Much like the front door to your house, the gate to your front or backyard should also be warm and welcoming so guests feel comfortable coming in. A wooden gate is perhaps not the most durable but the most desirable item for most of front yards, though it has a number of advantages and disadvantages, too. Let’s consider them all before you take a decision.
Good Things About Wooden Garden Gates
Wooden gates are very versatile: hey come in any shape and size and can be styled in various ways, besides, you can paint them any color easily. The lovely thing about wood is that its grain will naturally change over time, creating some beautiful patterns. If you keep the gate up for many years, you will be awarded a naturally changing gate that gains even more character over time. You may get full privacy with wooden gates if you need it or stick to a more sheer option. A wooden gate can be applied to almost any garden style, though the most popular one is a cottage or rustic garden.
Compared to other materials, wooden gates are cheaper and still good quality. They are easy to put up, and you might be able to do it yourself, saving even more money.
These gates can take a lot of damage in the short term. While harsh weather can damage them over time, you can prevent this with proper treatments.
Wooden gates offer a natural look, more than other options. They look great with an arbor over them and lots of greenery and flowers. No arbor? Plant some flowers along the fence and around the gate, or add climbing vines on the fence for a beautiful garden look!
If the wood gets damaged, fixing it costs less than fixing a metal or plastic gate.
Wooden gates can be customized easily. They can fit any garden’s style. You can carve them, add decorative elements, or even combine wood with other materials for a unique look.
A beautiful white fence, a curved gate with a matching arbor and some greenery here and there to refresh it and give it a manicured look.
A bit of bold red vines over the gate give a classic and chic feel to the entrance and make the front yard feel traditional.
A classic white fence and a small curved gate are a cool idea if you love classics and even vintage and want that feel for your space.
A classic white fence with a gate and arbor are accented with bold fuchsia blooming vines bring color to the front yard of the house.
A colorful fence, a bold blue gate and arbor fully covered with fuchsia climbers look vibrant, lively and cool and bring interest to the entrance.
A gate arbor done with bold red blooming vines looks absolutely fabulous and brings color and a vivacious feel to the garden.
A gorgeous white picket fence with an arbor over the gate, covered with pink roses, look gorgeous and welcome in.
A green fence and gate plus an arbor and colorful vines climbing up create a lovely modern cottage feel.
A greenery fence and extra bold pink flowers covering the arbor make up a fantastic combo for a dreamy cottage entrance and garden.
A greenery fence looks manicured and lush pink blooms climbing up the arbor add color and chic to the garden.
A grey trellis plus a creative sage gate that resembles a door, with lush blush flourishing vines that add a romantic touch to the garden and make it less manicured and polished.
A living fence and arbor completely covered with greenery and a rich-stained gate for a contrast and to show where the entrance is.
A living greenery fence paired with a simple slate gate and an arbor done with the same vines for a unique, catchy and bold entrance.
A pale blue gate with an arbor and green vines covering it for a fresh touch without getting a too cottage look.
A rustic fence and a gate with a round arch over it are completely covered with lush greenery that composes a real vertical garden.
A rustic stained fence paired with a matching gate, with lush blooming climbers on the fence and garden arch are great for a rustic space.
A rustic weathered wood fence and arbor are accented with blooming yellow vines that bring in some color and make the entrance spectacular.
A shabby wood fence and gate with white hydrangeas and greenery around and over the gate create a secrete garden feel that we all love so much.
A simple fence and a gate with an arbor can be left uncovered if you don't need much privacy and color.
A simple neutral fence and cottage gate plus an arbor done with bold burgundy blooms and greenery for a contrasting touch.
A simple white fence plus a matching gate are always a good idea for a cottage garden, surround them with greenery.
A small and cute garden gate accented with a basket with bright blooms and matching flowers along the path.
A solid white fence, a picket gate covered with lush blush blooms look dreamy, chic and vivacious, this subtle touch of color will make the entrance more welcoming.
A stained wood fence with a gate and an arbor, with bold purplb vines to add color and interest to the entrance.
Bad Things About Wooden Garden Gates
Wood isn’t the strongest material, especially outside. If it dries out, it might fade, crack, and warp. If it decomposes, it can get fungus and dry rot.
