Designing a gate for Wisconsin frost and snow
Southeast Wisconsin's ground freezes deep in a cold winter. Posts set too shallow get lifted by frost heave and lean a little more each year. We set footings for each site with that in mind.
Snow is the other design question. Ground-track sliding gates fill with plowed snow and ice, so a cantilever gate, which hangs on rollers mounted beside the opening, is often the better pick for lots that get plowed. Swing gates need a clear arc, which can disappear under a snowbank. Galvanized or powder-coated steel and aluminum hold up better against salt than bare steel.
Gates for warehouses, plants and yards
Many Milwaukee-area gate installs are commercial. Warehouses and distribution buildings in Oak Creek and Franklin, manufacturers in the Menomonee Valley and West Allis, and yards in Menomonee Falls and Germantown need gates that handle heavy truck traffic and many cycles a day.
We'll go over the opening width, traffic, how drivers and staff get in, and what happens if the power goes out. Operators can connect to keypads, card readers, remotes or gate access control. For existing gates, see commercial gate repair.
Private driveway gates
Residential gates are uncommon in the Milwaukee area, but some larger properties on the North Shore and in Ozaukee and Waukesha counties use them for privacy. For a driveway gate, we look at the driveway's slope, its distance from the road, where power will come from, and where the snow goes when you plow.
Check your city's zoning and any HOA rules on fence and gate height before choosing a design. We can help you understand what information they'll ask for.
When to schedule a gate install
Frozen ground makes digging footings and cutting in vehicle loops much harder, so spring through fall is the easiest time to install a new gate in southeast Wisconsin. If you're also repaving a lot or driveway, plan the gate first. Loops and conduit are easier to place before new asphalt goes down.
If a gate can't wait until spring, tell us. We'll explain what can be done in winter and what's better left for a thaw, so the posts and wiring go in right the first time.
What affects the price of a new gate?
Price depends on the gate's width, material and style, the operator, footings and posts, site work, power and access control. Long cantilever gates and heavy commercial operators cost more than a simple swing gate. We'll give you a written price after the site visit. See our national gate installation page or return to our Milwaukee service area page.
Signs you need gate installation
- You want privacy or security for a driveway that is open to the street
- Your current gate is rusted through, failing at the posts or beyond repair
- You want to automate a manual gate you open by hand
- Your gate operator is undersized and keeps breaking down
- Your gate has open rollers, gaps or pinch points you want made safe
- Your HOA or business needs a new entry gate or access system
Want the full rundown on causes, repair options and what to expect? Read our complete guide to gate installation, or see all gate services.
