A single swing gate is one leaf that pivots on hinges — the simplest, quietest, most reliable configuration when the driveway opening is 8 to 14 feet and there's clearance for the arc. 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 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 (Janka 1,510) is our most-specified species for single swing gates because a single leaf carries all its weight on one pair of hinges — Sapele's density and rot resistance let us build a leaf that stays flat for decades. White oak, ipe, and hot-rolled steel are all in-catalog alternates.

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 single swing gate typically takes two to four days on site.