Automatic Gates & Controlled Entry in Sparta, Cookeville & Middle Tennessee

Automatic Gates for Homes, Farms, and Businesses

An automatic gate lets the right people in without anyone getting out of the truck. It keeps a driveway private, keeps livestock in, and keeps a storage lot or work yard closed after hours.

Cloyd’s Fencing installs driveway gates, gate operators, and controlled-entry systems for homes, farms, storage facilities, and commercial properties across Sparta, Cookeville, and Middle Tennessee. We can build the gate, the fence around it, and the operator and entry controls as one job.

Swing or Slide?

The right gate depends more on your driveway than your budget. Look at how much room you have in front of and beside the opening, and which way the ground slopes. Those two things usually make the choice for you.

Swing Gates

A swing gate opens on hinges, either as one leaf or a pair that splits in the middle. It’s the most common choice for residential and farm driveways. It needs clear room to swing, and it works best on a driveway that’s level or slopes down away from the gate.

Slide Gates

A slide gate rolls sideways along the fence line, so it doesn’t need swing room. It’s a strong choice for steep driveways, tight spaces, and commercial lots where vehicles pull right up to the gate. For heavy-use commercial entrances, a cantilever slide gate rides on rollers with no track on the ground. Our guide to commercial gates and access control compares them in detail.

Ways to Open the Gate

An automatic gate is only as convenient as the way people open it. Think about who comes through: family, employees, customers, deliveries, or emergency crews. Each one may need a different way in.

Most properties combine two or three of these:

• Remotes for the family, employees, or fleet vehicles
• Keypad codes for guests, deliveries, and customers, which you can change anytime
• Phone or app entry so you can open the gate from anywhere
• Intercom or call box so visitors can call the house or office
• Exit sensor that opens the gate automatically for vehicles leaving

Important: Plan for emergency access. Your local fire department may require a way to open the gate in an emergency. Ask before you finalize your setup.

Gate Operators and Safety

The gate operator is the motor and control system that opens and closes the gate. Automatic gate operators are covered by the UL 325 safety standard, which requires entrapment protection like photo eyes and sensing edges that stop or reverse the gate. DoorKing’s UL 325 overview explains how it works.

When we choose an operator, we look at:

• Gate size and weight. A long or heavy gate needs a stronger operator.
• How often it opens. A busy commercial entrance needs a heavier-duty operator than a home driveway.
• Power. Hardwired power or solar for rural gates far from the house, with battery backup so the gate still works in an outage.
• Your terrain. Slope, gravel, and drainage at the entrance all affect which gate and operator will work best.

Fence and Gate Together

A gate is only as secure as the fence around it. We build the fence to match: chain link for work yards and storage lots, aluminum for homes and storefronts, wood for privacy, or farm fencing for pasture and acreage. For storage facilities and business properties, see our commercial fencing page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you add an operator to my existing gate?

It depends on the gate. It has to be in good shape, hang level, and be strong enough for an operator. We’ll look at it and tell you honestly whether it’s a good candidate or should be replaced.

Do automatic gates work during a power outage?

With battery backup, most gate operators keep working through an outage for a limited number of cycles. Ask about backup power for any automatic gate.

Can a gate opener run on solar?

Yes. Solar operators are a good fit for farm and rural gates far from a power line, as long as the gate gets enough sun and isn’t opened too often.

How much does an automatic gate cost?

It depends on the gate size and material, swing or slide, the operator, the access controls, and how far power has to run. Every estimate is tailored to your entrance.