Gate Installation in Bloomington

A new gate is only as good as the posts it hangs from. We install driveway swing and slide gates and pedestrian gates for homes, associations and small commercial sites, along with operators, photo eyes, keypads, remotes and intercom access when the gate is automated. Every post goes on a footing sized for frost depth, because a shallow post on Bloomington clay shows up within a season as a sagging leaf and a latch that will not catch.

Choosing a Gate Type

The opening, the slope of the driveway and the room beside it decide more than taste does. This table compares the common types.

Gate types compared

Gate type	Best for	Space needed	Sloped or narrow lots
Swing	Most driveways and estate entries; one or two leaves	Clear, fairly level ground for the full arc of each leaf	On a rising driveway a leaf can strike the slope; a double gate halves the arc
Slide	Wide driveways and lots where there is no room to swing	A straight run beside the opening at least as long as the gate	Needs a level track; poor on steep grades and where snow drifts
Cantilever	Commercial lots, loading areas, long openings	Parking room beside the opening of about one and a half times the opening	No ground track to clear of snow; the frame runs over uneven ground
Barrier arm	Parking lots and drives with steady traffic	A small pad beside the lane	Fine on narrow lots; controls cars, not people or pets
Pedestrian gate	Walkways, side yards and pool or garden entries	Room for a 3 to 4 ft leaf to swing	Can step down a slope with the walk; latch height matters

Materials at a Glance

Gate materials compared

Material	Strengths	Watch for
Steel	Strong, rigid, takes a powder coat	Rust at chips and welds if salt sits on it
Aluminum	Light, will not rust, easy on hinges and openers	Dents more easily; not for heavy impact
Wrought iron	Heavy, decorative, long-lived	Needs paint upkeep and stout posts
Wood	Warm look that matches a wood fence	Moves with moisture; needs bracing against sag
Vinyl	Low upkeep, matches vinyl fencing	Needs a metal frame on wide gates; stiff in deep cold
Composite infill	Wood look on a metal frame, little upkeep	The frame carries the weight; check its gauge

In a climate with road salt and deep cold, the finish matters as much as the metal. A powder-coated steel or aluminum frame with sealed welds holds up best by the street, where plow spray reaches.

Before Installation Day

A few checks belong before any hole is dug. They decide where the posts can go and whether the gate fits the opening at all.

• Property line and setback: confirm where the line is and how far back the gate must sit from the street or sidewalk.
• Permit check with the City of Bloomington for the fence, gate or electrical work.
• Utility locate through Gopher State One Call (811) at least 48 hours before digging, not counting weekends and holidays.
• Driveway slope and width, measured at the opening and through the swing or slide path.
• Power source location, if the gate will be automated, and the route for the trench or conduit.

Footings for Minnesota Frost

Frost pushes up on anything set too shallow. Minnesota’s building code puts the frost depth for footings at 42 inches in the southern part of the state, which takes in Hennepin County. Gate posts are not buildings, but the same frost acts on them: a hinge post that stops short of that depth can lift a little each winter and settle crooked each spring. Heavy driveway gates get wider, deeper footings than a walk gate, and the post is set plumb before the concrete goes in.

Every post is set level and plumb, and the work is checked again once the ground has settled around it.

What Shapes the Quote

Every opening is different, so we price after a look at the site. This tool shows which parts of your gate will drive the cost.

New Gates We Have Installed

A slatted slide gate and a composite double swing gate, each hung on posts set plumb and checked for level.

Installation Questions

Do I need a permit for a new gate in Bloomington?

It depends on the project. A gate that is part of a new fence, a gate on a commercial lot or one with new electrical work may fall under city zoning, setback or electrical rules. Check with the City of Bloomington before work starts; the rules in Edina, Richfield and the other nearby cities are their own.

Our HOA has design rules. When should we ask them?

Before the gate is ordered. Associations often set the style, height, color and material of anything facing the street. Get the approval in writing and keep the drawing or product sheet they approved.

How long does a gate take to install?

It depends on the gate. Concrete footings need time to cure before a heavy leaf hangs on them, so posts are often set on one visit and the gate hung on another. A manual walk gate is a much shorter job than an automated driveway gate that needs a trench for power.