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Wooden gates

We know that you can buy cheaper garden gates for your drive from some other company but we think you will have to go a long way to ensure that the quality of timber used from many traditional fencing companies is somewhat lacking. You want your driveway gates to look good and fit in with their surroundings. That's why we offer standard and made to measure (bespoke) timber gates. Whether you decide to buy from us and do a diy fitting or go the whole hog and have us design, manufacture and assemble your gates for you, we are there to help.
All our gates can be adapted to take electric opening devices.

Wooden garden gates

Wooden Gates: Classic Design, Modern Functionality

There are few things that are as impressive and inspire so much admiration as a beautifully constructed wood gate. Used for many hundreds of years throughout history, wooden gates are a recognizable and useful feature of many types of structures almost anywhere you go in the world. Different cultures have come up with their own different takes on this tremendously functional invention, from the simple and traditional to the grandiose and heavily ornate, and even to the rustic and humble. The wooden gate truly transcends all boundaries–social, economic and cultural–and you can find them in the most majestic castle to the most backwoods country cabin.

Why you should consider a wooden gate

You are perhaps already aware of how beautiful a wooden gate can be, and the desire to purchase one because of its aesthetic appeal is probably what led you to read this article in the first place. This is indeed a major deciding factor, given the stylishness and elegance that a wood gate can bring to even the most lackluster home. There is just something about a quality wood driveway gate that speaks volumes about class and sophistication, all the more so when you are talking about custom wood gates that are designed with other materials and construction elements that serve to enhance and accentuate its beauty. Even the most modest home can be greatly improved with the addition of wooden entrance gates, and already impressive homes will be enhanced even further.

A large part of what makes wood gates so appealing to the eye is the grain. There are many woods that are imprinted with that characteristically graceful combination of swirls and whorls that simply cannot be matched by any other material. A number of manufacturers have come up with wood substitutes that for their timber gates, although come close to the look of wood and perhaps even provide a number of advantages of their own, simply cannot compare to a genuine wood gate. One thing is for sure: the satisfaction of owning a high quality piece of workmanship will simply not be there if you go for a substitute.

Wood also makes a good material for a gate for reasons other than its aesthetic beauty. It is fairly durable, fairly light and it can be adapted to a wide range of uses. You can choose to have wooden entry gates made out of a solid piece of wood for example, or you can opt for a design that is made up of separate slabs of timber. You can even have wooden driveway gates that are made up of smaller slats of wood, either arranged in a simple manner, or interwoven together in an intricate pattern.

Wood also does not retain heat as a metal gate would. This might not be too big a deal if you lived in a temperate climate, but for those closer to the equator, this factor is a bigger concern.

The drawbacks to having a wooden gate

Of course wood / timber is not a perfect construction material…but then again, nothing really is. One of the biggest drawbacks to using wood as the main material for your gate is its vulnerability to the elements. Admittedly, this is only a major concern if your intended usage is for outdoor purposes, as is the case with wooden driveway gates and wooden garden gates. This constant exposure to the elements can wreak havoc on many types of wood, and your gate is no exception. Possibly the biggest threat to the integrity of your wood gate is moisture, which can come in the form of rain, snow, sleet, and even humidity in the air. This can cause your beloved wooden gate to warp and buckle and once it has done that, there usually is no way to reverse or correct the damage.

Exposure to the sun can also cause considerable wear and tear to your wooden gate, giving it that discolored and “weathered” look. Sometimes this can produce a desirable effect, but most often it just makes your gate look old and worn down.

A wooden garden gate is particularly prone to these types of damages. In addition to exposure to the elements, its usage as in the garden means that it likely comes in contact with water from your gardening activities frequently.

Take heart however: it’s not all bad news. There are a number of wood treatment methods that have been developed over the years to help your wood gates withstand the forces of nature. These typically involve the application of chemicals–which are harmless to humans and pets–in the factory prior to shipping them out to the construction suppliers. These protective chemicals help make your wood more resilient and durable in the face of rugged weather conditions, and greatly increase their serviceable life. Some of these types of woods are so robust in fact, that they can almost rival metal for their long lifespan. And the best part of it all is that the treatment process does not detract one bit from the look and feel of the wood, so you can have the same beautiful wood design that you want, but with greater longevity.

All these disadvantages take into consideration that the gate is for outdoor use. When used for other means, as you will see later in this article, virtually all of these concerns are non-existent.

Common wooden gate designs

There are many designs of wooden gates as used for the entrance of a home. Some of these designs are true classics that have been in use for many centuries and they have either been modified slightly to conform to modern day requirements and tastes, or in some cases, radically altered.

