Access Points That Function on Your Terms

Gate installations in Lexington for properties requiring controlled entry, improved security, or replacement of non-functioning gate hardware

A gate that fails mid-cycle, sits off-plumb, or requires physical force to open defeats the purpose of having controlled access in the first place. RHB Construction installs gates in Lexington—manual, automatic, and repair work on existing systems—for residential and commercial properties where entry control and property security are functional requirements, not afterthoughts. The properties where gate installations come up most often are those with fenced perimeters where the existing gate hardware has failed, properties undergoing fencing upgrades, and sites where automatic access is being added to replace a manual entry point.

Gate installation work begins with post setting, because the posts that carry a gate's weight and movement must be set deeper and in larger-diameter concrete footings than standard fence line posts. A gate that binds, sags, or drifts open on its own almost always traces back to post depth or footing diameter rather than the gate hardware itself. For automatic systems, the operator selection—swing versus slide, and the motor's duty cycle rating—depends on gate weight, frequency of use, and available clearance on the property side of the gate.



Request a property walkthrough to evaluate post placement, clearance requirements, and whether an automatic or manual configuration fits your entry layout..

Why Gate Post Installation Drives Long-Term Performance

The visible portion of a gate installation—the gate panel, operator hardware, and entry controls—performs only as well as the post and footing work beneath it. Gate posts bear dynamic load every time the gate moves: the weight of the panel multiplied by the leverage of its span, applied repeatedly at the hinge or slide track attachment point. Posts set at the same depth as fence line posts will shift under that repeated load, and once a post begins to lean, the gate panel binds at the latch and the gap at the top of the swing arc opens. Correcting that condition after the fact requires excavating and resetting the post, which means removing completed work to fix a foundation problem.



Once gate posts are correctly set and the operator is installed and adjusted, what you notice is straightforward: the gate opens and closes fully without manual assistance, the latch engages without lifting or forcing the panel, and the automatic system responds consistently to its control input. RHB Construction calibrates automatic operators after installation to confirm travel limits, obstacle detection sensitivity, and control response before the job is closed out.

Gate repair work on existing installations follows a diagnostic sequence that starts with the post and footing condition before adjusting hardware or replacing operators, because replacing an opener on a gate with a compromised post produces the same failure within a shortened timeframe. Understanding which component is actually causing the problem determines whether a repair restores function or simply delays a more complete correction.

Questions Before Starting Your Project

Gate installation projects vary based on gate type, post conditions, and whether automation is part of the scope—these questions address the decisions that affect how the installation is planned and what the finished system requires.

• How deep should gate posts be set compared to standard fence posts? Gate posts typically require a minimum of one-third of their total length in the ground, set in concrete footings with a diameter at least three times the post dimension—a heavier or wider gate panel increases both requirements proportionally.
• What determines whether a swing gate or slide gate is the right configuration for a property? Clearance on the interior side of the gate is the primary factor: swing gates require enough clear space for the full panel arc, while slide gates need clear track length equal to the gate panel width plus operator hardware—properties without adequate swing clearance default to a slide configuration.
• How does gate weight affect the automatic operator selection? Operator duty cycles are rated for specific weight ranges and cycle frequencies; an operator undersized for the gate panel it moves will reach its thermal limit during normal use and fail prematurely, which is why gate weight and expected daily cycle count both factor into the selection.
• What should you check on an existing automatic gate that has stopped completing its full travel? Obstacle detection sensitivity, travel limit settings, and battery condition in solar-assisted systems are the first diagnostic points—after ruling those out, the hinge and track condition indicate whether the gate panel itself is creating mechanical resistance the operator cannot overcome.
• Why do Lexington properties with older perimeter fencing sometimes require post replacement during a gate installation? Fence line posts installed in earlier construction eras were often set in smaller-diameter footings with less concrete coverage, and repurposing them as gate posts subjects them to a load category they were not originally sized for.

RHB Construction also installs and repairs gates in Camden and Columbia. To discuss gate configuration, post requirements, and operator options for your property, connect with RHB Construction to plan the installation from the foundation up.