--- title: "prowell woodworks, inc — Fencing & Gate Sales & Construction | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/fencing-and-gate-sales-and-construction/prowell-woodworks-inc-pfvwus-pf~438518818 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~438518818.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "prowell woodworks, inc" category: ["Fencing & Gate Sales & Construction"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/e3938d2709550635_1932-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "PO Box 785, Sebastopol, California 95473, United States" latitude: 38.4022 longitude: -122.8227 phone: "(800) 466-1850" website: http://www.prowellwoodworks.com rating: 5 review_count: 14 best_of_houzz_awards: 3 followers: 27 last_updated: 2026-08-13 --- # prowell woodworks, inc Original Houzz profile: [prowell woodworks, inc](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/fencing-and-gate-sales-and-construction/prowell-woodworks-inc-pfvwus-pf~438518818) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Fencing & Gate Sales & Construction - **Location:** Sebastopol, CA - **Serves:** Nationally - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (14 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2018–2021), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 500 Ideabook Saves - Family owned - Free consultation - 49 years in business Founded in San Francisco in 1977. Landscape Furnishings Products. Establishing the benchmark for flush-joined exterior assemblies. From the extensive scope of revitalizing an entire site with a full medley of over 650 original signature product designs, to the more contained improvements of a single order for a single product that can in itself create the precedent of a site's identity. Product genres are original designs, consisting of 140+ garden gate styles; 40+ garden fence panel styles; 16 various lighted garden column styles; 36 driveway gate styles; 28 arbor/pergola styles; 21 benches and porch swing styles; the signature prowell post cap, and so much more. A business is in many ways a toy. Founded in 1977 in San Francisco as a template for the ensuing decades that encouraged innovations in both methodology and design and the gamble of what may, or may not, resonate with our ultimate audience. The offered designs and product identities are liquid and forever changing. New genres where no such genre previously existed, and existing genres elevated to a new and deserved focus. All of it as a means of staying absorbed over the decades until one day, well into our 90's, a life well-lived will come to an end on a pile of soft and accepting sawdust. ### Services Provided - Fence Sales - Gate Sales - Trellis Construction ### Areas Served - Nationally ### Typical Job Cost $2,000 - 40,000 Every product on the web site is linked to a base price table, with sliding scale percentages attributed to each product as per the complexity of the design. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | prowell woodworks, inc | | Address | PO Box 785, Sebastopol, California 95473, United States | | Phone | (800) 466-1850 | | Website | http://www.prowellwoodworks.com | | Followers on Houzz | 27 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [prowell woodworks, inc](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/fencing-and-gate-sales-and-construction/prowell-woodworks-inc-pfvwus-pf~438518818) - **Website:** http://www.prowellwoodworks.com - **Phone:** (800) 466-1850 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2018–2021), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 14 reviews** ### Reviews **★★★★★ — abatya, Feb. 2020** > I ordered my gate and arbor from a picture on the Prowell website without actually seeing real photos of my items. They exceeded my imagination! The whole neighborhood has stopped by to complement > how nice the project turned out. Charles and Ben were really helpful too because the gate posts were being built before the gate arrived- so the carpenter had questions on exact dimensions which were answered. Check-out the Prowell website for photos of my completed gate and arbor. **★★★★★ — Joanne Huie, Feb. 2020** > Prowell Woodworks is a business providing quality craftsmanship & artistry at a fair price. Mr. Prowell has made 2 outstanding Craftsman style cedar gates for my house ... putting his heart & soul into each piece. The quality is evident, as he uses clear vertical grain cedar that does not rot, considers the placement of the grain in the design & uses MORTISE & TENON joinery (so strong!). The workmanship is perfection - smooth & beautifully fitted. I recently brought one of my gates in for a repair and overall it is in good condition having lasted over 16 years so far! The gates truly add a special touch to my otherwise ordinary ranch style home. **★★★★★ — O'Connell Landscape, Jan. 2020** > We have used Charles and Ben at Prowell Woodworks for garden gates in many of our landscape projects. When quality is needed Prowell is our first choice! **★★★★★ — kathleencoss, Sept. 2018** > The good folks at Prowell worked with me to design and build a gorgeous custom gate. > Based on one of their layouts we tweaked and adjusted the configuration to create a stunning entry for my client’s garden. > From start to finish it was a pleasure working with Charles Prowell. His good humor and spirit were appreciated as I requested adjustments to small details. > I look forward to working with Prowell again and highly recommend them for your project. > Kathleen Coss Landscape Design, Carmel Ca **★★★★★ — Jennifer W, April 2018** > I had been searching for weeks for the right contractor to build a gate. I knew exactly what I wanted and after meeting with several general contractors and fencing contractors, I found Prowell Woodworks. > The team was exactly what I was looking for, I got the exact custom gate I had wanted and was put in contact with a contractor who was experienced with installing gates. > I couldn't be happier and have a beautiful gate! **★★★★★ — Mike Kennedy, April 2018** > If you are looking for the very best in a garden gate, look no further! Charles and Ben Prowell are the consummate