One if the designs that have stood the test of time–both in functionality and in aesthetic appeal–is the Knightsbridge style wooden gate. This design uses two gates of equal size that close shut in the middle, with each side having a post on the inner and the outer edge. The top of the gate is characteristically curved in a gentle line, with the highest point of the curve near the inner edge where the two gates meet. The main part of each gate is composed of slats that can be anywhere from 4 to 6 inches wide.

Another common type of gate is the church style rounded top–which as you may have guessed–is reminiscent of the gates used in churches all over Europe in the old days. The church style gate is very similar to the Knightsbridge style, but constructed with holes along the top so that anyone who is inside can look through.

The regent style wooden gate is yet another gate that takes its cue from timber gates of years past, but interestingly enough, it somehow blends in with more modern architectural designs. This can perhaps be partly explained by its simple and streamlined design that presents a timeless geometric look. When closed, the regent type wooden gate has a gently curving top that is unbroken by posts or any other ornamental design element. Like the other previous examples of wooden drive gates, the regent style gate is also made of wooden slats, but these are arranged in a diagonal manner, resulting in a distinctive arrowhead pattern when the gate is closed.

Of course, no article about wooden gates would be complete without mentioning the classic country style gate. Almost everyone has seen these types of gates before, either on a visit the country or through numerous depictions on TV and film. These types of gates are constructed as one piece that is hinged on one side and is latched on the opposite side, as opposed to the dual panel designs of the previous examples, which opens up in the middle.

Other uses of wooden gates

We have focused the bulk of this article on gates that are designed for use in the entrance or driveway of a house. However, there are actually many other uses of these gates, the most common non-driveway uses being wood baby gates and wood pet gates. When used for these purposes, wood gates have many of the same advantages that they have when used as wood driveway gates. The good news is that since this usage is typically limited to indoors, they are not prone to the same types of wear and tear that outdoor gates are. Of course they will still have to bear the brunt of being used–and abused–by two of the most destructive forces known to man: babies and pets! Given the resilience and durability of wood as a material however, they are probably up to the challenge!

From the past, into the future

Even with all the advances in modern technology and construction that we enjoy today, wooden gates remain a practical device to have over a wide variety of applications. It seems that no matter how far down the road to technological innovation we travel, we still yearn for the timeless functionality and elegant design of a wooden gate and that yearning shows no sign of ending any time in the near future.

