Williams Gate Works

In the case you have an existing rectangular opening, your must measure the horizontal distance of the opening between your existing posts, columns, or walls, and determine the required height of your gate. We will determine gate dimensions and tolerances based on this information. In the case where you have an existing arch-top opening and would like to match it to an arch-top gate, click here to see how to make that measurement.

Once you’ve determined your gate dimensions, orders for existing gates from the gallery can transact with just a phone call. Depending on complexity, orders requiring a modification to an existing gallery gate (or a completely customized design) may require that you forward information to us, such as a sketch or a photo. Utilizing email (instead of postal mail) will expedite this process. After we understand your requirements, we will forward you a confirmation drawing of your gate and your work order. Upon approval of your confirmation drawing, return it to us. We will then email you an invoice with a hyper link to PayPal. You will execute your financial transaction with a PayPal secure transaction. Upon payment confirmation we will begin work on your gate. For more information please reference the ordering page or contact us.

They do not, however we can recommend general contractors in certain areas whom you may contact for such work. Please contact us for such information.

Proudly!

All of our gates are made in Santa Cruz, California, and we purchase our wood from local sources.

Typical lead times are 3-5 weeks depending on the season and current demand.

It depends on location. We can provide gate installation within reasonable driving proximity of Santa Cruz County, California. This region roughly extends from as far south as Monterey to as far north as the San Francisco bay area.

Absolutely. You may choose an existing design from the gallery, modify an existing gallery design, or provide us with your own design. Let us know what you want and we will work with you to develop a gate which meets your specific requirements. Every gate we design and build is made specifically to each customer's required style, dimensions, and wood species.

It depends on the design of the gate. The cost of a custom gate may exceed or be less than an existing design in the gallery depending upon the relative complexity of the custom design.

In order to convey detailed information to us for custom gate ideas you have, compose your concepts in a hand sketch or mechanical drawing, or use photos or other material which capture your ideas.

All information may be emailed, faxed or post-mailed to us. However, keep in mind that the use of
email (instead of postal mail) facilitates this process.

You may also scan information or documents, convert them to PDF files from your scanner, and then
email the PDF file(s) to us.

If you choose to create a mechanical drawing file, please covert it to PDF file format before e-mailing
it to us.

We can email your final confirmation drawing to you in Adobe PDF file format, however you will need
Adobe Writer to read this file type.

If you do not already have Adobe Writer you can download their latest free version from here or from our contact page.

All of our contact information is located on our contact page.

Most orders for our gates are for vertical grain clear cedar, reclaimed old-growth redwood, or clear redwood, however you may choose other species of wood. Cedar and redwood are the most common species of choice as they maintain sound structural stability (in spite of the elements), posses high resistance to rot and insect intrusion, and have attractive grain and color.

We use no metal fasteners in our gate frames, and construct using mortise and tenon joinery, utilizing 3/4"- thick plywood tenons and marine-grade epoxy. This method of joinery provides the most superior structural integrity possible. Consequently, the joints are the strongest part of the gate, insuring your gate will never sag over time.

All gate panel boards are locked together using tongue and groove construction and are suspended inside the rabbets (slots) of the frame. Suspension allows for natural expansion and contraction of the wood (resulting from changing weather conditions) while inhibiting panel movement and subsequent rattling.

If you choose to paint your gate in a light color, we will epoxy-seal all end-grains before shipping, which will inhibit cedar tannins from leaching onto the paint.

Otherwise, the surfaces are sanded and are not treated with a product.

Cedar and Redwood are superior species in terms of resistance to rot and insect intrusion. Nevertheless we recommend you treat the surface with a sealant or paint. If left untreated, the structural integrity your gate will not be compromised, however surface aesthetics certainly will.

Exposed to UV rays, the wood surface will naturally begin to gray after only one season. Furthermore, heat and moisture will cause the wood to expand and contract. Treating your gate with sealants or paint will help reduce the effects of exposure. However, should you opt to use a surface product you should consider the required maintenance of re-applying it periodically.

Duration between treatments depends upon several factors such as weather, product quality, and wood condition.

If you wish, we will install all hardware on your gate. We have a large selection of latches, lever handles, dead bolts, hinges, and other miscellaneous hardware. Browse through our hardware selection and let us know if you find something you like.

'Reclaimed' lumber simply means lumber which has been salvaged from a structure and re-used for other purposes, as apposed to being milled from trees. 'Old growth' trees are those which are beyond the age of biological maturity.

Such trees may be 200 years old or more. Since old growth redwood is such a desirable and increasingly rare species of wood, it is commonly salvaged; typically from water tanks, bridges, barns, and wine barrels. Interestingly, after years of exposure to water or wine, old growth redwood salvaged from water tanks and wine barrels often exhibits very enhanced grain color and texture; a characteristic which many customers find preferable to non-reclaimed lumber.

We can ship to most locations in the continental United States.

Gates will arrive via ground freight service from California Overnight or Yellow. Each gate will be enclosed in sheets of Styrofoam & cardboard, encased in a wooden frame, and fastened with nylon ship straps. Ship time is 2 to 4 days depending on customer location. We will email you routing information after your gate has shipped. Customers are responsible for providing access to the delivery truck and a drop-off location for the gate. Please be present when your gate is delivered.