Selecting the best garden entrance from the huge variety of garden gate designs available is a crucial decision. After all, your gate is the first sight you see when you arrive home and the last scene your guests see as they leave. Most people create an impression about you and your home in less than 7 seconds.
You have almost no time to make a good impression, so installing the best garden gate you can is imperative. We realise this can be a big ask, so here we offer homeowners in-depth design advice that fits your style and functional needs so you can enjoy your gate every time you open it.
Assessing your needs when choosing the best garden gate
Whether you need a new garden gate for the front, back or side of your property, discover the best garden gate to offer security, privacy and protection to your home. The best way to narrow down the type of gate you need is to assess:
- Aesthetic need - the overall gate design that fits your home’s aesthetic
- Budget – what is your overall budget for buying and installing the gate?
- Purpose – What are the main purposes and uses of the gate
- Regularity of use - how often will the gate be used?
If your main concern is security and the gate location is the back or side of your property, then a tall gate made of heavy-duty wooden tongue and groove or closed lap is a robust choice. Metal garden gates are an excellent deterrent against intruders who might not be easily deterred.
With so many choices, it is worth looking at an overview of common materials. These include wood, metal and composite (vinyl). How do you choose? The answer is based on your preference when choosing your preferred garden gate designs.
Material choices
Material choices are a vital consideration. Here is a condensed list of advantages and disadvantages to help you decide what material is best for your landscape.
Wooden gates
Wooden garden gates are probably the most popular gate type. Designs are available in traditional, classic or contemporary styles. You can choose from options such as:
- Featheredge
- Overlap
- Picket fence
- Tongue and groove
- Wooden board side
Wooden pressure treated gates have an extended lifespan and can easily fit into a garden gate design that complements the remainder of your garden fences or hardscaping.
Whether you are looking for a garden gate to fit into a cottage-style garden or a more traditional garden, our gates are just the ticket. What is more, many are made from sustainable wood using PEFC or FSC-certified timber, which is good for you and the planet. Read our fence-buying guide for more details on sustainable fencing.
Metal gates
High-quality metal gates offer no-nonsense charm and durability while being extremely low maintenance. Some metal gates are made from recycled metal and offer a contemporary touch that can be as modern or minimalist as you desire. If security is uppermost in your garden gate designs, then metal gates are necessary.
Garden gate maintenance
Bear in mind that all gates, no matter what they are made from, require some maintenance. Wooden gates that are dip or pressure treated have the upper hand on wooden gates they are not, but with regular attention, even cheap wooden garden gates can last for years.
Metal gates are usually made from powder-coated aluminium and have longevity built in. However, even metal gates need checking occasionally to ensure there are no rust spots or damage.
Garden gate designs and options
Choosing the best garden gate design for your home starts with understanding the design styles available. If your garden design is traditional and classic with wooden fence panels, you might prefer wooden garden gate designs. There are plenty of styles to choose from, so mixing and matching are possible to highlight individuality. It is down to personal taste.
Picket fences and gates
Picket fences and garden gates work well in country cottage-style designs, shabby chic aesthetics, a rustic look and even French antique styles. If you are going for a more British rural garden look, decorative timber fences and gates are a great feature that can bring together the planting and the landscaping by framing the boundaries and creating a pleasant backdrop.
Contemporary designs
Modern or contemporary designs may also favour timber fences and gates with straight lines and minimal decoration. Modern styling is based firmly on the mid-1900s onwards, whereas contemporary styling involves current trends. Ornate wrought iron fences and gates are modern and glass balustrades or feature walls are considered contemporary.
Bespoke designs
Often, your budget dictates the overall scheme, as more bespoke designs are more expensive. Combining glass with anything is expensive. Combining glass, concrete and metal may be considered contemporary and on-trend; however, it is also a gate design choice that requires deep pockets.
Customisation options
Budget aside, there are ways you can customise your choice, and these ideas do not have to break the bank. Why not ponder on the following?
1) Painting your new garden gate and fences
Choosing a unique colour scheme is a relatively cost-effective way of making a mark on your property. Consider painting your picket fence and picket gate a sage green or lilac colour to gently blend in with the planting. If you use the recommended exterior paint designed for timber, you are creating a bespoke theme and protecting the fabric of your boundaries against weathering and pests.
