Tailored gates boost privacy and style for your home

Bespoke gates offer an incredibly accurate, functional and beautiful entrance/exit solution for homeowners in Dorset.

Do stock gates never fit your driveway, side access or garden properly? Is there a gap underneath the gate? Is it difficult to swing open and shut? Does it look unattractive and out of place with the rest of your property? If your answer is yes, then your home is permanently exposed, and the entrance appears unfinished. Not only does it not work as it should on a day-to-day basis, but it also fails to provide the privacy and aesthetic appeal you dreamed of from the start.

These issues only get worse over time. Hinges droop, gates scrape along the ground when uneven; they need to be sanded and repainted as they swell and twist in the coastal air. And where do you put your bins and gardening tools? It looks awful, exposed, with gardens peeking out and nothing securing them in. Homes with such unimpressive and insecure entrance systems are incredibly frustrating, and it shouldn’t be fair for homeowners to explain to visitors why their entrance doesn’t work instead of boasting about their perfectly curated property and feeling safely contained.

This guide hopes to dispel those negative connotations for good with bespoke gates that work with your home, not against it. Discover how bespoke wooden gates can drastically transform privacy, security and curb appeal across the Dorset region as Wooden Gate Makers Poole discuss all things measuring, cutting and intricately trained installations. For more information on various styles, finishes and alternatives, visit our Bespoke Wooden Gates service page to discover what made-to-measure gates can be fabricated for your property.

 

Why we love it: Because we love to marry precise joinery with local craftsmanship so that Dorset homes get entrances that function perfectly, look just right, and last.

What to consider: Consider the daily entrance/exit appeal from both driveways and side access, the desired aesthetic integration, and whether you need our expert measuring and fitting to be fully satisfied.

 

Gates tailored to your home 

These aren’t standard gates measured against someone else’s efforts and fitted wrongly,  bespoke gates are custom gates that complement your opening, lifestyle, and home’s requirements, rather than having your property fit a size found in a catalogue or someone else’s driveway. Wooden Gate Makers make each driveway gate, side gate, and garden gate to measure from our workshop in Poole, ensuring dimensions, clearances, and fixing points are tailored to your situation.

For many properties across Dorset, it means making accommodations for slopes, uneven ground, brick piers, tight parking, and even coastal elements. A bespoke option also means you can dictate height, style and privacy, from solid for busy roadways to semi-open for aesthetic framing of garden appeal. Gates can also match corresponding timber garage doors for a cohesive front presentation.

If you’d like to see the selection we offer all at once, visit our overview gates page to learn how we craft softwood and hardwood gates for driveways, gardens and side access.

Why would they be of value in Dorset 

In areas that are slightly more dense in Poole, Bournemouth and other places in Dorset, it’s not uncommon to walk down a street and look into someone else’s garden. Generic gates are more common than secure; bespoke gates are either solid, semi-solid, or open, rather than putting all privacy options on one side by going generic. Furthermore, as solid gates usually come in specific heights, a bespoke option can ensure they are within reach to avoid looking into patios, children playing outside, or ground-floor windows.

When it comes to crime prevention, this is another reason people move from panels to bespoke. A gate that fits the correct measurements is more difficult to lift and catch on hinges/twist off than one made with junk. Here at Wooden Gate Makers, our proven construction methodologies and wood selections provide stability so you can be sure your gate will keep the gate dishonestly honest. Woods selected for their stability means your bespoke gate can withstand the normal wear and tear of daily use as well as Dorset’s changing weather.

Finally, the increased curb appeal doesn’t necessarily hinge on aesthetic choices; when a property is regularly exposed to the public, the last thing anyone wants is an eyesore when it’s avoidable. A gate that aligns with walls and paths, even garage doors, helps even the simplest front appeal look tidy and complete. This increases the resale value and makes the property easier to present if anyone wants to move.

You can read more about how Wooden Gates are great in Dorset in our Wooden Gates Dorset article, which focuses specifically on the bespoke advantages they offer due to the climate.

How to Get Acclimated to Your Bespoke Options to Make it Easier for You

Most blogs end with “choose bespoke and have a quote.” But to streamline the process for you, here are five steps you can take before committing.

 

• Figure out your necessities and get them into writing 

Before you start with aesthetic choices like style, make sure you account for what’s easiest to impact so you don’t waste time down the line:

• Is privacy most important?
• Is security most likely?
• Will there be aesthetics to consider down the line for resale?
• How much maintenance can you provide?

Put these in ranked order on paper. This makes it an effective outline for you and your gate maker to approach what’s nice vs. what’s necessary, rather than falling into a design that looks cool but doesn’t help your situation.

 

• Take pictures and sketch what you have 

Take clearly defined pictures:

• From the road/approach to the entrance
• From the inside of the driveway/garden looking out
• Any areas of concern – sloping, drains, meters – from an angle

Then draw a basic sketch with overlayed widths where boundary walls or pillars are and where cars usually sit. This doesn’t have to be architectural, just a basic sketch will help your supplier understand where the potential complexities may lie.

