Chain-link Gates 101

There are many benefits to installing a chain link fence with a gate on your property. Not only does a well-done chain link gate installation potentially increase the value of your home or business, but it also adds privacy and additional protection from local wildlife and weather-related damage. Depending on your property or business’s unique needs, when researching fence options for a chain link gate installation, you’ll find that there are many different types to choose from. Let’s explore some of the most popular chain link gate options and the benefits and drawbacks of each to help you determine which chain link fence would be best for your space and needs.

Why Choose a Chain Link Gate?

Getting a quality gate with your chain link fence gives you access control, especially around driveways, walkways, and access roads. Some of the key advantages and benefits of installing a chain link gate include: 

  • Affordable: For those looking for a cost-effective fencing option, chain link is by far the most affordable choice as a fencing material.
  • Durable: Especially for those accustomed to strong High Desert winds, the interlocking steel and weather-resistant design of a chain link gate makes it one of the strongest options. 
  • Low Maintenance: Repairs and installations are easy with most chain link fence gate installations, especially when you can call on experts with 30 years of experience at All American Fence Erectors. Chain link fencing is one of the quickest to install and future potential damages can be easily spot-treated and repaired.
  • Variety of Options: As we’ll find out later in the article, the options for installing a chain link fence and gate are pretty extensive. Chain link models are some of the easiest styles of fencing to customize, and with the help of a trusted fencing company such as All American Fence, the sky's the limit. 

Chain Link Gate Options

It’s important to get the right options with the chain link fence gate installation for your property. Your choice will depend on what you’re hoping to provide a barrier against and the environmental demands of the space. Discover a few of the chain link gate options below.
 

Walk-Thru/Pedestrian Gate

If you’re looking for simplicity in getting from one side of the fence to the other, this option is the most affordable and convenient choice. One of the most requested chain link gate installations, walk gates are typically placed along the fence line or next to the home for ease of access from the front of the property to the back. The most common size is 4’ wide and can range from 3’–6’ wide. 

This gate is perfect for those looking to purchase the most simple fencing option. A pedestrian-style chain link fence gate can deal with a lot of foot traffic and can be locked in a variety of ways. 
 

Double Swing/Drive-Thru Gate 

For those looking to drive vehicles through a chain link gate in the fence, a double swing gate or the drive-through gate option is probably the smartest choice. The double swing gate can range from 10’–20’ in width but our most common double swing gate installation ranges from 12’–16’ wide.

Pros of a Double Swing/Drive-Thru Gate: 

  • For maximum vehicle clearance double swing gates are the perfect option for buyers trying to stick to a tight budget. 
  • Since this type of gate doesn’t touch the ground, rough terrain and rocky asphalt will not affect it. 
  • Its lightweight nature allows the gate to be operated with little effort.

Cons of a Double Swing/Drive-Thru Gate: 

  • The area around the gates needs to be clear and level so they can swing freely.
  • During storms, the gate can be blown around when in use, but this can be fixed with the use of gate holdbacks. 
  • Gate slamming can cause hinges to spin out of adjustment and drop rods can be finicky after years of use. These are both easy to fix and repair.
  • Installing a gate operator is not practical on this type of gate and may lead to damage. 

A chain link fence with this type of gate is perfect for property owners looking to accommodate vehicle traffic over rougher terrain and if they anticipate infrequent use. 
 

Rolling Gate

This type of chain link fence gate installation is ideal for main driveways where the gate is to open flat and positioned above concrete. Mounting a strip of iron on the concrete to ensure the gate rolls perfectly into the latch each time is one option we offer with this chain link fence gate. This serves to protect the gate wheel and the concrete. While this increases installation costs slightly, the effortless gate operation and increased wheel durability make installing this option well worth it in the long run.

Pros of a Rolling Gate: 

  • As the gate opens parallel to the fence, the opening is simple even if vehicles are behind or in front of the gate. Plus, with this chain link fence gate you will never accidentally slam the gate on your vehicle. 
  • Most rolling gates have a single door, so unlike a double swing gate there is only one gate to operate, and adding a gate operator is a simple process with only a few add-ons within the chain link gate installation.

Cons of a Rolling Gate: 

  • Rolling gates work best over concrete foundations, so there are some limitations on the type of property or space that will find this fence effective.
  • While rolling gates are easy to operate, installing this chain link gate and fence is less cost-effective than other options. 

A rolling gate with a chain link fence is perfect for those who already have a smooth, flat, hard surface for the gate to roll on and who experience high vehicle traffic within their property. 
 

Pinch Roller Gate

A pinch roller chain link gate installation is ideal when you need an opening larger than 22’. This single-rolling gate operates smoothly with little to no maintenance. Made out of heavy-duty SS-20 & SS-40 materials to help stiffen up the excessive length of the chain link fence, this is one of the most durable fencing options.

Pros of a Pinch Roller Gate: 

  • The design of a pinch roller gate ensures that the gate opens and closes perfectly straight and in line with the fence every time. A concrete strip with an easily mounted angle iron covers the width of the entire opening to help the gate shut smoothly.
  • The design of this chain link fence gate ensures that it opens and closes consistently and perfectly every time. 
  • Operation is trouble-free with the pinch rollers and angle iron being the only parts that come into contact with the gate.
  • With no wheels or pipe track to fall out of alignment, closing and opening the chain link gate without frustration is guaranteed. 

Cons of a Pinch Roller Gate: 

  • This style of gate with a chain link fence requires a concrete strip double the width of the gate opening which can add to the overall price.
  • This is a slightly heavier gate option due to the excessive length and added durability of the materials used to help the gate roll extremely smoothly.
  • You’ll find when installing a chain link gate that most gate operators only open as wide as 22’; however, higher-end commercial units are also available with a slightly higher budget.
  • The gate space needs to be within 2% level to ensure proper rolling. 

A chain link fence with a gate like this is perfect for property owners with a flexible budget. A pinch roller gate requires little maintenance and provides no-stress operation. 

Professional Chain Link Fence Gate Installation

Each property has unique characteristics that come into play when choosing the best gate for your current space and needs. Whether you’re looking to add additional barriers around your yard space or need a pool or garden fence to prevent unwanted damage, All American Fence will show you our wide catalog of fencing options to customize your fence to operate as smoothly as possible. 

Contact All American Fence at (760) 948-2428 to discuss chain link fences and gates with a professional. We have proudly operated as the High Desert’s premier service for chain link gate installation and repair since 1985. We serve customers in Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley, and other surrounding communities, and we’d love to put our hardworking experts to work for you. We make installing chain link fences with gates streamlined and simple to help you get the exact fence your property needs. If you have questions about chain link fence gate pricing or you’re ready to get started, contact us today to schedule your free estimate.