Paled Flat Top Driveway Gate
These gates offer the perfect solution if you don’t want to block the view and you just want a decorative addition to your house. Paled gates are also a perfect option where solid framed gates would be too large, cumbersome and heavy. They are available in a wide variety of styles and timbers. All gates are made to order to suit your exact requirements.
Timber options
Softwood: Larch, Redwood
Hardwood: Sapele, Iroko or Oak
Size
Any size made to order
Guide price
Larch: 4’ wide x 6’ high = £180 + VAT
Paled Flat Top Driveway Gate Made to Order
A paled flat top driveway gate is built from spaced vertical pales with a level top line, so you can still see the house and garden from the road. We make it to order rather than keeping it on the shelf. That means the width, height and timber are chosen around your driveway, not the other way round.
Our shop stock covers standard garden gates that are ready to collect or deliver. This page is for driveways and wider openings, where a standard size simply will not fit.
Why Choose a Paled Flat Top Driveway Gate
Solid driveway gates are heavy. Across a wide opening they put a lot of strain on hinges and posts, and they catch the wind like a sail. A paled design uses gaps between the boards, so it weighs less and lets air through.
The flat top keeps the look tidy and modern. It suits stone cottages in the Ribble Valley just as well as newer homes with block-paved drives. In addition, the open pales keep sightlines clear when you pull out onto a busy lane.
Softwood or Hardwood Timber
You can choose from two softwoods and three hardwoods. Larch and redwood are the softwood options, and both take a stain or paint well. Sapele, iroko and oak are the hardwood options for a heavier, richer finish.
Softwood keeps the cost down and suits most homes. Hardwood is worth considering on exposed sites or where you want the grain to be the feature. Our guide to the best wood for garden gates compares the species in more detail.
Measuring for a Paled Flat Top Driveway Gate
Measure the gap between your posts at the top, middle and bottom. Old posts often lean, so the three figures may differ. Give us the smallest figure, and tell us whether you want one gate or a pair.
Next, decide on the height. Many people match an existing wall or hedge line. Also check the ground under the swing. A drive that rises towards the house may need the gate to open outwards, or to sit a little higher.
Posts and Fittings for a Wide Gate
A driveway gate needs stronger posts than a garden fence. We stock timber posts in heavier sections, and our article on gate posts and why they need more than a fence post explains why size matters here.
Hinges and latches matter just as much. Browse our gate fittings to choose a set that suits the weight and width of your gate.
How Ordering Works
Call us with your measurements, the timber you prefer and whether you want a single gate or a pair. We will talk through the options and confirm the details before anything is made. Made-to-order work takes longer than stock items, so ask about timing when you order.
We supply the gate, and you or your fitter hang it. Our guide on how to fit a gate covers the basics. For other styles, see our range of driveway gates and field gates.
To order a paled flat top driveway gate, call Empress Fencing on 01200 449930. Delivery is free on orders over £150 across all BB postcode areas, and collection from our Clitheroe yard is also available.
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!
