Farm Gate Choices

Farm gates are not only great for paddocks and fields but can be a great option for driveways, especially if you are living in a rural setting. When it comes to farm gates you have a few standard choices, you can go for a galvanised metal option, a traditional five bar timber gate or a more decorative timber gate. Farm gates don't cost a great deal, and are renowned for durability so you get good value for your money. Here is a brief run down of what you can get:

Galvanised metal farm gates are generally tubular steel in construction. The gate is lightweight yet durable thanks to the zinc galvanised coating. Usually made in a seven bar pattern for ultimate strength you can usually get two types, a box end and a flat plate end. These terms refer to the style of hanging frame the gate has. Some are constructed with a box RHS section for fittment of eyebolts, others are a plate section. Most steel farm gates are constructed with latches built in so you generally only need to purchase timber or steel posts and fittings for the posts. Steel field gates come in a variety of lengths generally through from 4ft to 12ft giving a wide range of access solutions.

Five bar timber field gates are generally constructed from tanalised timber to give a long sturdy lifespan. Unlike steel field gates you need to carefully consider the fittings you may want with these gates as gate leafs are generally sold without fittings. The gates are typically constructed with five horizontal cross rails which are then diamond clad for rigidity. As with metal farm gates, these gates come in a range of sizes from 3ft through to 12ft rising in single increments. These gates are highly versatile in as much as you can fit a 3ft along with a 12ft to give a useful pedestrian or vehicle access solution, that is actually quite pleasing to the eye.

The rolls royce of field gates are the decorative “estate” gates. As you can see they come with an extra decorative flourish to the timber frame construction whilst maintaining inherent strength with various bracings. Usually you can find these gates available in hardwood or softwood tanalised. The hardwood options are not light on the wallet, but being constructed from iroko hardwood certainly gives them huge durability. As with traditional five bar gates, these gates can be bought in sizes ranging from 3ft through to 12ft and fitting a 3ft and 12ft in a matching set can create an appealing driveway gate affect whether you are living in town or country.