Fencing can be made of wood or metal, both of which are commonly available at home improvement centers. Or they can be built from less traditional materials, such as bamboo or fiberglass paneling, or by combining materials such as wood and wire. They may be either solid or open.

You can build a simple gate from the same materials as your fence, have one custom made, or buy an easy-to-assemble gate kit through a home improvement center, online shop, or catalog. If your budget is somewhat limited, consider using inexpensive fencing materials and focusing your funds on an eye-catching gate.

To prevent an entry gate from appearing overbearing, allow for at least a peek at the property beyond—either the front entryway or an intriguing landscape feature.

Wood, the most popular fence and gate material, comes in many forms, from basic dimension lumber to rustic split rails. Common and widely available choices are classic pickets, precut fence boards, and preassembled (and often preprimed) fence sections that include rails.

For posts or any part that will touch the ground, be sure to choose wood that has been pressure-treated with preservative, or choose a decay-resistant species such as cedar or redwood heartwood.

When building a fence, avoid wood with defects such as splitting, warping, or open knots that might compromise the fence’s structure. The idea is to select the best quality and grade for the job without spending unnecessarily for top grades.

Exposed elements of your fence or gate should be coated with a paint, stain, or wood preservative to protect them from weathering—and this coating will often hide a multitude of sins.

Metal can be an attractive, durable option for fencing. If you choose metal, apply both an appropriate primer and a rust-resistant topcoat. Of course, metal isn’t generally a do-it-yourself option; you will need to hire a professional metal worker who can shape and weld individual metal parts or prefabricated fence sections.

Though traditional lumber and metal are the most popular materials for fences and gates, you do have other options. If low maintenance is a high priority, consider vinyl or composite fencing, sold in preassembled panels that mimic wood fencing.

These materials are rust-proof and come in neutral colors that never need to be touched up with a coat of paint. Chain-link fencing is another option; it might seem stark at first, but when dressed up with climbing roses or other dense vines, it can look quite becoming. Shingles, lattice, and plywood panels are also viable alternatives.