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Double door gates · Galveston County, TX

Double Door Gate Installation in Galveston County, TX

A double door gate, also called a double drive or double swing gate, splits a wide opening into two leaves that meet in the middle. Each leaf is half as wide, so it swings half as far into the drive and hangs on lighter posts. In return, the pair needs hardware in the middle: a drop rod, a center stop and a latch.

  • Reviewed Sept 27, 2026
  • Sources: CLFMI gate spec, LiftMaster, Adjust-A-Gate
  • Interactive gate sizer
Call (346) 910-8641Size your gate
Double drive gate with wood infill in a black metal frame, installed by Mustang Fencing Services in Galveston, TX
A double drive gate with wood infill in a black metal frame, a Mustang Fencing Services project in Galveston, TX.
The short answer

Choose a double gate when one wide leaf would need too much room to swing or too heavy a post. Two leaves meet in the middle with about a 1 in gap, so each is roughly half the opening. A 16 ft opening becomes two leaves of about 7 ft 11½ in, and each sweeps about 8 ft into the drive instead of 16 ft. Opened by hand, the pair needs a drop rod into a center stop set in concrete, a latch, and hold-backs to keep open leaves from swinging. Automated, it needs two operators, one per leaf.

½How far each leaf swings into the drive, compared with one leaf across the whole opening
1 inSuggested gap between the two leaves of a double gate (Adjust-A-Gate)
6 × 24 inMinimum concrete footing for the center stop: 6 in across, 24 in deep (CLFMI)
2.875 inChain link post OD for an 8 ft leaf up to 6 ft tall; one 16 ft leaf needs 4.000 in (CLFMI)

Sources: Jewett-Cameron Adjust-A-Gate instructions; CLFMI Section 32 31 13, Table 2.9 B and §3.5 A. Leaf and swing figures are arithmetic.

When two leaves beat one

Most drives need a 12 to 16 ft opening. You can close that with one wide swing leaf, two leaves that meet in the middle, or a slide gate. Our driveway gate guide covers the whole choice. A double door gate is the right answer when:

  • There isn’t room for one big swing. A single leaf sweeps a quarter circle as wide as the opening. Two leaves each sweep half that.
  • The drive is short or slopes up. A shorter leaf clears the ground more easily as it swings. A long leaf’s tip drags on an uphill drive first.
  • You want lighter leaves and posts. In the chain link industry spec, post size goes up with leaf width. Two narrower leaves hang on smaller posts than one wide leaf.
  • You want the look. Two matched leaves, often arched to meet at the center, are the classic estate entrance. See estate entry gates for the custom end of that.

The trade-off is the middle. With nothing fixed where the leaves meet, one leaf has to be pinned to the ground before the other can latch to it. Our guide to drop rods and center stops explains that hardware in detail. If there isn’t room to swing at all, look at a slide gate.

Double gate sizer

Enter the opening between the hinge posts. You’ll see each leaf’s width, how far it swings into the drive compared with one wide leaf, the chain link industry post size for both, and the hardware a pair of leaves needs.

7′ 11½″EACH LEAF
Swing
Posts
Hardware
Direction

Leaf width = (opening − 1 in gap) ÷ 2, using the gap suggested in Jewett-Cameron’s Adjust-A-Gate instructions; hinge-side clearances come off this too. Swing: a leaf sweeps a quarter circle as wide as the leaf. Posts: CLFMI Section 32 31 13, Table 2.9 B (chain link swing gates, ASTM F900). Hardware: CLFMI §3.5 A. Operators: LiftMaster CSW24UL, one listed swing operator used as an example. A planning aid; the estimate measures your actual opening.

