Wood Driveway Gates & Entry Gates
Looking for beautiful, affordable wood driveway and entry gates? I design and build custom and high end wood gates to reflect the architectural style of your home, whether you have a Spanish bungalow, a Mediterranean villa, a Craftsman home, or Mission style estate.
I create well built structures that give you a good return on your investment. I do all the work myself, so you don't have to deal with crews or brush up on a foreign language. And I build for one homeowner at a time so you don't have construction start and stop -- and stretch out for weeks.
Below is my portfolio of wooden gate photos, as well as pricing for gates in Los Angeles and a detailed gate design guide.
**For gate repairs, a simple garden gate, or automatic gates try these links.
Portfolio of Wood Driveway Gates & Entry Gates
My online portfolio features photos of gates for driveways, entryways and gardens. To see pricing, materials and other information about each gate, click on a photo .
The more you know about what you like and don't like, the easier it is to create and build a gate you will be delighted with for years to come. If you see what you want (or something close), we can use that as a starting point for a client inspired design. For more ideas, check out the resources below.
Modern & Asian Style Wood Gates
 
Modern / Asian Entry Gate Modern / Asian Fusion Double Entry Gate
 
Horizontal Redwood Entry Gate Modern Mangaris™ Entry Gate
 
Modern Ipe / Ironwood Entry Gate to Deck Asian Style Arched Entry Gate
Cottage Style Wood Gates
 
Cottage Style Curved Garden Gate Cottage Entry Gate
Mediterranean, Southwestern, Spanish & Mission Style Gates
 
Southwestern Driveway Gate Southwestern Hacienda Driveway Gate
 
Mediterranean Villa Entry Gate Spanish Driveway Arched Gate
 
Spanish Medieval Driveway Gate Southwestern Privacy Entry Gate
 
Spanish Bungalow Driveway Gate Spanish Bungalow Fitted Gates
Craftsman Style Wood Gates
 
