Garden Gates
A side gate is the part of your fence that works hardest. Get quotes for gates that are made to fit, hung properly and easy to lock.
Garden gates are opened and closed every day, pushed by the wind and leaned on by children and dogs. Unlike a fence panel, a gate has to stay square and swing freely for years, which is why the posts, hinges and bracing matter far more than the style of the boards.
Most fencing contractors make or supply gates to match the fence, so it is usually worth including a gate in the same quote as new fencing – the posts can be set at the right width and the whole boundary will look consistent.
Types of garden gate
Timber gates are typically framed and ledged, braced with a diagonal member that should run up from the hinge side to stop the gate from sagging. Metal gates are lighter to hang and need little maintenance apart from repainting, though they give less privacy.
- Side gates – usually 1.8m high for security, closing off the passage beside the house
- Matching fence gates – feather edge, tongue-and-groove or slatted to suit the fence
- Picket and low front gates – for front gardens and cottage-style boundaries
- Metal gates – wrought iron or steel, often painted black
- Double gates – for wide access, such as getting a mower or wheelbarrow through
Posts, hinges and security
A gate is only as good as the post it hangs on. Contractors typically use heavier posts for gates – often 125mm or 150mm square timber – set deeper than fence posts. Heavy-duty hinges, a strong latch and a lockable bolt make the gate secure. For side gates, a lock that can only be opened from the garden side is a sensible deterrent.
Typical garden gate costs
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Standard timber side gate, supplied and fitted | £300–£650 |
| Made-to-measure timber gate | £500–£1,000 |
| Metal garden gate, supplied and fitted | £350–£900 |
| New gate posts (pair) | £150–£350 |
Indicative UK prices including hinges and latch. Locks, automatic closers and non-standard sizes add to the cost.
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Garden gates: common questions
Why does my garden gate keep dropping?
Usually because the hinge post is moving, the hinges are too light, or the diagonal brace is fitted the wrong way. A contractor can rehang the gate, reset the post or fit a new frame.
How wide should a side gate be?
Around 900mm is common for pedestrian access. If you need to get a wheelie bin, mower or wheelbarrow through comfortably, consider 1m or wider.
Should a gate open into the garden or outwards?
Most gates open into the garden so they do not swing across a path or public footway. Where there is a slope, the direction may be chosen to clear the ground.
Do I need planning permission for a new gate?
Usually not, as long as it is no more than 1 metre high next to a road used by vehicles, or 2 metres elsewhere. Listed buildings and some conservation areas have extra rules.
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