Fence and Gate Guide

Both decorative and versatile, wooden gates add value and charm to any property. Although they’re most appropriate for residential properties, wood gates aren’t limited to rural areas or rustic landscaping styles. Although they work very well in these settings, they also are prized for adding an authentic touch to urban and suburban gardens and estates. Because wood is a natural material, wooden gates and fences blend perfectly with lush green landscaping. Decorative wooden gate hardware lets property owners express their creativity and individuality during the design process.

Another advantage of wood is that it’s less expensive than other materials. Although they’re not maintenance free, a well made wooden gate will hold up well under hard use as long as it’s properly preserved and maintained. They work well for perimeter fences, garden fences, and equestrian settings. Wooden gates and fences are a perfect combination. For garden entrances, an arched trellis or arbor can work in combination with the wooden gates design to show off vining plants and roses. Custom wooden gates cost more than ready made models but add a personal touch to any property. Old wooden gates can be obtained in antique shops and restored into a one-of-a-kind property enhancement. Top edges can be finished in ornate styles like the Mount Vernon dip or oval top cut. Decorative metal sculptures can be embedded in a cutout or top edge for your own personal touch.

Urban and suburban property owners usually want their decorative wooden gates to do double duty as privacy gates. Here, design makes all the difference. Ranch style gates have three or more horizontal slats with lots of air space in between. They are lightweight and practical but give little to no privacy. Picket gates have narrow vertical slats with less than one inch of space between each slat. The top of each slat is pointed or carved into an ornate shape. They are also called palisade gates. White is the most common color for a picket fence and gate, but designer colors and stains are becoming more popular. Plank gates also have vertical slats, but they’re wider than the picket gate, and the slats don’t have gaps. A plank gate provides the ultimate in privacy and security, but is heavier than other types.

Outdoor wooden gates have to withstand all kinds of weather conditions as well as repeated use. Quality materials and techniques used during the unit’s construction add the most value to a property. The first question to answer is what kind of wood it’s made of. Redwood and cedar, need very little maintenance and are lighter in weight than hardwood. Brazilian ipe wood fencing is also very low maintenance but is best in damp climates. IPE lumber is so dense that it’s best to buy it pre-stained, as it’s very difficult to stain in a home setting. These woods are best left unstained, since they will weather to a beautiful gray color that looks just right in a natural setting. At most they should only be treated with a UV inhibitor to minimize sun damage.

Pressure treated pine or other softwood holds up well but should be stained or painted for best durability. Pressure treated softwood has the advantage of being light weight. A lightweight wood gate is easier to open and close, and it doesn’t need as extensive a support system to hang it from. Large wooden gates should be manufactured from lighter weight wood, or constructed as double wooden gates, which will split the load on the support posts by 50 percent. Hardwood gates should be shorter than softwood gates because of weight. Softwood costs about the same as a metal gate of the same size, but hardwood is more expensive. Some designs consist of wood planks over a metal frame, which adds to the unit’s strength. If the metal frame is hollow, it will save weight.

When it comes to gate construction, the story is in the details. At the very least, look for a good smooth finish on the joints and board ends and make sure the pieces fit together tightly. This is especially true of pre-manufactured units. Jagged ends and sloppy construction are a sign that inferior materials might have been used, and they’re a tip-off that the unit won’t hold up over the years. Quality wooden gates use mortise and tenon construction. Look for chamfered joints instead of simply butting the two boards up against each other. The length of the guarantee is another indicator of quality, with warranties ranging from one to 25 years. A 25 year guarantee will mean paying more but is a sure sign of quality.

Your local building materials superstore will have wooden gates for sale in mass produced designs, but to really show off your property, consider ordering a custom model. These can be made to order by small specialty suppliers, who will provide input on how to approach your particular needs and help you come up with a product that looks and works perfectly.

Posts provide the support structure for wooden gates fences and other enclosures. These should be as sturdy as possible and anchored deep in the ground, preferably with a concrete base. More than just utilitarian, gate posts can be installed with decorative tops, either rounded or pointed. You can customize even a mass produced gate by choosing your own hardware, such as hinges and latches. These too should be as stout as possible, particularly with larger, heavier units. You will need to decide whether the unit mounts on the left or right before choosing your hardware, unless you have a double setup. Sliding wooden gates look and function beautifully but need different hardware than swinging models.

Automated wooden gates are readily available and are often used as wooden gates for driveways. These can be set up with electric or hydraulic carriers, to swing open and closed, or slide back and forth. Remote controls for both the car and the home control the unit from the comfort of your living room or vehicle. This type of setup can be part of an overall security system and delivers the ultimate in privacy and luxury.