Horizontal-slat double swing gate near Beavercreek, OR

Steel is stronger and stiffer, which matters for wide spans, security applications, and anything that takes abuse. Aluminum won't rust, weighs far less, and is often the better call for long swing gates and wet sites, which describes most of the Portland and Vancouver area. Weight also affects automation: a lighter gate lets you use a smaller operator and reduces wear on hinges and rollers.

Yes. Operators are rated by gate weight and length, so a heavy ornamental steel gate may push you past what a residential unit like a Mighty Mule or Chamberlain/Elite can handle, into a LiftMaster, Nice/Apollo, FAAC, or Viking sized for the load. For very heavy or high-cycle gates, hydraulic and industrial operators such as HySecurity are the right tool. We size the operator to the gate we're building, not the other way around.

Once your gate is fabricated, most residential installations take one to two days on site: setting posts, hanging the gate, mounting the operator, cutting loops, wiring, and programming access. Concrete footings need time to cure before the gate hangs on them, so some projects split into two short visits. Custom fabrication adds lead time up front, which we give you when we quote, and we stick to it.