A double swing gate is two leaves that meet in the middle — the traditional grand-entrance configuration for openings 12 to 20 feet, ideal when a single leaf would be too heavy or too long to swing well. On Orinda projects, Orinda properties are hillside more often than not — driveways climb, curve, and cross drainage; a swing arc that works on paper often collides with a retaining wall or a mature oak on-site.

Berkeley Hills fog cycles and steep decomposed-granite lots mean footings need drainage-first design and finishes must handle daily dew cycling without cupping. That's why every Orinda double swing gate we build begins with a site survey — we measure the opening, check soil and slope, identify utility lines, and confirm swing or slide clearance before a single drawing is issued.

Sapele mahogany is our default for double swing gates because both leaves must hang true and meet plumb at the astragal for years — Sapele's dimensional stability is what makes that meet-line hold. Steel-and-Sapele hybrids are common when the design calls for iron grille inserts or a speakeasy.

Steep Orinda approaches often push us toward sliding or bi-fold configurations for automation rather than a wide swing that would foul the grade. We work throughout Orinda Downs, Sleepy Hollow, Glorietta, the Orinda Country Club area, and Ivy Drive. We ship from our Concord workshop, ~15 miles from Orinda, and installation on a double swing gate typically takes two to four days on site.