 

• Measure everything yourself or have them measured

Measuring for gates is key; even 10-15mm off can cause issues during installation, leading to dragging or misalignment when gates close. Many suppliers have local measuring services within their fitting areas, which can save many Dorset customers time and frustration.

If you’re outside the fitting area or would like to do it on your own, the best option is an extensive guide. For example, our article on How to measure wooden gates explains where to measure, how many times to measure and notes about slopes and uneven ground.

 

• Assess boundaries and regulation possibilities 

In England and Wales, most private gates don’t require planning permission as long as they comply with the proper height regulations. Exceptions include listed buildings/conservation sites as well as new builds with covenants.

 

 Therefore, before you commit:

• Make sure you comply with national regulations from The Planning Portal.
• Review notes from your local authority regarding any boundaries or Article 4 directions.
• If you’re unsure who owns what boundary, use title plans. (MyBuilder)

 

• Manual versus automatic opening 

If you’d like automatic capabilities, plan for them from day one. Automation affects post sizes, hinge placements, electrical supply, and safety clearances. The Health and Safety Executive has clear regulations for powered gates, and organisations like Gate Safe offer free homeowner guides to read.

Wooden Gate Makers can provide your timber in preparation for automation, but recommend against DIY endeavours; instead, use a specialised automation contractor who can best advise you on safe options.

 

Decisions Surrounding Attributes that Make Effective Bespoke Gates

Height versus privacy

Generally speaking, front boundaries are more often seen than entirely blocked; driveways should leave space when turning out, but side/rear access doesn’t need that compromise. Think about increased height for privacy/security purposes:

• Around 1m-1.2m for front gates.
• Up to 2m for side/rear gates (noting any allowances from planning limitations).

 

From a recommended perspective, many homeowners around the area agree upon the following heights:

• 1m-1.2m max for all front/gates that align with the site lines of the road
• 1.5m max for any side/rear that requires privacy, based on a maximum of 2m recommended by planning regulations.

Speak with your supplier and look up regulations if you’re concerned about their findings.

Timber selection vs finishing

Timber choice is what makes Wooden Gates the Wooden Gate Makers’ speciality. Generally, softwoods can be an inexpensive choice if treated, whereas hardwoods like Iroko offer additional stability, weight, and longevity for higher-use driveways/side access.

 

Be sure to ask about:

• The type of wood with longevity expectations.
• If it’s engineered or real wood.
• Treatment (pressure treated vs primed vs finished by you).
• Stains/paints recommended and maintenance intervals in between.

Outside articles can provide context, but sometimes timber experts’ knowledge should speak for itself once they understand the climate over time in Dorset.

 

Swing/motion & Clearances

How your gate moves is just as important as how it looks.

• Inward-swinging if it’s domestic; most sidewalks can accommodate this option outside of pedestrian pathways.
• Outward-swinging is fine if there’s no room, but it must be discussed with the specific zoning to ensure it doesn’t overlap onto public roads.
• Sliding or bi-parting gates are good options for steep inclines or vast spaces.

Discuss parking placement and turning radii, or how they might change down the line due to landscaping.

 

Are manufactured vs bespoke timber gates adequate?

Generic flat-pack solutions may work if you’ve got fencing as boundaries, but otherwise, for a temporary solution, if at all, they’re not strong enough and won’t stand the test of time.

Generic gates/panels may work well enough if you want to make things simple or they’re going up as temporary fencing until something else can be done.

 

Bespoke timber solutions give you:

• Exact widths.
• Style options based on how it aligns with your house, not just what’s at the merchant a mile or two away.
• Stronger frames/joinery made for effectiveness.
• A means by which side/rear wooden garden gates could match wooden garage doors if you’d like aesthetically down the line.

Over time, this makes sense versus investing in something off-the-shelf that never works 100%.

 

Simple maintenance for tailored gates

Timber-tailored gates shouldn’t require replacement every quarter of their lifespan due to custom-built options, but they shouldn’t require hands-on care every season/monthly, either, for that matter.

 

Consider the following:

• Every 3-4 months: check hinges/latches/locks; rinse any salt/dirt from them (in coastal areas); remove debris from swing areas/where drainage happens.
• Once a year: check latches/paint/gaps in exposed wood; sand lightly/re-latch if necessary; if powered, check safety/functionality based on standards from HSE.
• Every few years: Redo blisters; overhaul hinges at ground/posts, gaps exposed, where they meet the wood/metal/aluminium, assess condition based on recommendations.

When you have maintenance recommendations predetermined by Wooden Gate Makers based on wood selections/stains/location, it’s easier than reacting to plans without caution once problems arise. New wood provides a broader picture relative to fencing/walls/driveways in your project that would require coordination/aesthetic considerations.

One final thing to consider before making a decision: 

 

• Are boundary walls robust enough to support a new heftier/higher-quality gate? General pictures about walls can be found on GOV.UK. 

 

• Where would you want them solid/open if boundaries didn’t matter?

 

• What other future works may happen down the road that would require finishing now so the gates work correctly later?

