The finishing touch to your landscaping project, a practical addition to your garden or just replacing a garden element to refresh the look of your open space. A wooden garden gate will compliment your attractive garden design and make it feel complete.
How to choose the right gate for you? …. There are a number of factors to consider including function, size, design and style.
Gardens by nature are enclosures but will your gate be…
- To allow access and create security
- Keep children and /or dogs in
- A focal point of your outdoor living space?
The function of the gate will have an impact on all of your other choices. However, whatever the function maybe, a gate can give you great scope to create something different without necessarily incurring a complete garden overhaul.
When entering your property, the gates are the first thing you see and therefore they set the tone for what you will find behind them. The style & design of the gate needs to take in to consideration the architecture of the house and the adjoining fence, wall or hedge. To this end, the wood you choose needs to compliment the overall effect you are trying to convey but also be practical for your needs.
Pressure treated softwood for example is inexpensive, if you are working within the constraints of a tight budget. They are usually lighter in colour than hardwoods but can be easily treated with preservative to increase their durability. Examples of softwoods include larch and Russian or Scandanavian redwood:
- Russian or Scandanavian redwood – durable with little movement and gives a good finish
- Larch – tough & enduring
Hardwoods are more water resistant compared to softwoods and they are naturally strong and durable but as they are slow growing timbers they are more expensive.
Examples of hardwoods are;
- Oak – durable but cracks
- Iroko – extremely durable for outdoors
Once you have decided on the best type of wood for your needs, you need to think about the design. For example will the top edge be staggered, straight or curved? Will the body of the gate be made up of slats (open or closed) or lattice?
The size of your garden gate is also dependent on the style and design of your garden. A standard gate is typically 3 to 4ft wide however bespoke made to measure designs are available and can be duplicated if you require more than one gate in your garden.
Once these decisions have been made you can enhance your design or personalise a standard gate with a choice of
- Hinges
- Staining or preservative
- Closure (Lock or latch)
- Routered name or inscription
Set the scene of your outdoor living space by making the entryway distinctive and complimentary to your style. From a simple standard, off the shelf design to meet your functional needs to an elaborate, antique look or elegant design to arouse interest and expectations of what lies within.
Finally always choose a gate created with excellent craftsmanship, long lasting guarantees and that you are going to admire!
