The Pros and Cons of Wooden Gates
Wooden gates are a popular choice in many parts of the world, and there are many design options out there. They’re often used to match a wood fence, but they can also be used as estate gates or ornate entrance gates.
However, like everything in the world of fencing and gates, there are pros and cons to choosing wooden gates for your home or property.
Pros of Wooden Gates
We like the look of wooden gates, so let’s start with the pros of choosing this type of gate for your driveway or any other entrance.
- Since most wooden gates are custom-built, you can choose a design that appeals to you
- Wooden gates look great!
- Depending on the design, wooden gates offer a high level of privacy, which is perfect for residential properties
- If you have a wood fence, your wooden gate will blend in perfectly
- Well-built wood gates are durable and will look good for a long time
- A custom built wooden gate can be made to fit any opening and fence height
Cons of Wooden Gates
Of course, there’s a downside to everything, and wooden gates are not immune! Here are the potential problems you might face when choosing wooden gates:
- Gates made from wood are very heavy, which means they might sag, and you might need heavier-duty hardware
- Because wood gates are so heavy, it can be difficult and more expensive to automate them, if you want gate automation on an entrance gate
- Wood fence and gates can rot and is susceptible to attack by insects – but choosing cedar or treated wood for your fence and gates helps to negate this problem
- IF you choose to paint or stain your wooden gates, you will have to do regular maintenance on them to keep them looking good
How to Get the Most Out of Wooden Gates
The good news is that while there are both pros and cons to gates made from wood, there are plenty of ways to work around the problems.
If you want to have a wooden gate for any entrance on your property, there are a few things you can do to ensure you get the best possible result.
First, choose a fence contractor who specializes in wood fence and who has skilled carpenters on their team. Designing and manufacturing a wooden gate can be more complicated than building a wood fence, and you want to have skilled people taking care of it!
If you are buying the materials for the gate, choose the best possible quality, particularly when it comes to gate hinges and hardware. Because wood gates are heavy, you need to have hardware that is strong enough to keep your gate hanging straight for the long haul.
Pay close attention to the posts your gate will be hung on. You want to have gate posts that are strong enough to hold the weight of the gate when it’s closed and when it’s open or in motion.
Finally, think carefully about using cheaper wood and then painting or staining it. You might save a little money upfront, but in the long run, it’ll cost you more time and money. Choosing cedar or treated wood products from the start can save you money over time.
