A Garden is never fully complete without a garden gate, and it’s also the first thing you see when you enter your home or office. The garden gate is an essential part of any garden design, but if you are looking for some modern garden gates to add more style and beauty to your garden, then look no further than these cool wooden garden gates. Wood has been used in many ways in architecture, furniture, interior decoration, etc., and this is one such example where we have come up with some amazing designs that will surely make your garden look beautiful.
The type of wood used for making the garden gate depends on the purpose of the garden gate. For instance, if you want to create a very rustic look in your garden, then you can use a wooden fence post instead of using a metal fence post. If you want to give a contemporary touch to your garden, then you should go for a sleek and elegant wooden garden gate. Before we hop into a thorough analysis of different types of woods, let’s look at why Wood is an important component of a Garden Gate.
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Why should you Use Wood for your Garden Gate?
Wood is one of the most versatile materials used by humans across the globe. It is not only used as a building material but is also used extensively in many other fields mentioned above. There are several benefits of using wooden garden gates over other materials. Some of them are:
- Durability: Wooden garden gates are extremely durable and strong. They are made out of different types of hardwoods which makes them last longer than other materials.
- Low maintenance: Wooden garden gates require little maintenance. You don’t need to paint them regularly because they won’t get damaged easily.
- Beautiful appearance: Wooden garden gates are not only durable but also look great. They come in various colors and styles which gives them a unique appeal.
- Easy installation: Wooden garden gates are easy to install. All you need is a hammer and nails to put them together. No special tools are required.
- Versatile: Wooden garden gates can be used indoors as well as outdoors. They are perfect for both indoor and outdoor gardens. Wooden garden gates are made from different types of woods like pine, cedar, oak, mahogany, bamboo, teak, etc.
Here are the Different Types of Woods usually considered while building Garden Gates:
1. Pine Wood
Garden gates made from Pine are considered to be among the best choices available in the market today. Pine is a softwood tree that is native to North America and Europe. This particular species of pine is also called White Pine. These trees grow in tall straight trunks and produce cones that contain seeds. Pine is known for its durability and strength. It is widely used for making fences, decks, flooring, stairs, railings, etc.
There are two main varieties of pines that are commonly found in the market. One of them is the Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus). The other variety is the Western White Pine (Pinus monticola). Both of these varieties of pines are harvested from forests located in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
These are the Three Main Advantages of Using Pine wood for building a Garden Gate:
- Good quality: Pines are known for their high-quality timber. They are highly resistant to rot and insects. Therefore, they are among the best options available for people who want to buy garden gates made from wood.
- Long-lasting: Pines are known to be long-lasting and sturdy. They are ideal for creating garden gates that need to withstand heavy traffic.
- Affordable: Pines are cost-effective. They are much cheaper than other woods. You can find pine garden gates at affordable prices.
The issue with pine is that it has a tendency to shrink when exposed to moisture. So, if you plan to keep your garden gates open all year round, then you might have to consider buying more than one set of wooden garden gates.
2. Oak Wood
Oak is another popular choice for garden gates. Oak is a deciduous tree that grows in temperate climates around the world. In fact, Oak is the most common type of wood used for making garden gates. It comes in many different varieties and colours.
You can choose between Red Oak, White Oak, Swamp White Oak, Black Oak, and River Birch. Each of these varieties of oaks has its own characteristics. For example, Red Oak is generally lighter coloured than the others. White oak tends to be darker than the others. River birch is similar to maple.
These are the Three Main Advantages of Using Oakwood for building a Garden Gate:
- Durability: Owing to its natural oils, Oak makes an excellent material for building garden gates. It stands up against water and weather conditions very well.
- Strength: Oak is strong. It is extremely hard and dense. It is therefore suitable for creating large garden gates.
- Affordability: Owing to the low price of this type of wood, oak is a good option for people on a budget. You can easily find oak garden gates online or in local stores.
3. Bamboo Wood
Bamboo is another popular choice for those looking to build garden gates. Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that grows up to 10 feet per day. It grows quickly and produces shoots within a few months after planting. The bamboo plants usually grow into small clumps. They can be planted either directly in soil or in pots. Bamboo is a versatile plant because it grows in almost any climate. It thrives in hot and humid areas as well as cold and dry places.
These are the Three Main Advantages of Using Bamboo wood for building a Garden Gate:
- Flexibility: Bamboo is flexible. It bends without breaking. This means that it can be bent to create garden gates of varying sizes.