Electric gates

Wooden safety gates

Security gates

Wooden pet gates

Wooden baby gates

Iron gates

Wooden gate hardware

Fence gates

Garden fencing

Please call us on 0844 8920130 for a quote

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Wooden gates
We know that you can buy cheaper garden gates for your drive from some other company but we think you will have to go a long way to ensure that the quality of timber used from many traditional fencing companies is somewhat lacking. You want your driveway gates to look good and fit in with their surroundings. That's why we offer standard and made to measure (bespoke) timber gates. Whether you decide to buy from us and do a diy fitting or go the whole hog and have us design, manufacture and assemble your gates for you, we are there to help. All our gates can be adapted to take electric opening devices. Wooden garden gates Wooden Gates: Classic Design, Modern Functionality There are few things that are as impressive and inspire so much admiration as a beautifully constructed wood gate. Used for many hundreds of years throughout history, wooden gates are a recognizable and useful feature of many types of structures almost anywhere you go in the world. Different cultures have come up with their own different takes on this tremendously functional invention, from the simple and traditional to the grandiose and heavily ornate, and even to the rustic and humble. The wooden gate truly transcends all boundaries–social, economic and cultural–and you can find them in the most majestic castle to the most backwoods country cabin. Why you should consider a wooden gate You are perhaps already aware of how beautiful a wooden gate can be, and the desire to purchase one because of its aesthetic appeal is probably what led you to read this article in the first place. This is indeed a major deciding factor, given the stylishness and elegance that a wood gate can bring to even the most lackluster home. There is just something about a quality wood driveway gate that speaks volumes about class and sophistication, all the more so when you are talking about custom wood gates that are designed with other materials and construction elements that serve to enhance and accentuate its beauty. Even the most modest home can be greatly improved with the addition of wooden entrance gates, and already impressive homes will be enhanced even further. A large part of what makes wood gates so appealing to the eye is the grain. There are many woods that are imprinted with that characteristically graceful combination of swirls and whorls that simply cannot be matched by any other material. A number of manufacturers have come up with wood substitutes that for their timber gates, although come close to the look of wood and perhaps even provide a number of advantages of their own, simply cannot compare to a genuine wood gate. One thing is for sure: the satisfaction of owning a high quality piece of workmanship will simply not be there if you go for a substitute. Wood also makes a good material for a gate for reasons other than its aesthetic beauty. It is fairly durable, fairly light and it can be adapted to a wide range of uses. You can choose to have wooden entry gates made out of a solid piece of wood for example, or you can opt for a design that is made up of separate slabs of timber. You can even have wooden driveway gates that are made up of smaller slats of wood, either arranged in a simple manner, or interwoven together in an intricate pattern. Wood also does not retain heat as a metal gate would. This might not be too big a deal if you lived in a temperate climate, but for those closer to the equator, this factor is a bigger concern. The drawbacks to having a wooden gate Of course wood / timber is not a perfect construction material…but then again, nothing really is. One of the biggest drawbacks to using wood as the main material for your gate is its vulnerability to the elements. Admittedly, this is only a major concern if your intended usage is for outdoor purposes, as is the case with wooden driveway gates and wooden garden gates. This constant exposure to the elements can wreak havoc on many types of wood, and your gate is no exception. Possibly the biggest threat to the integrity of your wood gate is moisture, which can come in the form of rain, snow, sleet, and even humidity in the air. This can cause your beloved wooden gate to warp and buckle and once it has done that, there usually is no way to reverse or correct the damage. Exposure to the sun can also cause considerable wear and tear to your wooden gate, giving it that discolored and “weathered” look. Sometimes this can produce a desirable effect, but most often it just makes your gate look old and worn down. A wooden garden gate is particularly prone to these types of damages. In addition to exposure to the elements, its usage as in the garden means that it likely comes in contact with water from your gardening activities frequently. Take heart however: it’s not all bad news. There are a number of wood treatment methods that have been developed over the years to help your wood gates withstand the forces of nature. These typically involve the application of chemicals–which are harmless to humans and pets–in the factory prior to shipping them out to the construction suppliers. These protective chemicals help make your wood more resilient and durable in the face of rugged weather conditions, and greatly increase their serviceable life. Some of these types of woods are so robust in fact, that they can almost rival metal for their long lifespan. And the best part of it all is that the treatment process does not detract one bit from the look and feel of the wood, so you can have the same beautiful wood design that you want, but with greater longevity. All these disadvantages take into consideration that the gate is for outdoor use. When used for other means, as you will see later in this article, virtually all of these concerns are non-existent. Common wooden gate designs There are many designs of wooden gates as used for the entrance of a home. Some of these designs are true classics that have been in use for many centuries and they have either been modified slightly to conform to modern day requirements and tastes, or in some cases, radically altered. One if the designs that have stood the test of time–both in functionality and in aesthetic appeal–is the Knightsbridge style wooden gate. This design uses two gates of equal size that close shut in the middle, with each side having a post on the inner and the outer edge. The top of the gate is characteristically curved in a gentle line, with the highest point of the curve near the inner edge where the two gates meet. The main part of each gate is composed of slats that can be anywhere from 4 to 6 inches wide. Another common type of gate is the church style rounded top–which as you may have guessed–is reminiscent of the gates used in churches all over Europe in the old days. The church style gate is very similar to the Knightsbridge style, but constructed with holes along the top so that anyone who is inside can look through. The regent style wooden gate is yet another gate that takes its cue from timber gates of years past, but interestingly enough, it somehow blends in with more modern architectural designs. This can perhaps be partly explained by its simple and streamlined design that presents a timeless geometric look. When closed, the regent type wooden gate has a gently curving top that is unbroken by posts or any other ornamental design element. Like the other previous examples of wooden drive gates, the regent style gate is also made of wooden slats, but these are arranged in a diagonal manner, resulting in a distinctive arrowhead pattern when the gate is closed. Of course, no article about wooden gates would be complete without mentioning the classic country style gate. Almost everyone has seen these types of gates before, either on a visit the country or through numerous depictions on TV and film. These types of gates are constructed as one piece that is hinged on one side and is latched on the opposite side, as opposed to the dual panel designs of the previous examples, which opens up in the middle. Other uses of wooden gates We have focused the bulk of this article on gates that are designed for use in the entrance or driveway of a house. However, there are actually many other uses of these gates, the most common non-driveway uses being wood baby gates and wood pet gates. When used for these purposes, wood gates have many of the same advantages that they have when used as wood driveway gates. The good news is that since this usage is typically limited to indoors, they are not prone to the same types of wear and tear that outdoor gates are. Of course they will still have to bear the brunt of being used–and abused–by two of the most destructive forces known to man: babies and pets! Given the resilience and durability of wood as a material however, they are probably up to the challenge! From the past, into the future Even with all the advances in modern technology and construction that we enjoy today, wooden gates remain a practical device to have over a wide variety of applications. It seems that no matter how far down the road to technological innovation we travel, we still yearn for the timeless functionality and elegant design of a wooden gate and that yearning shows no sign of ending any time in the near future.	Electric gates Wooden safety gates Security gates Wooden pet gates Wooden baby gates Iron gates Wooden gate hardware Fence gates Garden fencing Please call us on 0844 8920130 for a quote