How Thick Should a Hardwood Gate be

2024-04-09

Here at Garden Gates Direct, we often talk about the advantages of wooden garden gates, from increasing the value of your home to providing high levels of security and privacy. There are also many different styles and designs to consider, not to mention certain hardwood species and standard sizes. That said, one question that will often spring to mind, especially when browsing our complete collection of hardwood gates for gardens and driveways, is: “how thick should my hardwood gate be?”

The majority of wooden gates that you can buy online are usually 45mm thick, however, you’ll also find many hardwood gates ranging from 70-100mm. These are more suited to automation and easily withstand the push and pull action of the motors.

Sturdiness and smooth operation: there’s a balance at play

While a gate with increased thickness, such as 95mm, will cope well with the additional forces exerted by automated mechanisms, there will also be no compromise on structural integrity or functionality. That said, it’s well worth considering the specific hardwood species used, as different woods may have varying strength and durability characteristics. Garden Gates Direct have made this process incredibly easy for our customers, with categories of products for every type of purpose, from driveways to garden gates and estate gates. Our hardwood driveway gates are available in a choice of Idigbo, Iroko and Oak, yet each pair of gates has a thickness that is just right for the task at hand, while we also can supply the majority of our products in made-to-measure sizes.

What happens if I choose a gate that’s too thick?

Increased weight can be problematic as your gate may be putting too much stress on hinges and posts, while you may need to look for a customised automation solution rather than a standard kit, which will be more expensive. At the same time, the materials can cost more and so will the installation, but even if your gate is manually operated, it can be quite heavy and inconvenient. As you can see, there are lots of reasons why it’s important to get the thickness right, and with all of our hardwood gates, we’ve factored this in, choosing the right thickness for the material and operation at hand.

Is a bespoke gate design always best?

If you have a standard opening, it makes perfect sense to choose the right size if we have one available. We also have many different designs to consider, depending on the era, style and architectural features of your property – and, of course, your tastes! On the other hand, if you can’t find a design that fits your needs, or you’d like to mix and march various features from several designs to create something entirely unique, a bespoke design will be your best bet. In this case, the best starting point would be to send us an initial sketch or some images of examples you like, and we can start work by creating a design that matches your needs, measurements, and budget.

Our friendly team are always on hand to answer any questions, but you will also find lots of useful information on our website, such as our measuring guide. We’ve also covered many frequently asked questions here and case studies, if you’re looking for more inspiration. For anything else, or if you wish to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 0844 804 5577.