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Framed Part-Solid Dipped Top Gate: Custom Craftsmanship for Your Fencing Needs

If you’re looking to elevate your boundary with a touch of timeless timber design, the framed part-solid dipped top gate offers a striking blend of aesthetics, security, and practical functionality. These gates are built to bespoke customer specifications, ensuring every detail aligns with your space, style, and budget. In this post, we’ll explore what makes framed part-solid gates special, the timber options, finishes, sizing, and the optional extras that can tailor the gate to your property. We’ll also highlight how Empress Fencing Clitheroe can help you bring a tailored solution to life.

Why choose a framed part-solid dipped top gate?

Framed part-solid dipped top gates are a versatile choice for many garden and property styles. They typically feature a sturdy 3″ thick frame, with a visual split that presents approximately two-thirds solid panels at the top and one-third open or framed at the bottom. This design provides a balance between privacy and air flow, while maintaining an elegant silhouette that complements both traditional and contemporary settings.

Key advantages include:

• Enhanced security with a solid bottom section
• Aesthetic appeal that suits heritage properties as well as modern plots
• Structural strength from a robust 3″ thick frame
• Customisable dimensions to fit non-standard openings

These gates are especially well-suited for those who want a substantial, durable gate that still offers light permeability and a welcoming frontage.

Timber options: softwood, redwood, and hardwood choices

The framed part-solid dipped top gate is available in a range of timber options to suit your climate, budget, and preferred finish. Each timber type has its own character and performance considerations.

• Softwood: A cost-effective option that can be hand-stained to achieve a personalised look. Softwood gates are typically supplied ready for you to apply your own stain, allowing you to tailor the colour and sheen to your garden or home exterior.
• Redwood: Known for its natural resistance to decay and a warm, classic appearance. Redwood provides a good balance of strength and beauty, ideal for gates that will weather with grace.
• Hardwood (Sapele or Iroko): For lasting durability and a refined finish, hardwood is a popular choice. We particularly recommend that all gates made in this style in hardwood have a solid bottom bar to maximise stability and longevity. Sapele offers a rich tone with a tight grain, while Iroko is renowned for its robust performance in exposed conditions.

Note: For hardwood-framed gates, the solid bottom bar is recommended to enhance rigidity and reduce potential sag over time.

Finish and treatment: what you need to know

• Softwood gates: Supplied ready to be hand-stained. This gives you the freedom to select a colour that matches your fencing, house, or landscape design.
• Hardwood gates (Sapele or Iroko): The solid bottom bar is typically included, and the finish is designed to showcase the timber’s natural beauty. Treatment options cannot be pressure-treated for hardwood frames in this design, so it’s important to apply appropriate marine or timber finishes if your gates will be exposed to harsh weather or damp conditions.

Choosing the right finish not only enhances aesthetics but also extends the life of the gate. A quality sealant or stain will help resist moisture ingress and protect against UV damage, ensuring your gate remains a focal point for years to come.

Sizing and bespoke construction

Size is often the primary consideration for any gate project. This framed part-solid dipped top gate is made to order, meaning you can specify nearly any size to fit your opening. A common guide price is for a 4’ wide by 4’ to the highest point gate with a solid bottom bar, in Sapele hardwood. This configuration is £349 + VAT, which provides a solid foundation for a high-quality, long-lasting entrance.

Optional extras can further tailor the gate to your needs:

• Solid bottom and middle rails: Increases rigidity and reduces flex, particularly on wider gates.
• Rebated frame: Improves fit and sealing against weather and noise, helping create a neat, secure hinge line.

If your opening is not a standard size, the bespoke manufacturing process ensures the gate is built to precisely match your measurements. Custom dimensions, including height and width, can be accommodated, ensuring a clean, integrated look within your fencing scheme.

Installation considerations and maintenance tips

• Installation: Proper hinge positioning and alignment are essential for smooth operation and longevity. A gate of this scale benefits from robust fittings and anchors appropriate for the gate’s weight, especially with hardwood constructions.
• Maintenance: Regular checks on hinges, screws, and the bottom rail are recommended. For softwood gates, routine staining or sealing will extend the life of the timber. For hardwood gates, applying a protective finish periodically will help preserve the timber’s colour and structural integrity.

Professional installation can simplify the process and ensure optimal operation, especially if gates are to withstand frequent use, weather exposure, or potential ground movement.

Framed part-solid dipped top gates blend striking design with practical performance. With a 3″ thick frame, a two-thirds to one-third split, and bespoke construction options, they offer a lasting investment for your property’s entrance. Whether you choose softwood for an affordable, ready-to-finish option, or hardwood like Sapele or Iroko for enduring strength and beauty, these gates can be tailored to your exact specifications.

If you’re in the Clitheroe area or nearby, Empress Fencing Clitheroe is a trusted name to guide you through material selection, sizing, and finish choices. They can help translate your vision into a framed part-solid dipped top gate that complements your home and landscape for years to come. Ready to discuss your measurements and finish preferences? A bespoke quote can get you started on a gate that suits both your aesthetic and practical requirements.

If you’re considering enhancing your garden or property with sturdy and elegant 6ft fence panels or decorative fence panels, look no further than Empress Fencing, your local one-stop shop for fence posts, decking, timber, fence panels and fencing fixings. Experience the impact they can have on your outdoor space today!