Craftsman Inspired Driveway Gate Greene & Green Inspired Gate
 
Arbor over Entry Gate Arbor over Tennis Court Gate
Double Wood Driveway Gate
Prices For Custom Wood Gates
The prices below are for well built wood gates that look good and function for years. Unfortunately, not all wood gates are built well, and it can be difficult for a layman to tell the difference between a well built gate and one that will start having problems in a few years. Good quality material and hardware, combined with superior building skills, make all the difference.
The cost depends on the type of wood gate you want: basic, custom, or high end.
- A basic gate is a simple wood structure and starts at $400. For this type of gate you want to find a basic gate builder, so please see my related links.
- A custom gate runs from $800 - $2,000 for entry gates and $1,600 - $4,500 for driveway gates. You can save money if you have a gate and fence built at the same time, since a gate can be built while the concrete sets on fence posts or arbor footings. Surprisingly, there are builders who charge a lot more.
- A high end wood gate or pair of gates is an investment in architectural style and high quality construction. An entry gate starts at $2,000 and a driveway gate starts at $4,500.
If you are purchasing a pre-made wood gate, remember to include the cost of on-site installation and additional materials (posts, concrete and often hardware) in your budget. You can also read more about comparing estimates.
Design Guide For Wooden Driveway Gates & Entry Gates
This design guide provides design ideas and information on how to develop a great gate design, select the best location and identify the right wood for your needs and budget.
Design Elements For Wood Gates
The style of your gate is influenced by material and construction details such as:
- post size (width, height and thickness)
- railing and fence boards
- wood patterning and cut outs
- post caps and finials
- hardware (hinges, latches, locks)
- joinery techniques
- wood texture, color and finish
Harmonizing Your Gates With Your Garden & Home
Your gate should harmonize with the style of your garden landscaping, as well as the look and feel of your home:
- Open structures like picket and lattice gates for more casual gardens and cottage style homes
- Rustic gates for haciendas and pueblos
- Bamboo and half moon gates for Asian style homes and Zen gardens
- More formal and detailed solid gates for California and Craftsman bungalows
If your home has a distinctive architectural or artistic style, you may want to have your gate match it. For example:
- Mediterranean, Southwestern, Spanish & Mission Gates ~ Start with natural wood posts and natural boards. Add in period looking post caps and rustic metalwork hinges to achieve this style.
- Arts & Crafts, Craftsman & Greene and Greene Inspired Gates ~ At the heart of this style is smooth planed wood assembled using simple, sometimes pegged joints and wooden latches. Additionally, beams with rounded edges, "japanese" style joinery and the "cloud lift" motif are a mark of the Greene & Greene style. Complete the look by using simple board patterns, trim accents, and copper post caps.
- Cottage, Colonial & Ranch Gates ~ One of the most popular gate styles is cottage -- which is a simple looking gate that I like to give a sophisticated feel with vertical accents and arches. The style can be adapted to work well for English farm houses, Queen Annes, Victorians and English Colonials by echoing distinctive details in the house architecture -- such as porch railings, eave grillwork or fence details.
- Modern & Asian / Zen Gates ~ Modern and Asian style homes can offer more of a style challenge because the architectural style is so strong that an ordinary looking gate would look out of place. For modern gates, I like to use simple designs which highlight the natural characteristics of the wood along with sleek hardware. For Asian and Japanese Zen gardens, traditional designs like a half moon gate can create an important focal point and transition into the garden.
The overall dimensions should also fit with the proportions of the garden. If your gate arbor is intended to support plants, the size and proportions should be matched to the size, weight and density of the plant.
The final color should compliment the colors used in your landscaping and home. If you want to blend into the landscaping, the natural color of the wood or browns and greens work well. If you want the structure to stand out or highlight nearby plants, strong colors like white or black can be used. Using the same color and trim details on the gate as on your home will make it look like an integral part of your home.
Design Criteria & Location Considerations For Wood Gates
- Use ~ The most important design factor is how the gate will be used. The type of use, and how much it will have to withstand, determines the strength requirements. Privacy and security are also important design factors. Large posts and a heavier framework can provide more strength. High solid paneling and a self closing mechanism provide more privacy. Usage issues for gates will also impact the:
- size (height, width, thickness)
- pass through clearance (height, width, ease of modification)
- opening direction (inward or outward)
- hinged side (from the left or right)
- gate panels (single or double)
- ease of access (remote, manual)
- access methods (for children, pets)
- multiple entrance methods (use of a postern gates which is a smaller door set within the gate itself or a pet door/window)
- closing method (manual or self closing)
- latching method (manual or self latching)
- locking method (key or bolt and from which side)
- visibility (peep holes, viewing windows)
- Placement ~ Gates should be placed to work with the natural flow of traffic and the type of pathway or driveway leading to and from it. For garden gates, the placement of the gate and the view upon entry should also be considered.