Wood needs more care than other materials. Harsh weather can cause damage. But remember, all these problems can be fixed with the right treatments.
Wooden gates can be affected by pests like termites. You need to treat the wood to protect it from bugs.
These gates might need to be repainted or stained every few years to keep them looking good and to protect them from the weather.
A stylish black fence and gate refreshed with white hydrangeas that contrast the fence and create a Scandi feel.
A tall wall trellis, a green gate and a red arbor plus greenery, red and white blooms make up a lovely and bold entrance with a classic color combo.
A vintage white garden gate with an arbor over it, with lush blooms on the arbor and along the path already create a garden.
A weathered facade and rough red brick are instantly softenred with lush pink climbers on the fence and arbor.
A weathered wood fence with an arbor covered with wisteria is classics, this charming vine is perfect for a cottage, vintage or secret garden.
A weathered wood fence, gate and arbor, covered with lush greenery and pink blooms are perfect for a shabby chic or vintage-inspired garden.
A weathered wood trellis covered with white blooms and greenery, a simple matching gate and lush flowers climbing up the facade of the house.
A white curved fence and a gate with an arbor covered with lush greenery is a non-typical idea without that cottage feel, with a more modern look.
A white gate and arbor surrounded with super lush blue hydrangeas are a beautiful solution for a cottage garden.
A white gate with a large arbor over it, with greenery and white blooming vines covering the arbor is adorable.
A white picket fence with a gate and an arbor over it, with some purple blooms for a touch of color, surround your fence with vibrant flowers.
A wood fence, a red gate and a white arbor plus greenery covering it, bold red and white blooms lining up the stone garden path.
Bold pink blooms and greenery covering the fence and arbor look ultimate, bold and catchy, they instantly steal the show.
Extra bold fuchsia blooms covering the gate will bring a lot of color to the garden, and will make the space feel like summer.
Green over the gate for a fresh feel and lush blue hydrangeas along the fence bring more privacy to the garden.
Greenery at and over the gate make the entrance feel natural, and a bit secret garden-like, even though there are no blooms.
If you don't have an arbor over the gate, you can surround the fence with blooms you like, and it will look no less dreamy.
Lush green and white flourishing vines completely covering the fence give it a very chic, fresh and unusual look, and a curved gate finishes it off.
Lush greenery over the fate and fence will refresh it visually, and will add a cozy but quite modern feel to the space.
Opulent pink vines covering the fence and arbor add a fresh feel and create an idyllic look in the space.
Pink, blush and white blooming vines over the gate are amazing to make the entrance feel cottage-like, it's a bit messy and hot pink blooms at the gate feel as if it's a garden already.
Refresh your gate with lush greenery or white blooms, such a fresh look is perfect for a cottage garden and entrance.
Vibrant pink vines covering the arbor bring a cozy cottage feel to the space and make it look vibrant, cool and catchy.
You won't need to cover the fence and gate with greenery if you have a lot of lush greenery along them and outside.
Wooden Garden Gate Types
Wooden garden gates come in various kinds, each with unique characteristics and suitable for different garden styles. Here are some common types:
- Traditional ones. They have simple designs and natural wood finishes. They are versatile and can complement many garden styles, including cottage, country, and colonial gardens. These gates typically have vertical or horizontal slats and may include decorative elements like finials or post caps.
- Modern wooden gates feature clean lines and minimalist designs. They are often made with horizontal slats and can be painted in bold, contemporary colors or left in a sleek natural finish.
- Arched gates have a curved top, adding an elegant and sophisticated touch.
- Double gates consist of two panels that swing open, creating a wider entrance. These are ideal for driveways or areas where larger openings are needed.
- Sliding gates are mounted on tracks and slide horizontally to open. They are space-saving and ideal for driveways or areas with limited space for gate swings.
Maintenance Tips
To keep your wooden gate looking good and lasting long, clean, seal, and repaint or restain it regularly. Follow a seasonal maintenance routine to protect it from weather damage.
A wooden gate looks nice in any type of garden and is a good investment for your home. It can even make your house worth more if you decide to sell it.