without you touching it), and a latch positioned high enough that small children can't reach it from the outside. Required by most cities for any gate that opens into a pool area.
How do automatic gates work?
A motorized operator (essentially a heavy-duty electric motor) attaches to the gate and the gate post. You open it via remote control, keypad entry, smartphone app, or access card. Safety sensors stop the gate if it hits something. Most have a manual release lever so you can open the gate by hand during a power outage.
Will my gate sag over time?
Not if it's built right. Sagging happens when the gate post isn't reinforced enough, the gate frame isn't braced, or the hinges aren't sized for the gate's weight. We oversize gate posts, use diagonal anti-sag bracing on wood gates, weld steel inserts into vinyl gates, and use heavy-duty hinges rated for the gate weight. Built this way, gates don't sag.
How much do automatic gates cost?
Residential automatic gate operators run $1,500–$3,000 for the equipment alone, plus installation, plus the cost of the gate itself. Total installed cost typically lands between $2,500 and $5,000+ depending on gate size, single vs. dual operator, and access control options. Commercial systems run higher.
Can I add a gate to my existing fence?
Yes — adding a gate to an existing fence is a common service call. We assess whether the existing posts can handle the gate stress (often they can't, and we'll need to replace one or two posts with reinforced versions). Quote includes any post work needed.
What's the best gate hardware?
Hot-dipped galvanized steel hinges and latches are the standard — they resist rust, hold up to weight, and last decades. For pool gates, magnetic self-latching hardware is the best option (works even after the gate settles slightly). For premium installs, stainless steel hardware costs more but never shows wear.
Do automatic gates need power?
Yes — most need a 120V power source within reasonable distance of the gate operator. Solar-powered operators exist for off-grid applications, but for most Indianapolis-area residential and commercial installs, we trench in low-voltage wiring or coordinate with your electrician for a dedicated circuit.
How long does gate installation take?
A manual walk gate added to an existing fence: 1–3 hours. A new drive gate during fence install: same day as the fence. A standalone drive gate retrofit: most of a day. An automatic gate install: typically 1–2 days, depending on whether trenching for power is needed.
Do you offer financing?
Yes — we offer financing through Wisetack. Check your rate in 30 seconds with no credit impact. Ask us about it during your estimate.