Plan view of two 16 foot openings side by side. On the left, one 16 foot leaf swings inward, sweeping a shaded quarter circle 16 feet deep. On the right, two 8 foot leaves meet at a center stop and swing inward, each sweeping a quarter circle only 8 feet deep. A note says everything in the shaded area must stay clear: cars, bins, planters and slopes 16 FT 8 FT ONE 16 FT LEAF TWO 8 FT LEAVES Everything in the shaded area must stay clear: cars, bins, planters, a slope Each leaf sweeps half as far into the drive ▪ center stop for the drop rod INSIDE THE PROPERTY · BOTH GATES SWING INWARD
A-1
DrawingSwing room: one 16 ft leaf against two 8 ft leaves
BasisGeometry: a swing leaf sweeps a quarter circle whose radius is its width. Inward swing per Adjust-A-Gate and UFC 4-022-03 §3-3.3. Not to scale
ScaleNot to scale
The same 16 ft opening. One leaf needs 16 ft of clear, level ground behind the gate. Two leaves need 8 ft.
Double drive gate with wood board infill in a black metal frame, closed between a wood fence and a house
A double gate with wood infill in a black metal frame, from a project in Galveston.
Galvanized chain link fence along a residential lawn with a gate across the concrete drive
A galvanized chain link fence with a gate across the drive, from a Mustang project.
Single wide galvanized chain link drive gate with diagonal bracing and a support wheel across a residential lot
The alternative: one wide chain link leaf, braced and carried on a support wheel. From a project in Galveston.

Two leaves hang on smaller posts

Chain link swing gates over 6 ft tall: the gatepost size the industry spec calls for, by leaf width.

12 ft opening, one leaf4 in12 ft, two 6 ft leaves2.875 in16 ft opening, one leaf6.625 in16 ft, two 8 ft leaves4 in20 ft opening, one leaf8.625 in20 ft, two 10 ft leaves4 in
CLFMI Guide for Specifying Chain Link Fence, Section 32 31 13, Table 2.9 B (swing gates per ASTM F900; fabric over 6 ft to 12 ft). For gates up to 6 ft tall the table steps are smaller: 4.000 in for a 10–18 ft leaf, 2.875 in for a 4–10 ft leaf.
Elevation of a double gate across a 16 foot opening. Two leaves of about 7 feet 11 and a half inches hang from hinge posts at each side, with about a 1 inch gap between them. A drop rod on the left, passive leaf drops into a center stop set in a concrete footing at least 6 inches across and 24 inches deep. A latch on the right, active leaf closes against the passive leaf. The leaves clear the ground by 3 inches 16 FT OPENING (EXAMPLE) ≈ 7 FT 11½ IN≈ 7 FT 11½ IN about 1 in gap between the leaves (kit maker’s suggestion) Drop rod on the passive leaf drops into a center stop set in concrete ≥ 6 in across, 24 in deep Latch on the active leaf closes against the passive one Bottom clearance 3 in, grade permitting Hinge posts carry each leaf
A-2
DrawingA manual double gate: the parts that make it work
BasisCLFMI Section 32 31 13 §3.5 A (3 in bottom clearance grade permitting; drop bar receiver footing 6 in × 24 in; hold-backs on all double gates); Adjust-A-Gate (1 in gap). Not to scale
ScaleNot to scale
The passive leaf is pinned by its drop rod; the active leaf latches to it. Details and variations are in our drop rod guide.

Materials for a double gate

  • Wrought iron and steel: the heaviest leaves and the classic arched pair. Coating matters in salt air.
  • Aluminum: much lighter leaves for the same look, and it won’t rust.
  • Wood: matches a wood fence. Wide wood leaves tend to sag, which is why many are built on a steel frame like the gates shown here.
  • Vinyl: matches a vinyl fence. Vinyl gate kits are built around an internal frame; ask to see it.
  • Chain link: the most economical pair for a wide drive, farm or commercial yard, with post sizes set by the industry table above.

What happens at the estimate

  1. Measure the opening between the hinge posts, and what has to pass through it: cars, a boat trailer, equipment.
  2. Check the swing room behind the gate for each leaf, and whether the drive slopes up.
  3. Choose material and style to match your fence, with the hinges, latch, drop rod and hold-backs.
  4. Decide now whether you might automate later, so the posts and leaves are chosen for it.

You get a written quote. Then the posts are set, the leaves hung and the hardware adjusted so both leaves meet and latch cleanly.

What affects cost and timing

  • Opening width. Wider openings mean longer leaves and heavier posts.
  • Material and height. Iron and steel cost more than chain link for the same opening; taller leaves need heavier posts.
  • Hardware. Drop rod and center stop, latch, hold-backs, and heavier hinges for heavy leaves.
  • Automation. Two operators, power to both, and the safety devices for each leaf.
  • Site work. A slope, an old gate to remove, or concrete to cut for the center stop.

