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Whether it’s your front or back garden, driveway or garden shed, modern gates and fences are ideal for sprucing up and protecting your property.

But with so many different types of gates out there, where do you even start?

To lend a hand, we’re going to go over the most common gate types and popular styles. And to sweeten the deal, we’ll also suggest how you can make your gate stand out.

Read on to find out more.

Table of contents:

What types of gates are there?

The most common types of gates are garden, side, driveway and estate. That being said, there are other types, such as baby gates, pet gates, pool gates, Hampshire gates and so on.

You might be wondering:

What is the most common gate material?

Wood (both hardwood and softwood) and iron are the most common construction materials for gates. However, aluminium, PVC, and vinyl are also used.

Let’s take a closer look at the four main types of gates and highlight some design ideas.

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Garden gate ideas

A garden gate is often an entry point to your private domain. As such, it makes a huge impression on visitors and passers-by and plays a paramount role in security. In terms of material, garden gates usually come in multiple designs in your choice of either wood or metal.

The question is:

How do you choose between the two?

To a large extent, it depends on your fence. If your fencing is wooden, it makes sense to go with one of the wooden gate styles. Unfinished wooden gates allow you to apply the colour and finish of your choice to create the desired effect.

Fancy a soothing garden mood? Then opt for a cool shade of blue! Or perhaps you’d rather brighten things up a bit? Then white is a great choice.

What’s more, wooden garden gates are relatively straightforward to hang. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to hang a garden gate for further details.

In contrast, if your fence is metal, you might want to choose a metal gate. Decorative metal gates are a great way of adding a flamboyant touch to your property through a quirky art design and a bold colour.

But if security is a major concern, it’s a good idea to go with a more solid, traditional fence and gate metal design.

Some popular garden gate styles include:

  • Lattice
  • Board-on-board
  • Shadowbox
  • Privacy
  • Spaced picket
  • Spaced bar
  • Split rail

Moving on:

Side gate ideas

Side gates take their name from the location of the home where they’re typically used. Unlike garden gates, which can be either single or double, side gates tend to be single panel. They’re also generally higher, around 6ft.

Why is that?

The main reason is that side gates are usually installed in gate openings that require higher security, such as alleys, passages or side access points that face away from the main entrance of your property. Other than that, they’re not much different from garden gates and come in your choice of material (usually wood or metal).

While there are different side gate designs you can choose from, spear-top (for metal ones) and privacy (for wooden ones) are among the most popular options.

Up next:

Types of gates for driveways

Like a garden gate, a driveway gate makes a crucial first impression and helps boost security. They come in a variety of materials, including wood, iron, aluminium and PVC. These types of gates for homes are usually at least 7ft wide and come in several styles.

Here’s the deal:

Swing gates

As their name suggests, swing gates swing open, usually into the driveway itself. It’s also possible to find one that opens outward, but you must make sure it won’t block the road or pavement ahead.

Even though single-swing gates are available, double-swing driveway gates are more common. Automated options are also readily available should you need one.

Sliding gates

Sliding gates slide across the driveway on a track installed behind the fence. They’re usually automatic and are an ideal solution when space is limited, and swing gates aren’t a viable option. In contrast to swing gates, sliding gates tend to be single.

Cantilever gates

Cantilever gates function similarly to sliding gates but with one crucial difference – they don’t require a track. Instead, they’re free-floating and use a counterbalance.

On the plus side, these types of gates can be much longer than standard sliding gates and can be automated. On the downside, they can be prohibitively expensive as well as somewhat unstable when it’s windy.

Whether you go with a swing, sliding or cantilever driveway gate will ultimately depend on the size and location of your driveway and your budget, among other things.

Types of estate gates

The final gate types we’re going to examine, estate gates, are tall double gates that serve as the main entrance to your property. They can be either wooden or metal. While they have many similarities with certain types of garden gates and swing driveway gates, they’re usually larger and more imposing.

So, it should come as no surprise that they also tend to be considerably more expensive.

Different types of gates

However, an estate gate can be a shrewd investment, as it guarantees extra security and peace of mind. And in case you choose a wooden option, you’ll also get extra privacy, as it will block the view from the street. Just keep in mind that, as with all types of wooden gates, you should brace your wooden estate gate to prevent it from sagging.

Final thoughts

And there you have it – the four most common types of gates. Modern and traditional gates all have their uses, from providing extra security and privacy to regulating ease of access to adding to the overall ambience of your estate, driveway or garden.

What’s more, they come in a variety of materials, styles and designs, making them ideal for creative as well as practical solutions.

So, why not buck up your fence and gate ideas and give your property the makeover it deserves? Check out our Complete garden gate buyer’s guide for more tips!

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