Timber driveway gates hung between brick piers

Serving York & surrounding areas

Garden Gates & Side Gates in York

A gate gets used every day, so it has to be strong, hang straight and lock properly. We supply and fit timber gates that do all three — and match your fencing and paving.

Get a free quote 01904 922494

Gates we supply and fit

Side gates — tall, secure gates for the passage beside your house, usually closeboard-style for privacy, with a lockable bolt or latch on the garden side.
Front garden gates — lower gates in picket, framed or solid styles that suit the house and any front wall or fence.
Driveway gates — wider single or double timber gates for vehicle access, sized to the opening and hung on heavy posts.
Field-style gates — five-bar and similar gates for larger plots, paddocks and rural boundaries.
Contemporary slatted gates — horizontal slatted gates to match slatted fencing.

Why gates sag, and how we stop it

Most gate problems come from the posts or the frame, not the gate itself. A post that is too light, not set deep enough or not fixed securely to a wall will lean under the weight of the gate, and the gate drops until it scrapes the ground or will not latch. Gates without a diagonal brace, or with the brace fitted the wrong way, twist out of shape.

We size posts to the weight and width of the gate, set them in concrete at a suitable depth or fix them securely to masonry, and use a braced frame with the brace running up from the hinge side. Hinges, latches and bolts are chosen for the size of the gate, so it opens and closes cleanly for years.

Security for side gates

A side gate is often the main way into a back garden, so it is worth getting right. We recommend a gate at full fence height, with no horizontal rails on the outside that could be used as a foothold, a lockable bolt on the inside and hinges fixed so they cannot simply be unscrewed from the outside. If you would like a lock that can be opened from both sides, we can fit one.

Gates that match your paving and boundaries

Because we install driveways, paths, fencing and garden walls, we can plan a gate as part of the whole frontage. That might mean building brick piers to hang a front gate, setting the gate height to line up with a new fence, or making sure a path meets the gate at the right level so it does not catch on the paving.

Measuring and fitting

Every opening is slightly different, so we measure on site rather than relying on a standard size. Where the ground slopes across the opening, we allow clearance so the gate can swing freely, or suggest it opens the other way. Once fitted, we check the swing, latch and lock, and show you how to adjust anything if the timber moves with the seasons.

Related services

This is part of our fencing & gates service in York. We often combine it with patios, driveways and fencing so everything matches.

Cottage garden with stone wall and timber gate

Brick steps leading to a timber garden gate

Images are illustrative examples.

Garden & Side Gates FAQs

Can you fit a gate to my existing fence or wall?

Yes. We can add a new post to an existing fence line or fix a post securely to brickwork, then hang the gate to it.

My gate has dropped. Can it be fixed?

Often, yes. Depending on the cause we can reset or replace the post, add or correct the brace, or fit stronger hinges. If the gate itself is rotten, a replacement may be better value.

How tall can a side gate be?

Gates, like fences and walls, can generally be up to 2 metres high without planning permission, or 1 metre next to a highway used by vehicles. Listed buildings and some conservation areas can differ.

Do you fit metal or electric gates?

We specialise in timber gates. If you need metal or automated gates, we can plan the posts, piers and paving around them.

Should a gate open inwards or outwards?

Most garden gates open into the property so they do not swing over the pavement. Driveway gates must not open over the highway.