Ahh, the humble gate. In our opinion, a practical yet versatile invention with a range of applications – one of which is for use on your driveway. A driveway gate is a great investment for your property, one that can really elevate it to the next level.

Believe it or not, there is actually a wide range of choice when it comes to deciding on which type of gate to get. Read on below as we discuss the various gate designs available that may take your fancy, along with the different types of gate operation, so you can weigh up which is most suited to your needs.

Why Invest in a Gate for Your Driveway?

If you’re still on the fence on whether or not to invest in a driveway gate, we say go for it! The benefits certainly outweigh the neutrality of not getting one, in our opinion.

Firstly, gating your driveway offers your property better security, deterring any potential burglars from attempting to even step foot onto your land let alone risk trying to break into your property. Not only does this give you and your family peace of mind, but it even has the potential to lower your insurance premium!

This also has the potential to increase the resale value of your home, as well as improve its kerbside appeal. A well-designed gate will improve the aesthetic of your driveway, which can attract potential buyers should you ever wish to sell in the future, whilst you will benefit from its appearance and practicality in the meantime.

From Field Gates to Gloucester Gates: Different Gate Designs

Despite what you may think, there are actually various recognised gate designs that you can choose from – though there are some discrepancies between the names depending on your supplier/manufacturer. We’ve listed some of the most common below.

Field Gate

A field gate is the type of gate traditionally used for… well, the clue’s in the name – fields. However, they can also be used on driveways.

This is the type of gate you are likely the most familiar with; they are also known as five-bar gates, since they consist of five horizontal timber bars, which are then reinforced by four diagonal bars – two of which are used on one side to create a ‘V’ shape and two on the other to create an upside down ‘V’ shape.

Though these aren’t as secure as some of the other types of gates that we’ll go on to discuss, they still offer some security and can be useful for keeping any young children or pets from getting out onto the road. On top of that, they have a quintessential appearance that just screams ‘country’!

St Edmundsbury Gate

St Edmundsbury gates make for a particularly attractive and welcoming gate design. They have a distinct curved top that scoops in the middle, usually with solid timbers boards at the base panel and open spindles on the top panel.

Having this slightly open top panel means that there is slightly less privacy compared to some other gate types, though this is ideal for those looking to secure their property without completely blocking it from the outside world.

Suffolk Gate

Suffolk gates are a type of estate gate, meaning they are at least 6ft tall, offering a much larger physical barrier to protect your property and making them some of the most secure gate types to opt for. There are various designs of estate gates, with Suffolk gates being distinguishable by their slightly concave top bar.

They also tend to have interlocking diagonal tongue and groove boards for strength and design.

Norfolk Gate

Another type of estate gate is the Norfolk gate. Though similar to the Suffolk gate, this type of gate design differs in that it has a flat top and the interlocking tongue and groove boards are consistently vertical, rather than in a diagonal design.

Their simple design makes Norfolk gates a popular, unassuming choice of gate design with many, whilst being one of the more affordable options.

Raised Helve Gate

A specific design of field gate, raised helve gates are ideal if you’re after a more traditional yet slightly quirky design. They are also great if you live in the countryside, being a design that really complements the surrounding landscape rather than distracting from it.

Raised helve gates are distinguished by their tapered top bar and extended diagonal brace that reinforces the gate, alongside traditional stop dowel mortise and tenon joints.

Gloucester Gate

Another relatively simple gate design is the Gloucester gate. Gloucester gates feature vertical tongue and groove boards and traditional mortise and tenon joints, though their design is amplified thanks to the feature head with open spindles.

They’re almost like a crossover between a Norfolk and a St Edmundsbury Gate. These gates look especially effective with smaller driveways in more built-up residential areas.

What Type of Gate Should You Opt for?

Once you’ve decided which gate design is the one for you, you next need to think about which type of gate will best suit your needs. We’ve split some of the various gate types into three different pairs to offer our insight.

Manual vs Automatic

Before buying a driveway gate, you should consider the reasons why you’re getting it and if its functions will hinder or facilitate your daily activities.

For example, if you work from home the majority of the time or there is someone present at your property for most of the day, then a manual gate shouldn’t be too much of a hindrance and can even be left open when someone is at home to allow easy access to and from the driveway for any family members who drive.

However, if you and your family tend to be out for most of the day or are always in and out of your home, then it can be an inconvenience to have to get in and out of your car just to open and close the gate. In which case, an automatic gate may be better suited.

Although, automatic gates do have the downside of being more expensive than their manual counterparts (as is their maintenance), which is also worth factoring into your decision.

Swing vs Sliding

If you did end up opting for an automatic gate, then you’d also have to choose between a swing gate and a sliding gate. Sliding gates may be better if you have a lack of space, since you need to allow enough room with swing gates in comparison to ensure that they don’t hit your vehicle when opened.

On the other hand, sliding gates take longer to open, require more maintenance and can be less visually appealing – not being workable with the traditional, attractive timber gates we mentioned earlier in this guide.

Single vs Double

With many gates, you have the option to have them as a single gate that hinges on one particular side or as double gates that open in the middle. Which you end up deciding on for your property is down to personal preference and the available space.

Single gates only need half the hardware (hinges, bolts, hinge posts) that a double gate needs, which could save you money, although a heavier duty post would be required in order to support the weight of the full gate. You also need to take into consideration that they require more swing space to fully open, which may have practical issues depending on how close your vehicles are parked to your gate or if there are any other obstructions that would be in the way.

In comparison, a double gate requires half the swing room since the gate splits in the middle and opens at both sides. Double gates can also accommodate wider driveway openings than a single can, making them more versatile depending on the spatial limitations of your driveway. Like many, you may also prefer the more elegant aesthetic that these offer.

Bespoke Gates from Hales Sawmills

So, are you ready to go ahead and invest in a gate for your driveway? If so, then look to us here at Hales Sawmills to find the quality gate to suit your needs.

Whether you’re looking to keep it simple with a traditional field gate or something more secure such as a Norfolk gate, we’ve got you covered with our range of tongue and groove driveway gates. All of our driveway gates are manufactured to fit your bespoke requirements, so you can expect a tailored finish that looks perfect in your driveway.

Do you have an open border that would make a driveway gate redundant? Create a secure perimeter around your driveway with the use of some decorative panels from our extensive range – perfect for giving you the privacy you require whilst enhancing your home’s appearance.

Alongside gates and decorative panels, we offer a wide range of additional timber products, including timber decking boards, fencing and noise stop barriers.

For more information on our products or to discuss your requirements regarding the bespoke gate solutions we can offer you, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.