Design that respects the house
A gate should look like it came with the place. We take cues from the roofline, brick color, and the fence you already have instead of dropping a style on top of it.
Gates
Custom Gate Design
Yours, not a catalog page.
We design and fabricate gates one at a time. Horizontal cedar for the modern builds going up in Frisco and Prosper, board-on-board for Lakewood and Preston Hollow, big ranch entries with a top arch for acreage in Parker and Denton counties.
You get drawings before we cut anything, so what shows up on the truck is what you agreed to.
Fabrication in-house
Frames welded, wood milled and fit, hardware set — done by the same crew that installs it, so nobody's pointing fingers if something needs adjusting.
HOA and neighborhood standards
Plenty of DFW communities have rules on height, material, and street-facing finish. We build to them and help with the submittal when it's needed.
Straight answers
- Can you copy a gate I saw?
- Bring the photo. We'll build our version of it, sized to your opening and engineered to hold up.
- How long is fabrication?
- Custom builds typically run two to four weeks depending on material and finish. We give a date, not a shrug.
- Do you do monograms and address numbers?
- Yes — cut steel monograms and address plates are one of the most requested touches we do.
Custom Gate Design across the DFW metroplex
We run this service in every one of these cities and the towns between them.
Related services
Home › Services › Custom Gate Design
Custom gate design means planning a gate around your driveway opening, available clearance, preferred materials, and access needs. A workable design accounts for the gate’s weight, posts, hinges or rollers, and ground slope—not just its appearance. For Dallas-Fort Worth properties, the first decision is usually whether a swing or sliding layout fits the site.
What needs to be measured before designing a custom gate?
Measure the clear opening between the proposed supports, not just the width of the pavement. Gate height, ground clearance, and the space needed for hardware also affect the finished dimensions.
A site assessment should check:
- Driveway slope: Whether the gate’s travel path rises or falls.
- Support locations: Where posts, footings, or structural attachments can go.
- Operating space: The swing arc or side area available for a sliding gate.
- Vehicle clearance: Room to enter, turn, and wait without obstructing gate movement.
- Nearby obstacles: Walls, landscaping, parked vehicles, and other fixed features.
Approximate measurements help start a discussion. Fabrication dimensions should come from verified site measurements.
Should I choose a swing gate or a sliding gate?
Choose the movement pattern before settling on decorative details. A gate that looks right but cannot open fully is a poor fit for the driveway.
LayoutWhen it may fitWhat must be checked
| Single swing | There is room for one leaf to open | Swing clearance, leaf weight, hinge loads, and slope |Double swing | Two shorter leaves suit the opening | Clearance for both leaves, center alignment, stops, and latching |Tracked sliding | Side space is available beside the opening | Track alignment, drainage, debris, and the full travel path
Cantilever slidingKeeping a track out of the driveway is usefulExtra side space for the counterbalance section and adequate structural support
A sliding gate still needs a clear run beside the driveway. Review the layout considerations for sliding gates before choosing that option solely to avoid a swing arc.
Which materials make sense for a custom driveway gate?
Material selection affects weight, privacy, maintenance, and the hardware needed to support the gate.
Steel frames and pickets provide a rigid structure and allow varied profiles and welded details. Exterior steel needs corrosion protection, including attention to welds, joints, and damaged finish areas.
Aluminum generally weighs less than steel for comparable sections, but the frame still needs appropriate sizing and connections. A lighter material does not eliminate the need to account for wind and repeated movement.
Wood infill on a metal frame can coordinate with a wood fence and provide more screening. Wood movement, fastener selection, added weight, and refinishing access should be considered during design.
Open pickets allow more visibility. Solid or closely spaced infill provides screening but presents more surface area to wind. That difference matters when selecting supports and automation.
How do you keep a custom gate from sagging or dragging?
A gate needs a support system designed around its span, weight, and movement. Strong decorative panels cannot compensate for undersized posts, loose hinges, or a frame that twists.
For a swing gate, review frame bracing, hinge placement, post stiffness, footing requirements, and latch alignment together. For a sliding gate, review rollers or carriages, guides, stops, and supporting structure.
Ground clearance must also account for changes in grade throughout the travel path. Simply raising a gate may hide the symptom without fixing a moving post or distorted frame.
If your existing gate already touches the driveway, use this guide to diagnosing a heavy metal driveway gate that sags or drags to understand what needs inspection before redesigning it.
Should I repair my existing gate or commission a replacement?
Repair is worth considering when the frame remains sound and the problem is limited to serviceable components. Replacement becomes more useful when the gate’s basic layout or condition no longer suits the opening.
FindingDirection to investigate
| Worn hinges, loose hardware, or latch misalignment | Repair or adjustment after checking the supports |A shifted post with an otherwise usable gate | Correct the support problem before deciding on a new leaf |Significant section loss from corrosion or extensive frame distortion | Replacement after assessing the remaining structure |A gate that cannot clear the driveway slope | A different layout rather than repeated adjustments
A workable gate that needs a different appearanceRefinishing or compatible infill changes, subject to weight checks
An inspection should separate hardware wear from structural movement. Otherwise, a new gate could inherit the same problem.
What should a custom gate design include before fabrication?
A useful design should settle more than the outline of the gate. Confirm the opening dimensions, leaf arrangement, material sections, infill pattern, finish, ground clearance, and intended movement.
Hardware decisions should cover hinges or rollers, latch location, handles, stops, and any pedestrian access arrangement. If automation is planned, include operator mounting needs, power routing, controls, and safety-device locations in the discussion.
Ask which items are included in the proposed scope and which require separate work. Clarify removal of an old gate, support changes, finish application, and electrical work before comparing estimates.
Do I need HOA approval or a permit for a custom gate?
Requirements depend on the property and jurisdiction. Do not assume that a replacement gate, manual gate, or existing opening is automatically exempt.
If your property has an HOA or architectural review process, obtain its current written requirements before finalizing the design. Confirm applicable city requirements separately. Height, placement, vehicle visibility, and access provisions may affect what can be built.
Morrison Gate & Fence serves the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Bring any property-specific documents into the design discussion so the proposed gate can be reviewed against the requirements that actually apply.
How much does a custom driveway gate cost?
Custom gate pricing depends on opening width, material, fabrication detail, support work, finish, and whether automation is included. Removing an existing gate or changing the opening can also affect the scope. Request an itemized estimate so you can compare the gate itself with installation, electrical work, and access controls.
Can a custom gate match my existing fence?
A custom gate can be designed to coordinate with an existing fence through picket spacing, height, frame proportions, and finish. An exact match may depend on material availability and the condition of the existing finish. Photos help establish direction, but measurements are needed to confirm the fit.
Can I add an automatic opener later?
Often, yes, but planning for automation during design can avoid changes later. Reserve suitable operator mounting space, consider power and conduit routes, and account for safety devices. The finished gate must move freely and remain within the selected operator’s published limits for size, weight, and use.
What should I send when requesting a custom gate estimate?
Send photos of the opening from both sides, an approximate opening width, and examples of the style you want. Mention driveway slope, existing posts, nearby walls, and whether you want manual or automated operation. Include any written approval requirements you already have; final dimensions still need site verification.
Request a custom gate estimate: Call Morrison Gate & Fence at (469) 654-7729 to discuss your DFW property, preferred layout, and design priorities.