The Ultimate Guide to Understanding the Expense of Garden Gates

As a homeowner, you've probably considered sprucing up your garden with a beautiful, functional, and secure garden gate. Yet, garden gates can seem disproportionately expensive compared to other elements of your garden. In this detailed guide, we will delve into the reasons behind these costs and help you make an informed decision on the perfect garden gate for your home.
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- The Materials Behind the Expense
- Wood
- Metal
- Composite
- Design and Manufacturing
- Customisation and Personalisation
- Installation and Hardware
1. Introduction
Garden gates hold a certain allure by offering security, privacy, and aesthetic value to your home. It can be surprising and even slightly off-putting initially when you discover that the price of a quality garden gate can be quite significant. This guide will help you understand the factors contributing to these costs and offer insights into the difference you'll experience between a high-quality garden gate and more budget-friendly alternatives.
2. The Materials Behind the Expense
There are three primary types of garden gate materials, each with its own benefits and drawbacks, contributing to the overall cost of your gate.
Wood
As a popular choice for garden gates, wood offers a traditional and warm appeal to your garden. It comes in a range of species, with the most common in the UK being:
- Softwoods: Pine, cedar, spruce, and larch
- Hardwoods: Oak, teak, and iroko
While softwoods are typically more affordable, hardwood gates are more expensive due to their durability and resistance to weather conditions. A more robust wood also requires less maintenance.
Metal
Metal garden gates provide a sleek and contemporary style, as well as added security. Common materials include wrought iron, aluminium, and steel. Each metal varies in price, strength, and resistance to corrosion, with wrought iron being the most expensive and high-end choice.
Composite
For those seeking a sustainable and low-maintenance option, composite gates made from wood-plastic blends or fibreglass may be the way to go. However, these materials tend to come at a higher price point than pure wood or metal options.
3. Design and Manufacturing
The design of a garden gate can greatly influence its overall cost. Handcrafted bespoke designs involving intricate patterns or delicate craftsmanship will command premium prices. Equally, a gate manufactured by a well-established brand known for superior quality and reliable products will generally cost more than a generic mass-produced option.
4. Customisation and Personalisation
Aside from the base design, you may want to personalise your gate with additional features, such as a unique crest, paint finish or lettering. These bespoke services can greatly amplify the price of your garden gate.
5. Installation and Hardware
Although many homeowners choose to tackle garden gate installation as a DIY project, hiring an expert to complete the task affords you the peace of mind that the gate is properly secured and aligned. This professional service does come at a cost, in addition to the specific hardware (hinges, locks, latches) required for the installation.