Enjoy Security and Style With Automatic Wooden Driveway Gates
As a leading designers and installers of residential driveway gates, we know that clients want a secure solution, but one that doesn’t mean compromising on style or sustainability. Wooden electric gates for driveways have stood the test of time and continue to be a popular choice, whether the property they protect is traditional, or modern. In this article, the 1st Choice team explores the enduring charm of wooden gates.
Priorities When Considering Wooden Electric Gates for Driveways
However good-looking your driveway gates, they need to be able to withstand hot summers and icy winters, whilst continuing to provide optimal performance. Additionally, wooden gates should be durable, and resistant to cracking, warping, or splitting over time. All wooden gates require ongoing maintenance, but good quality designs, materials and professional installation will ensure minimal ongoing care is required.
In order to guarantee protection and security for your family, electric gates need to be precision-fitted, and equipped with an access control system. This allows someone in the house to ascertain the identity of unexpected visitors before allowing them access. If your family requires privacy in the front garden of your home, the 1st Choice design team can offer guidance on design choices.
Design Options For Wooden Driveway Gates
There are a number of wooden gate designs to choose from, catering to a variety of architectural styles and aesthetic preferences. Here are some choices to consider:
- Swing Gates. This timeless design comprises two wooden panels that swing open from the centre. It’s a great way to welcome guests to your home.
- Sliding Gate. If your driveway doesn’t have the depth to accommodate a swing gate, the sliding gate is an elegant alternative. It slides horizontally along a track, saving space, and operating seamlessly.
- Minimalist Gates. For contemporary homes, a minimalist wooden gate offering design with clean, crisp lines creates a sleek and elegant aesthetic.
- Curved Gates. Incorporating curves into your design offers an intriguing aesthetic which draws attention to the beauty of your chosen wood.
Exploring Hardwood and Softwood Options
When it comes to choosing the right material for your gates, both softwood and hardwood offer unique qualities:
Softwood Gates
Softwood is generally less durable than hardwood, it is also, for the most part, more affordable. 1st Choice designers would recommend Accoya or Red Cedar which are durable and attractive:
- Red Cedar. The high oil content of this wood gives it both a unique aroma and natural resistance to insects and fungal attacks. It doesn’t require a protective coating, and when left, it weathers attractively, developing a silver shimmer. Applying preservatives will enhance protection.
- Treated Pine. Pine is a commonly used and affordable wood for driveway gate design. As a typical softwood, though, it requires a protective coating and ongoing maintenance to ensure its longevity.
- Accoya. This belongs to the pine family but it has undergone an acetic acid process, resulting in tremendous strength and durability, quite apart from its aesthetic qualities.
Hardwood Gates
Hardwood tends to be more durable and requires less maintenance compared to softwood gates. Additionally, the appearance of hardwood gates is often preferred as it displays differs fewer knots in the grain. Popular hardwoods include:
- Redwood. Very strong and attractive. Redwood typically undergoes pressure treatment to bolster its resistance against insects and fungi.
- Iroko. An incredibly durable wood that will last for decades. The grain colouring is yellowish brown to dark brown and displays interlocking grain patterns that are quite unique.
- Oak. European oak is known for its density and high tannin content. It offers exceptional durability and resistance to fungal and insect attacks. It is also a traditionally beautiful wood that comes at a high price.
Why Choose Wooden Electric Gates For Driveways?
Wooden gates offer a stylish and sustainable choice for your driveway, providing a blend of elegance and durability. They have tons of charm, are integrally versatile, and they will complement virtually any architectural style whilst also enhancing your home’s security.
Choosing wooden gates also contributes to the preservation of our planet. Wood, as a renewable resource, ensures a sustainable choice. The design options and types of wood available makes to customise your wooden gates to perfectly align them with your property and your personality.
1st Choice recommends regular maintenance for your electric wooden gates in order to maintain both the beauty of your chosen wood, and the performance you will come to expect from them.
Working With 1st Choice – Bespoke Electric Gate Installers
Installing wooden electric gates is a long-term investment, which is why it’s so important to choose the right design and install company. 1st Choice Security Systems has been providing bespoke driveway gates to customers in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and North London since 2006. We have a great reputation for our bespoke design, installation and customer service.
We understand how important it is to be able trust installers fitting electric gates near your home. All our engineers are DBS checked, SafeContractor approved, and SSAIB approved. We use a job management system to ensure maximum efficiency and we work to the ISO2001-2015 standard.
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Would you like to speak to 1st Choice electric gate installers about wooden gates for your driveway? Call us today on 0800 1182414
JUL