Choosing the Right Timber Gate: Sizes, Styles & Uses

Quick Answer

The right timber gate depends mainly on what it needs to do: a pedestrian or garden gate for everyday foot access, an entrance or driveway gate for vehicle access at the front of a property, a field or farm gate for agricultural and paddock use, or a footpath gate (typically a kissing gate) for public rights of way. Each has different standard size ranges and construction, covered below.

Which gate do you need? A quick decision guide

Use case	Typical size	Gate type	See
Garden, side or pedestrian access	900mm – 1,200mm wide, 1,000mm – 1,800mm tall	Small garden / pedestrian gate	Garden and pedestrian gates
Driveway or front entrance	2,400mm – 3,600mm wide as a pair	Entrance / driveway gate	Entrance and driveway gates
Field, paddock or agricultural access	2,400mm – 4,800mm wide	Field / farm gate (5‑bar or 6‑bar)	Farm and field gates
Public footpath or right of way	Governed by British Standard BS 5709	Kissing gate	Footpath and right of way gates

All widths above are typical ranges rather than fixed sizes — most timber gates, including ours, can be made to bespoke measurements where a standard size doesn’t fit the opening.

Garden and pedestrian gates

Also called side gates, wooden pedestrian gates are typically 900mm to 1,200mm wide and 1,000mm to 1,800mm tall, making them suitable for garden access, side passageways and lighter-use entrances. Styles range from simple ledged-and-braced designs to gates with a curved or convex top. Browse our small garden and pedestrian gates range for the full selection.

Entrance and driveway gates

Entrance gates (also called driveway gates) are built for the front of a property and are typically 2,400mm to 3,600mm wide when installed as a pair. They’re available in a range of styles, from traditional ledged-and-braced designs to closeboard and curved-top options, and can be made to order for openings outside the standard range. See our full entrance gates range, or our gate guide for sizing and installation advice specific to entrance gates.

Farm and field gates

Timber farm gates (also called field gates) are built for heavier agricultural, equestrian and rural use. They’re typically 2,400mm to 4,800mm wide and are available in traditional or curved-stile 5‑bar and 6‑bar styles, suited to fields, paddocks and farm entrances. See our field and farm gates range for traditional and curved-stile options, made to bespoke measurements where needed.

Footpath and right of way gates

Footpath gates — most commonly kissing gates — provide pedestrian access across a public right of way while keeping livestock contained, without requiring people to climb over a stile. A kissing gate is built with a V‑shaped enclosure and a hinged gate that swings between two posts, so only one person can pass through at a time.

Gates and structures on public rights of way in the UK should generally conform to British Standard BS 5709, which sets out minimum widths and safety requirements for gates and stiles used on footpaths, bridleways and byways — worth checking with your local authority before installing or replacing one. We supply footpath and right of way products, including kissing gates supplied as a kit with mortised posts, along with stiles, footbridges and waymarker signage.

Getting the size right

• Measure the width of the opening between the gate posts at both the top and the bottom — openings are rarely perfectly square.

• Measure the clear height required for the gate itself.

• Allow a 10 – 15mm gap at each side and approximately 50mm clearance at the bottom for a standard installation.

• For double gates, remember each gate leaf should cover half the total opening width.

Posts, hinges and installation

• For entrance gates, posts should be set into the ground to a minimum depth of 450mm, with an ideal depth of 900mm for the best long-term stability.

• Gate hinges should cover at least a third of the gate’s height for secure, long-lasting support.

• A full range of hinges, catches, bolts and latches is available in our gate fittings and accessories range.

• If you’d rather not install the gate yourself, Walford Timber can put you in touch with a vetted local installer through its Installer Network.

Choosing your timber

Pressure-treated Scandinavian redwood (pine or spruce) is the practical, widely used choice for most domestic gates. If you want a gate that needs less ongoing maintenance and can last 30 years or more, hardwoods such as iroko or European oak are the alternative — though they’re typically supplied untreated and finished differently to softwood.

All Walford Timber gates are pressure-treated using the PermaTimber® process, which carries a 15-year guarantee against fungal decay and insect attack. Many individual gate products also carry their own 10-year product guarantee — check the specific gate’s product page for which applies.

FAQs

What size are standard garden gates?

Wooden pedestrian or garden gates are typically 900mm to 1,200mm wide and 1,000mm to 1,800mm tall, though bespoke sizes are available if your opening falls outside that range.

How wide should a driveway entrance gate be?

As a pair, entrance gates are typically 2,400mm to 3,600mm wide in total. Each leaf of a double gate should cover half of that total opening width.

What’s the difference between a field gate and an entrance gate?

Field (farm) gates are built for heavier agricultural use, are typically wider (2,400mm to 4,800mm), and are usually of 5‑bar or 6‑bar construction. Entrance gates are designed for the front of a residential or commercial property and tend to prioritise appearance alongside strength.

Do I need permission to install a footpath gate?

Gates and stiles on public rights of way are generally the responsibility of the landowner to install and maintain safely, and should conform to British Standard BS 5709. Requirements can vary by local authority, so it’s worth checking before installing or replacing a gate on a right of way.

How deep should entrance gate posts be set?

A minimum depth of 450mm is generally required, with an ideal depth of around 900mm for the best long-term stability, particularly for heavier gates.

Can timber gates be made to a bespoke size?

Yes. Most timber gates, including entrance, garden and field gates, can be made to measure where a standard size doesn’t fit the opening.

Related guides

• All timber gates

• Entrance gates

• Small garden and pedestrian gates

• Field and farm gates

• Footpath and right of way products

• Kissing gates

• Gate guide

• Gate fittings and accessories