Garden gates supplied and installed

Timber gates can sit naturally beside close board, feather edge or panel fencing. Think about privacy as well as appearance: a solid gate screens a side passage, while an open design gives a view through. The most useful choice is the one that fits the boundary and the way you enter the garden, not simply the style that looks best in a photograph.

Allow room for bins, bicycles and gardening equipment. A gate that feels wide enough when empty may be awkward when carrying bulky items. The clear opening is different from the overall gate size, because posts and fittings occupy space. We check the usable gap and discuss how the gate will swing before agreeing the specification.

A good gate depends on stable supports. If an existing timber post has softened near ground level, hanging a new leaf from it leaves the original weakness in place. Leaning supports can also make the latch miss even when the gate itself is sound. The free visit is a chance to separate a fitting problem from a post or boundary problem.

The bottom clearance needs to follow the ground through the whole swing. A passage may rise towards the garden or have paving that has moved since the old gate was fitted. Positioning hinges without checking that route can leave the gate dragging. Where paving also needs attention, the gate and surrounding surface should be planned as one opening.

For a garden gate used every day, closing and latching reliably matters as much as the finish. Consider who needs to open it, whether a lock must be reached from both sides and how visitors enter. A side entrance should not leave a projecting latch or a swinging leaf blocking a narrow path.

The best garden gates for security depend on the whole boundary. A solid leaf does little if the supporting fence is loose or the latch is poorly positioned. We discuss the gate, posts and adjoining fence together. No gate should be treated as a guarantee against intrusion; choose appropriate fittings and keep the entrance in good working order.

Before replacing everything, look at where the movement comes from. Loose hinges, a distorted frame, a failing post and a lifted path produce different symptoms. Our gate-dropping guide helps you recognise those differences. A latch adjustment alone will not solve a support that continues to lean.

For a replacement installation, explain what happens when you open and close the old gate. Photographs of the hinges, latch, posts and ground can help describe the issue, but measurements and the condition of the supports still need checking on site. The written quote sets out the agreed replacement rather than assuming every part must be changed.

The site also compares metal and timber gates. If you are considering metal side gates, aluminium or composite, use that comparison to prepare questions about weight, maintenance and compatibility with the fence. The material and suitable fittings need agreeing before installation; we do not list a universal price for every gate type.

Garden gate installation cost depends on the opening, design, posts, fittings and removal of the existing gate. A price for a leaf bought separately does not describe a fitted entrance. Ask for the specification in the quote so you can compare like with like. Electric and iron gate prices are not published here, and should not be assumed to describe our timber side-gate service.