A garden gate is more than just a functional entry point; it is the handshake of your home. It sets the tone for your property while performing a vital job: keeping your garden secure.
At Joe's Fencing, we find that gates are often an afterthought during a garden renovation, yet they are the moving part you will interact with every single day. A cheap, poorly hung gate that drags along the floor is a daily annoyance. A solid, well-fitted timber gate is a pleasure to use.
Whether you need to secure a side alley in Southville or finish off a driveway in Stoke Bishop, here is our guide to choosing the right timber gate for your needs.
1. Define the Purpose: Security vs. Style
The first step is to decide what the gate is for. Generally, gates fall into two categories:
Side & Rear Gates (Security)
If the gate leads to your back garden, security is the priority. You want a tall, solid barrier that prevents anyone from seeing in or climbing over.
- Recommended Style: Closeboard or Tongue & Groove. These offer zero visibility from the street.
- Height: Standard height is 6ft (1.8m) to match your fencing, preventing casual intrusion.
Front Garden Gates (Aesthetics)
For a front path, you rarely want a fortress. You want something that welcomes visitors and keeps the postman happy, while keeping dogs or children safely away from the road.
- Recommended Style: Picket (Palisade) gates. These allow light through and look fantastic with Victorian or 1930s properties.
- Height: Usually 3ft or 4ft, matching a low boundary wall or hedge.
2. Construction Quality: Z-Brace vs. FLB
This is the technical part that matters most for longevity. When shopping for timber gates, you will hear two main terms:
Basic "Z-Brace" Gates
These are the cheaper options often found in DIY stores. They consist of vertical boards nailed to a simple "Z" shape frame on the back. Verdict: Fine for a lightweight cottage gate, but they are prone to sagging over time as the timber moves.
Framed, Ledged, and Braced (FLB)
This is the gold standard for side and driveway gates. The gate has a full mortise-and-tenon outer frame (the "Frame"), horizontal bars (the "Ledges"), and diagonal supports (the "Braces"). Verdict: Essential for any gate over 3ft wide. The full frame prevents twisting and warping, meaning your gate will still close perfectly in five years' time.
3. Hardware: The Heavy Metal
A heavy timber gate needs heavy-duty ironmongery. Using small hinges on a heavy solid wood gate is a recipe for disaster.
- Hinges: We use long T-Hinges (ideally 18-inch for a standard gate) to distribute the weight across the gate surface. For heavy driveway gates, we use adjustable hook-and-band hinges, which allow us to tweak the alignment if the gate settles.
- Locks & Latches: For side gates, a simple padbolt is often not enough. We recommend a long-throw gate lock. These allow you to open the gate with a key from both sides (useful if you want to use the side door as a main entrance) and are far more secure than a padlock.
- Drop Bolts: Essential for double driveway gates to anchor them into the ground when closed.
4. Wood Choice and Treatment
Just like fencing, gates face the brunt of the Bristol weather.
- Pressure Treated Softwood: This is the most common choice. It is affordable, resistant to rot, and matches standard featheredge fencing.
- Hardwood (e.g., Iroko or Oak): If you want a "furniture quality" finish for a driveway, hardwood is stunning. It is significantly more expensive and requires oiling to maintain its colour, but it is incredibly durable.
Pro Tip: Always treat the "end grain" (the bottom of the vertical boards). This is where water is wicked up from the pavement. A dab of sealant here can double the life of your gate.
5. The Importance of the Gate Post
You cannot hang a heavy gate on a weak post. The "slamming" force of a gate puts huge stress on the timber.
We always recommend installing a dedicated gate post (usually 100mm x 100mm or larger) that is concreted at least 2ft into the ground. Never try to hang a new gate off an old, rotting wall plate or a thin fence post—it will pull the fence down with it.
Ready for an Upgrade?
Whether you need a custom-width gate for an awkward side alley or a grand pair of entrance gates for your driveway, we can build and install them to fit perfectly.
Forget trying to make a standard size gate fit a non-standard gap. Let us create a secure, bespoke solution for your home.
Featured Image Image [A high-quality close-up of a sturdy, wooden "Framed Ledged and Braced" side gate with a black iron latch and key lock, set against a red brick Bristol house] Image Alt Text [Secure wooden side gate installation in Bristol] Tags Select Tags Garden Gates Security Home Improvement Bristol Fencing Custom Joinery SEO Settings Meta Title How to Choose the Best Timber Gate | Joe's Bristol Meta Description Looking for a new garden gate? We compare styles, construction (FLB vs Z-Brace), and security options to help you choose the best gate for your Bristol home.