Financing is available through the providers on our financing page, subject to credit approval.

What Galveston customers say

5.0
91 Google reviews · read them all on Google
★★★★★
Very professional and friendly. Gotten automatic gates done and they are done to perfection! Thank you
Tannia Cravinas · Google review · a year ago
★★★★★
had an excellent experience with mustang fencing From the initial consultation to the final installation, the team was professional, punctual, and attentive to detail. They helped me choose the perfect fence style to match my property and ensured everything was installed with precision. The quality of materials is top-notch, and the fence has completely transformed the look and security of my home. I highly recommend mustang services to anyone looking for reliable and high-quality fencing services!
Abdul Wahab · Google review · a year ago
★★★★★
My new fence looks fantastic and has added both privacy and style to my yard. Highly recommend their services for anyone in need of fencing!
Jaweria Malik · Google review · 2 years ago

Reviews shown word for word from the Mustang Fencing Services Google Business Profile (Galveston), captured 2026-09-27.

Questions we get about this

What is a double door gate?
A gate made of two leaves hung from posts on either side of an opening, meeting in the middle. It is also called a double drive gate or double swing gate.
When is a double gate better than one wide gate?
When there isn’t room behind the gate for one leaf to swing the full width of the opening, when the drive slopes up, or when you want lighter leaves and posts. Each leaf of a double gate sweeps about half as far into the drive.
How wide is each leaf of a double gate?
Roughly half the opening, less a small gap in the middle. Adjust-A-Gate suggests about 1 inch between double gates, so a 16 ft opening gives two leaves of about 7 ft 11½ in before any hinge-side clearance. The estimate measures your actual opening.
Does a double gate need a drop rod?
If it is opened by hand, yes. The passive leaf is pinned with a drop rod into a center stop, and the active leaf latches to it. The chain link industry spec sets the center stop in concrete at least 6 inches across and 24 inches deep. Our drop rod guide has the details.
Should a double gate swing in or out?
Usually in, toward the property. Gate kits are designed to open inward, security specifications swing double vehicle gates toward the secured side, and an automated swing gate must not open into public access areas.
Can a double gate be automated?
Yes. Each leaf gets its own operator, with power to each. The gate is built to ASTM F2200 and the operators listed to UL 325. Check that each leaf is within the operator’s rated length and weight.
Is financing available for a double gate?
Yes. Financing is available through the providers listed on our financing page, subject to credit approval.

Sources

Checked September 27, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the City before you build.

  1. Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute, Guide for Specifying Chain Link Fence, Section 32 31 13 — Table 2.9 B gatepost sizes by leaf width; §3.5 A bottom clearance, drop bar receiver footing, hold-backs on all double gates.
  2. Jewett-Cameron, Adjust-A-Gate installation instructions (AG36/AG60) — 1 in suggested gap between double gates; designed to open inward; drop rod kits for double drive gates.
  3. LiftMaster CSW24UL swing gate operator installation manual — maximum gate 800 lb/16 ft or 600 lb/18 ft; power to each operator on dual gates; release both operators; swinging gates not into public access areas.
  4. UFC 4-022-03, Security Fences and Gates (U.S. Department of Defense) — §3-3.3: double swing vehicular gates swing inward, toward the secured area.
  5. City of Galveston Ordinance No. 23-012 (2021 IRC adoption, Appendix AO) — automated vehicular gates: ASTM F2200 and UL 325.
Free on-site estimate

Planning a double gate?

We’ll measure the opening and the swing room behind it, and recommend the leaves, posts and hardware to match your fence. Free on-site estimates across Galveston County.

Call (346) 910-8641Request an estimate

Keep planning

ServiceDriveway gatesGuideDrop rods and center stopsServiceElectric gatesServiceEstate entry gatesServiceWrought iron gatesGuideSlide gates: cantilever vs. V-track
Page reviewed September 27, 2026 by Mustang Fencing Services, Galveston. Next review due March 2027.

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Prefer to talk? Call (346) 910-8641.

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