- Lightweight: Bamboo is lightweight. A typical garden gate made from bamboo weighs about 50 pounds. Therefore, it is easy to move around.
- Low maintenance: Bamboo requires little care. It does not require regular watering and fertilization. As such, it is perfect for people who do not have time to maintain their gardens.
However, there are also disadvantages associated with using Bamboo Wood for building garden doors. These include:
- Expensive: Bamboo is expensive. If you want to buy a quality garden gate made from bamboo, you will need to spend a lot of money.
- Difficult to Work With: Bamboo is difficult to work with. Because it is soft and pliable, working with bamboo takes longer than working with other types of materials like metal.
4. Cedar Wood
Cedar is also very sought out for while making Garden Gates. Cedar is a slow-growing evergreen tree that grows in temperate regions all over the world. It is native to North America. There are two types of cedars: Western Cedar and Eastern Cedar. Western Cedar is Light Grey while eastern cedar is Dark Brown. Both kinds of cedar make great garden gates.
These are the Three Main Advantages of Using Cedar Wood for building a Garden Gate:
- Durability: Cedar is resistant to decay and insects. It can stand up to harsh weather conditions. It is therefore ideal for creating garden gates.
- Strength: Cedar is strong. It is heavy and durable.
- Easy to work with: Cedar is easy to cut and shape. It is one of the easiest woods to work with.
There are, however, several disadvantages associated with using Cedar to build Garden Gates:
- Heavy: Cedar is heavy. It is therefore not suitable for making smaller garden gates. However, if you need a sturdy garden gate, then cedar is the best option.
- Costly: Cedar is costly. In fact, it is one of the most expensive woods available today.
5. Mahogany Wood
Another popular wood used for building garden gates is Mahogany. Mahogany is an evergreen hardwood tree that grows mainly in tropical climates. It has been cultivated since ancient times. Mahogany trees produce dark green heartwood and lighter sapwood. Heartwood is the part of the tree that contains tannins, which give mahogany its rich colour. Sapwood, on the other hand, is white in color. When sawn, Mahogany tends to split along grain lines.
The following are three major benefits associated with using Mahogany Wood for building garden gates:
- Beautiful to look at: Mahogany is beautiful. Its rich red color makes it attractive. Moreover, it adds value to your property.
- Durable: Mahogany is very durable. It resists rot, mold, and mildew. It is therefore ideal to use when building garden gates.
- Easy to work with: Mahogany is easy to work with. It is lightweight. You can easily cut and shape it into any desired design.
There are some disadvantages associated with using Mahogany as well:
- Expensive: Mahogany is expensive. It is therefore not affordable for everyone.
- Mahogany is not recommended for outdoor use: The natural oils present in mahogany may react with rainwater to create stains. This means that it cannot be used outdoors. It can be used in indoor gardens and patios only.
6. Teak Wood
Teak is a dense hardwood tree that grows primarily in India and Southeast Asia. Teak trees grow from 20 to 50 feet tall. They have smooth bark and large leaves. Teak is a member of the Mint family.
The following are the three major benefits associated with choosing Teak as the wood for your garden gate:
- Beautiful: Teak is beautiful. It looks elegant and classy.
- Long-lasting: Teak lasts for years. It will withstand extreme weather conditions. It is thus ideal for building garden gates.
- Lightweight: Teak is lightweight. It is therefore perfect for making small garden gates.
There are, though, two major drawbacks associated with using teak as the material to make garden gates:
- Expensive: Teak is expensive. It is one of those rare materials that are not readily available.
- Cannot be worked with: Teak is difficult to work with. It splinters easily. It requires special tools to carve.
The Verdict: Which Wood is the Best for Making a Garden Gate?
You can choose between many other types of wood to build your garden gate. These include maple, poplar, cypress, and more. You need to take into consideration several factors before deciding on what kind of wood you want to use for your garden gate. Among these factors are durability, cost, and ease of working. According to us, Pine Wood is the way to go, when you are making a Garden Gate. Not only does it come with an array of different advantages, but it also suits a lot of other use-cases such as making tables and chairs, so if you are someone who is looking for a bit of uniformity in their Garden, Pine Wood is the way to go. There are more beautiful options available, yes, but from pure usability, economical and logical point of view, Pine Wood is the Best Wood for making a Garden Gate.
