Fence Gates, some useful tips

Fence gates are available in the same material as fence panels. If using rough sawed wood for fencing, the matching fence gates will not be great. It is usually a better idea to get something stronger. Fence gates warp easily which means they bend and then don't open and close properly. If they do warp, they will probably not lock properly either. Virtually all fence gates made from rough sawed wood will move, usually by sagging due to moisture. Even if they don't warp, fence gates will eventually sag which means they can drag along the ground and become hard to open.

It is advisable to spend a little extra and get something like tongue and groove wood gates. These are made from planed wood strips which slot together. They are excellent, for wider gates ensure the gates are made to a high specification with a stronger frame to prevent sagging. If privacy isn't an issue, there are reasonably priced wrought iron gates available which will always outlive wood.

If you need something strong but want to keep the look of the fence, ask for your fence gates to be made with a metal frame. A basic frame can be made to your exact size, and the wood to match the fencing can then be bolted on. This will cost more as it will need a fencing contractor to work with an ironmonger.

Its worth paying a little extra for fence gates so that they last a long time. There is no point getting a cheap gate if it will only last a few years. Gates at the side of your house will get heavy use so a high quality tongue and groove gate is a sound investment. Tongue and groove wood will need painting every 3-5 years so that they don't rot. If this is done there is no reason why they shouldn't last 20 years.

All types of fencing have matching gates, for chain link and mesh fencing like paladin, the gates are usually a high standard. But it is always worth asking your fencing contractor about how durable the gates are, and if they recommend upgrading to something stronger. Cheap fencing is fine around a garden but gates that are used regularly need to be strong and sturdy.

Wood fence gates usually don't suit locks like on house doors. Wood will always move and expand slightly, so a sliding lock is better as there is more space for the gate to move. Gates will drop slightly over time so a sliding lock is a better option, they are also easier to adjust too. If not using tongue and groove wood, ensure that the gate is pressure treated to protect the wood from rotting and changing shape too much. Many gates come with a Z frame on the back, it is worth paying a little extra to upgrade to a fully framed gate.