 

If you’re unsure about these considerations, check out our about us page, where we explain how we create bespoke designs/installations all across Poole and beyond in Dorset.

 

Tailored gates can be as good as the planning, measuring and building that ensures they fit your reality and lifestyle. With the tips above, you’ll go from merely accepting inferior entry options at your borders to thriving with gates that provide privacy, security and aesthetic appeal.

That’s the standard Wooden gate makers sets for ourselves each in our Poole workshop. As a named workshop with checkatrade recommendations, we boast over 600 checktrade reviews and many independent shout-outs across the South Coast.

Custom gates are an investment, but with joinery of this quality, designed, constructed and installed for durability, Dorset homes are more comfortable, secure and safe. If you’re looking for custom gates, contact Wooden Gate Makers today for your free consultation and quote.

 

Benefits of a tailored gate for your home 

 

1. Tailored gates that fit

Tailored gates are made to measure so they work with every slope, wall, and awkward opening. When we come to measure your tailored gate, we take the appropriate measurements and design around your property to ensure maximum open and close performance every day.

 

2. Tailored gates that enhance privacy and security

Tailored gates allow you to select the height, style and timber to secure the privacy you need from the road and your neighbouring properties. We make solid, stable gates with high-quality hardware so your entrance feels secure and controlled, not exposed.

 

3. Tailored gates that match your property

Tailored gates can be made to match modern-style properties and period homes, so your driveway or side access looks as though it was always meant to be there. Wooden Gate Makers has over 25 years of experience in the business, with trustworthy online reviews, and our tailored gates are made of high-quality timber, designed with longevity and value for your property in mind.

 

How It Works

Step 1: Book Your Custom Gates Consultation

Contact us to let us know your needs for custom gates, and we’ll provide you with a free quote. You can even send along a few pictures and some measurements, or we can come to you to get the specs.

 

Step 2: We Design and Create Your Custom Gates

We’ll help you choose designs, timbers and finishes that are best for your home and budget. Our expert craftsmen build your custom gates from scratch in our Poole workshop, and we either install them or drop them off for your convenience.

 

Step 3: Enjoy Your Custom Gates

Your custom gates will become the best custom access points you’ve had, providing easier access, security, and privacy for years to come.

 

The Features of Custom Gates

 

Feature 1: Custom-made to measure construction

Gates are created using custom measurements from your property, not a guide to standard sizing. Therefore, heights, widths and clearances all have to be taken into consideration so that the gate sits square, operates effectively and closes.

 

Feature 2: A large variety of quality softwoods or hardwoods and finishes

There are specific woods to consider that are softwoods and hardwoods that provide strength and versatility for outdoor use and durability, as well as various finishes, colours, and hardware that will make sure these gates are functionally aesthetic and match your home to the desired level of protective quality.

 

Feature 3: The ability for a professional survey fitting and assistance

For clients within our service area, we can come in and measure for the desired fit so your custom gates fit properly from day one. You’ll have the advantage of professional commentary on hinges, posts, automation capabilities and maintenance down the road with years of knowledge behind wooden gate construction.

 

Get in touch for tailored gates
Ready to transform your driveway or garden with tailored gates that fit your home perfectly? Click here to get started and request your tailored gates quote today.

Tailored gates FAQS 

 

1. What is the difference between a tailored gate and a standard gate?

A tailored gate is made to your measurements and preferences, rather than a one-size-fits-all.

It’s designed around your opening, daily use and home’s design to ensure a perfect fit and an appearance as if it has always been there.

 

2. What is your tailored gates service area?

All of our tailored gates are manufactured in our workshop in Poole and installed throughout Dorset and the wider areas.

For those who are more distant from us, we can supply made-to-measure gates throughout the UK and provide you or your chosen installer with bespoke advice.

 

3. How much do tailored gates cost?

It depends on width, height, timber, style and whether you’d like a full measure and installation service.

We will always create a transparent, itemised quote for each tailored gates project so you understand the breakdown before you commit.

 

4. How long does it take to have tailored gates fitted?

Once we have the go-ahead, we slot your tailored gates into our workshop and installation queue.

Depending on volume, timescales may vary, but we are always open and honest about any waiting time and guide you step by step throughout the entire process from workshop to installation.

 

5. Can you advise whether my tailored gates should be made of hardwood or softwood?

Indeed, we simplify processes by outlining the pros, cons, and costs in layman’s terms.

We’ll assess the location of the gates, how often they may be opened/closed, and your visual preferences to recommend the best-suited type for your tailored gates.

 

6. Will I need planning permission for tailored gates on my property?

Most privately owned gates do not need planning permission as long as they’re not overly high and not in a sensitive area.

If you’re located in a listed building or conservation area, or you’d like an extra-tall solution, we can point you to planning guidance to advise on what to do next.

 

7. How long should I expect my tailored gates to last, and how do I maintain them?

As long as good-quality timber is used, they are correctly installed, and basic maintenance is adhered to, tailored gates can last for many years.

We provide simple aftercare advice to keep things clean, hardware secure, and finishes up to date, so that your gates remain looking great and working well for years to come.