2) Adding decorative elements
Garden gate design can incorporate some quirky features. Consider inserting a stained glass or leaded light panel into your gate. How about some hedging interspersed with fence panels? Go one step further and add some topiary. Topiary is the art of clipping shrubs or trees into ornamental shapes; this is garden art in its most elaborate form.
3) Automation features
Automating your garden or driveway gate is not only a practical feature but could also be considered fun. Imagine opening your garden gate from the comfort of your armchair: it is a bit like lowering the drawbridge— a Bond-esque way to make an aesthetic statement.
If your gates have hinges facing each other, adding automation to your gates is a straightforward job. For most people, adding an opening system requires a professional and is not something we recommend even for the most avid DIYer.
Practical considerations when choosing the best garden gate
There are always practical considerations when installing new features in your garden or outdoor space, this includes choosing the best garden gate for your needs. While you do not usually need planning consent to replace your boundary fences and garden gates, there are always exceptions to the rules that might need consideration.
Planning permission
The planning department at the council will have the regulations to view online. The exception to the rule is usually when you wish to increase the height of your fences or include a garden building shed or outbuilding that might cast a shadow onto another's property. If in doubt, always seek professional advice before you start building.
DIY vs professional installation
We frequently discuss professional advice in this blog because there is a line between efficient DIY and professional installations. While we are enthusiastic advocates of people using their skills to improve their surroundings, there are some things that should be left to the professionals.
Any job that requires electrical or plumbing work (including gas installations) should be left to skilled tradespeople. If you need a certificate for any work, get the professionals in. There is nothing worse than putting your house or flat on the market and causing a hold-up on the sale because your documents are incomplete. Let us face it: incomplete documents could be the least of your problems. Unless you are confident you can complete any work without causing danger to others, then leave the technical stuff to the experts.
Garden gate designs that embrace sustainability and eco-friendliness
Being green is not just about planting. These days, there is more at stake than ever before; that is why we offer a range of eco-friendly options to incorporate into your garden gate designs. Forest Garden designs wooden gates here in the UK that are sustainable and eco-friendly. Forest Garden uses PEFC or FSC-certified timber, which means each tree used to make timber products is replaced and sourced wood is recycled whenever possible.
Timber is ecological, but more than that, it is naturally beautiful and fabulous to work with and customise. Forest Garden offers many styles of garden gates, from double-slatted to acoustic noise reduction gates to vertical and horizontal tongue and groove security gates. If you want a wooden pale picket gate, Forest Garden makes those. There are also plenty of decorative gates in different designs, making it entirely possible to be stylish and environmentally friendly.
Final thoughts
Choosing garden gate designs for your outdoor space is fun and is now made even easier by our extensive choice combined with professional advice. We have a gate for you, no matter your budget or design choice. Are you looking for a contemporary gate? We have those. If you want a modern gate, we sell those too. If a rustic country cottage is your preference, we can help. We have the best garden gates for traditional and classic landscape designs in timber and metal. Why not contact us today to find out more?
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need planning permission when installing garden gates?
Generally, you only need planning permission to install wooden, plastic or metal garden gates if you install a gate taller than two meters high. A new garden gate creates a great first impression, but it also acts as a robust barrier between you and the street or road you live on.
There are always practical considerations when installing new features in your garden or outside space, such as choosing the best garden gate for your home. While you do not usually need to follow planning regulations to replace your boundary fences and garden gates, there can be exceptions to the rules you should consider.
The planning department at your local authority will have specific regulations to view online, these will vary from one council to another. The exception to the will “no permission needed” rule is usually about increasing the height of your fences or garden gates to such an extent that they cast shadows onto your neighbour’s property. If in doubt, always seek advice from the council before starting your project. Here is a useful link to find out who to contact at the council.
Choosing garden gate designs for your outdoor space is not tricky when you realise, we have many choices combined with professional advice. We have a robust garden gate for you, regardless of budget or design style. If you want a contemporary garden gate, we have them. If you prefer a modern gate, we sell those as well. If a rustic garden gate is your preference, click here. We have the best side, back and front garden gates for traditional and classic landscape designs in various hardwearing materials.
Contact us
Contact Buy Fencing Direct at 0333 003 0515 to purchase a garden gate to match your fence. Our knowledgeable UK-based team is always happy to help. Everyone at Buy Fencing Direct is an expert at finding the most suitable garden gates, fencing and accessories for you, no matter where you are based in the UK. You can also message us by email through our easy-to-use contact form. You can chat with us via the Live Chat pop-up app, which appears when you visit our website.