- Size & Shape ~ The gate and its arbor should be proportioned and styled to fit its surrounding environment of house, landscaping, and fencing. Clearance requirements are determined by what needs to pass through the gate or arch, as well as how often. Consider the size and shape of cars, people, gardening equipment, trash barrels, toys, and lawn furniture. The overall width and height may be determined by existing structures and landscaping. Together, these factors impact the overall design, number of gate panels and construction technique.
- Wind & Water ~ In areas that experience high winds, a more open design, extra bracing, and heavy duty hardware may be needed. Where excessive moisture (from rain, sprinklers and deep shade) are factors, the gate or arch should be designed to shed rain and dew readily. Ideally, the project should also be placed to dry out well after raining or watering plants. Good drainage away from post bottoms should also be created.
Material & Design Options For Wood Gates
- Materials ~ To maximize the life of your gate, the gate frame should be made of appropriate, long life materials. The gate posts should be set in steel column bases. The posts, frame and facing can be made of Redwood, Mangaris™ ( Red Balau), Ironwood (Ipe), Cedar, or other woods. See below for more details.
- Finishes ~ Heat and light contribute to weathering, so a UV protective finish is very important. If the gate arbor will be covered with hard to remove plants or vines, it is very important to also apply a thorough coating beforehand. Stains (clear, tinted, or solid) and paint are popular finish choices.
- Hardware ~ False hinges and ornamental iron (such as straps, bolts, and decorative studs) may be added to enhance the appearance and style. Locks and latches are chosen for use, durability and style. These can range from custom made wooden latches and medieval ironwork to modern house knobs and dead bolts.
- Decorative Design ~ To enhance the design, gates can be curved and decorative gate posts and filler panels added. Trim, moldings, lattice, strapping, post caps, and finials add to the uniqueness of your gate.
- Lighting ~ Light fixtures can add to the style and functionality of your gate to create mood and night lighting. Or to turn it into temporary focal point in the evenings.
Selecting The Right Wood For Your Gate
To make sure you are delighted with your custom driveway or entry gate -- you want to choose the right building material. In Los Angeles, the popular wood (and composite) choices allow you to make tradeoffs in terms of cost, quality, color, visual appearance, ease of maintenance and the ability to resist the elements (water, sun and pests).
You need to select materials for ...
- the framing (posts and cross pieces) used to support the weight of the your gate
- the wood used for gate boards, trim and accents
Wood For Framing & Substructures
The first type of wood to choose is for your framing -- the structure that holds your gate upright and to which you attach the wood panels or boards.
- Pressure Treated Wood ~ For hidden framing, I only use pressure treated lumber (see photo). This wood is treated with a variety of chemicals to make it resistant to termites and rot. In the last few years, a major change has been made to the preservatives used -- they are safer for the environment but less effective.
- Redwood ~ For visible framing, such as gate posts, cross pieces and railings you can upgrade to redwood for a better appearance.
Wood Choices For Gates
There are several popular choices for wood boards. Once you have chosen the boards, I pick the appropriate wood for your trim and posts. Based on your needs and budget, I can also build gates out of other woods and some composite materials.
- Cedar ~ A soft, golden-tan wood (see photo) that offers good weather and termite resistance.
- Redwood ~ A distinctive pink/red colored wood which ages to gray. The red heartwood is naturally resistant to damage from termites and moisture. Any white part of a redwood board, known as sapwood, has little resistance to termites and rot. I use Construction Grade Heart Redwood, commonly known as Con Heart (see photo), which has no sapwood and some knots. For trim, I hand select the best clear redwood (see photo) with the least amount of sapwood possible. I can also use more expensive grades of redwood, if your budget permits.
- Mangaris™ (Red Balau) ~ A dense grained, reddish-brown hardwood (see photo) from Indonesia/Thailand that ages to a silver gray like Teak. It stains up like Mahogany and is more durable than Redwood. See the rich color of the unstained wood (see photo).
- "Ironwoods" ~ A chocolate brown family of heavy and durable South American hardwoods, including Ipe and Pau Lope. They offer excellent termite and weather resistance. However, they are more labor intensive and costly.
Related Links and Resources
If you need ideas and inspiration, check out the resources below, clip magazine pictures, look through your vacation photos and keep an eye out for what you like in the neighborhood.
The more you know about what you like and don't the easier it is to create and build something you will be delighted with for years to come.
Out of Area Builders
Unfortunately, since I build everything on site, I can not build and ship you a driveway gate, entry gate or garden gate. If you live outside of the Los Angeles area and want to find a local builder or are looking for a pre-made gate, check out these online sites:
- Charles Prowell Woodwork
Fine high end wood architectural fence panels and gates pre-made and installed by a local craftsman in major cities, including Los Angeles. Site features an extensive photo catalog. (Remember to factor in the cost of local installation into your budget.)
- PacificGatesWorks.com of Sherwood, OR
This firm makes and ships pre-made mission style gates. (Remember to factor the cost of local installation into your budget.)
- FenceScenes.com of Mount Vernon, WA
This small firm designs and builds artistic fences and gates in the Pacific Northwest and ships overseas. If you are looking for something "outside of the box", check out their 30+ photos.
If you need an automatic residential wood driveway or entry gate in Los Angeles, you might try these two sources. I haven't had a chance to work with them, so let me know what you think of them.
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