Garden gates are an important element if you want to restrict your garden from unauthorized entry. These gates not only provide protection but also privacy. Traditionally styled wooden garden gates are the most common kind of gates used for gardens though various new materials are being used in the manufacturing of such gates. Wrought iron and steel have become popular for their durability, but still wood with its quality to blend in a garden environment remains the popular choice. Moreover the metal ones don't have the combination of grace and style the wooden ones have. In the test of strength and durability the metal ones perform much better than their wooden counterparts.

So choose accordingly, if you want your garden gate to last really long then go for gates made of metal and if style is your primary criteria then the wooden ones serve your purpose in the best way.

Garden gates are available in so many styles and designs that choosing one among them is really a though job. Choice of style is important to match with the rest of the surrounding. In case you are not able to make up your mind, go for the flat top, basically rectangular and solid in shape ones, as it is the most basic garden gate design and it remains the most popular among buyers. It would fit well in any kind of surrounding. Then there is this variation on the flat top design with slender gaps between its vertical planks.

There are many other designs like the simple arched top garden gate, which is nearly similar to the basic flat top design, but has an arched and curved top. A variation in this design is the garden gate with the inner and outer beam formations raised above the level of the lower arch.

Other popular designs include the one with top third portion of the garden gate open with vertical pieces of hardware linking to a top arched beam. The more traditional designs have these vertical hardware pieces made of wood to give it a more uniform look. Apart from these there are several other designs both in wood and metal to choose from.

With the advent of the more and more stylish designs garden gates have become more than just for practical use. It adds to the overall look of the garden as that is the first thing anybody coming in would notice. They give your garden surroundings the additional touch of elegance.