craftsmen and total professionals. From the first contact with Charles to delivery of my two gates, everything was handled smoothly, accurately, on time and as promised. The design process was thorough and once completed, production was on time. I wasn’t sure how the gates would be packed safely for shipping, but they were packed perfectly and arrived exactly as they were when they left the shop. This is one business you can count on 100%. I am totally pleased and recommend Prowell Woodworks without reservation. **★★★★★ — Adam Skipper, Jan. 2018** > After googling the internet for garden gates, my wife and i came across the perfect garden gate. Prowell Woodworks was the maker, and I soon realized that this isn't an off the shelf gate. Not only is it custom made, it is hand made and it takes a few months because of that. Charles communicated through the entire process (very responsive) and sent photos after they completed the gate. We were so excited to receive it because the photos were beautiful. They sent it via UPS freight and the hardware, which was stunning, was sent separately. We opened the box and the pictures didn't do it justice. Once installed, magnificent. We now get compliments every time someone see's the gate. I am so happy I found Prowell Woodworks. I look forward to many hours in our new garden, highlighted by this wonderful handmade gate. Charles will be the first person I call for the next project involving wood and beauty. **★★★★★ — Michael Brownell, Nov. 2017** > These folks built a super high quality gate for me. Excellent wood quality. Joints tight. All dimensions exact, everywhere. Beautiful radius lines (hard to do!). Gate is great shape 5+ years later, in hot, humid FL. Highly recommend Prowell Woodworks. **★★★★★ — Robert Nissenbaum, Oct. 2017** > Prowell Woodworks built two gates and two trellises for my home landscape 15 years ago. They all turned out wonderfully and held up exceptionally well over the years. Mr. Prowell was a pleasure to work with. **★★★★★ — bob.monsour@gmail.com Monsour, Oct. 2017** > We worked with Charles and his son on two projects at our home in San Rafael, CA. The photo is of the 2013 project. Charles was wonderful to work with and we enjoyed his creativity as well as his (and his son's) excellent craftsmanship. **★★★★★ — User, Sept. 2017** > Powell Woodworks helped me create an amazing outdoor living space. I was lucky enough to become aware of Charles through a friend, spent hours pouring through his website, and thoroughly enjoying his witty prose. After contacting Charles, we spent months developing this space. I sent photos of the blank canvas, Charles sent ideas, and we came up with this beautiful design. There was no issue with the fact that Charles was in California and I am in Metro Detroit. He communicated with my builder, shipped all the parts very well packed, nothing was damaged and everything came together perfectly. I so enjoyed working with Charles Prowell, we've become sincere friends throughout the years and how often can you say that? I couldn't give a higher recommendation. **★★★★★ — Sharon, Sept. 2017** > We worked with Prowell Woodworks for a front entry gate. We do not live in the area where Prowell Woodworks is located, and did everything with them long distance. When completed they shipped the materials and instructions to us, and we installed the fence/gate on our end. Prowell Woodworks spent as much time as was needed in helping us to select the materials, the design, and to make sure we had all the information we needed to install the finished product. A wonderful experience, and the fencing/gate add a tremendous amount to the entry to our property! ## Selected projects - [La Quinta, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/la-quinta-ca-pj-vj~5945448) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: In corroboration with Andrew Shaffner/ Danielian Assoc. Designing a series of shutters and oversized gates for the desert makeover. - [Garden Gate \#217 (The \#200 Series)](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/garden-gate-217-the-200-series-pj-vj~5992130) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - Description: A series of Unique Wood Garden Gates - [Berkeley Hills](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/berkeley-hills-pj-vj~5984327) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - Description: When the homeowner is a noted landscape architect with a polished eye, the Prowells relax . . . relishing in the roles of mere subservients. Collaborators, at best. Fence style \#7 and Garden Entry Gate \#101 feature tight grids of approximately 2-⅞" square throughout. Grid dividers at 2-¼" widths. All joinery, of course. No screws, nails, or metal fasteners. - [Fence Style \#22](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fence-style-22-pj-vj~2575843) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: Fence style \#22 from Hawaii to Mendocino. - [Palo Alto, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-ca-pj-vj~2636942) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: The photograph invites us into believing our patron, Dolores, has just returned from the local market, wheeling her bike through the garden gates and onto the new patio where she pauses to unlace her bonnet and from the basket grab her fresh beans and rhubarb and skips into the kitchen whistling something or another, her mind occupied by dinner, by what she can work up with a little of this n' that as the neighbors begin wandering toward that patio, nonchalantly, lead by the anticipation of some… - [Dana Point,CA.](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dana-point-ca-pj-vj~5991458) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - Description: Creating the entry as a beach-front invitation. Gate style \#2 with flanking panels and the overhead arbor Style \#9 - [Austin, TX](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/austin-tx-pj-vj~2635098) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - Description: A collection of Benches and Swings scattered around the country. - [Detroit, MI](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/detroit-mi-pj-vj~2577960) - Location: Pleasant Ridge, MI - Photos: 14 - Description: Designing a series of signature fence panel railings, arching trusses, and lighted garden Columns for this 1915 Gilded Age bungalow with good bones. Others who worked on this project: Ambient Construction - [Gilroy, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gilroy-ca-pj-vj~2636602) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - Description: Gate style \#78 with the Speakeasy arched portal. - [Carmel, CA. With Color.](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/carmel-ca-with-color-pj-vj~2602299) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: Garden Gate style \#4 where Cade Cod Blue serves up an interesting contrast to the surrounding landscape & architecture. - [Boise, Idaho](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/boise-idaho-pj-vj~2573824) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - Description: Some 87+ panels marking the perimeter of this home in the Warm Springs neighborhood of Boise. Enough panels to prompt a site visit. Fence Panel style \#15 - [Reno, NV](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/reno-nv-pj-vj~2573863) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: Reno comes of age. 3/4 acre lots in a gated community on the east edge of the 'new' Reno. Fence and Railing \#21 by gate style \#27. The posts carrying the house body color as a means of associating the railings more to the architecture than the landscape. - [Georgetown, Washington DC](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/georgetown-washington-dc-pj-vj~2573733) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: Gate style \#51 completing a courtyard renovation in the style of 1930's Berlin - [Santa Barbara Beachfront](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/santa-barbara-beachfront-pj-vj~2729582) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: Among the \#200 Series, our gate style \#200A is essentially Prowell in a state of disorder. Modified from our gate style \#200 in collaboration with Carl Schneider, AIA, NCARB -- CSA Architects-- Mitch Williams Construction - [Mill Valley, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mill-valley-ca-pj-vj~2769050) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: Garden Gate style \#115 began like almost all of the products: A speculative prototype built without drawings or sketches. Culling from within Charles' mental imagery reservoir toward a result that sometimes resonates with the audience, and sometimes doesn't. The \#115 has gone on to enjoy 7 or 8 commissions since the original prototype in early 2014. Serving to feed the growing requests from the 'horizontal hipsters' scattered everywhere. - [Petaluma, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/petaluma-ca-pj-vj~2841945) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: Stepped Fence Style \#1 - [Woodside, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/woodside-ca-pj-vj~2873680) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 5 - Description: Arbor style \#30 originated with this commission in the hills west of Silicone Valley. Beveled glass inserts with a south-facing exposure that refracts the afternoon light through the glass front entry and across the maple wood floors with a kaleidoscope of prismatic color that lasts about 10 minutes. - [Bellport, New York](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bellport-new-york-pj-vj~3957166) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - Description: Wood Garden Gate \#2 - [Sonoma, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sonoma-ca-pj-vj~5354633) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - Description: Courtyard Gate style \#99 and Fence style \#3 - [San Diego, CA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/san-diego-ca-pj-vj~5808977) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: Garden Gates Style \#23 [See all 66 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/fencing-and-gate-sales-and-construction/prowell-woodworks-inc-pfvwus-pf~438518818) ## Community Q&A **Q: how tall is the wall/gate? Thanks** *(in Photo Questions)* Wondering gate height. Thanks A: The gate is 60" ht from grade and weighs about 55 lbs. 1-5/8" thickness **Q: Awesome look! What is the dimension of each square in the lattice?** *(in Photo Questions)* I love the look and the feel of the fence, just want to know what is the dimension of each fence panel and each square on the lattice? thanks! A: These are our Fence Panel style \#19. The widths varied from 36" to 58", The heights varied from 42" for the railings and 68" for the patio wrap panels. The \#19 features flush-joined open grids from 8"-12" square, calculated off the net panel width for full grids horizontally, and remainder grids vertically--see at the bottom rows. <http://www.prowellwoodworks.com/fences/19\_fence.htm> **Q: Cedar garage door** *(in Garages/Workshops)* We are building and we are planning on using a lot of cedar for our exterior material. I would love to have a cedar garage door. How do you recommend matching the garage door to the rest of the cedar on my house? Does anyone know of any companies that can help me do this? Photo attached. A: If you happen to have any samples of the finish on the house, you can send that cedar sample along with a couple of short unfinished cedar planks to manufacturers such as WoodRX in Ft Meyer's, FL. They will make every attempt to match. **Q: End-grain sealer for outdoor cedar lumber?** *(in Woodworking)* We are replacing many boards on our outdoor deck, which is cedar. Of course the area that starts rotting first is from the cut ends. It’s a 25 year old deck but we just replace boards piecemeal as the ends get soft. I remember seeing somewhere about standing the ends in a bucket of some kind of sealer so it soaks into the pores. But I don’t know what kind of sealer or for how long. We like the natural grey color cedar turns, so have no interest in doing any surface staining for color... just rot resistance. Can anyone tell me more? Thanks! A: Standing the boards on end in a bucket of sealer is not unheard of, but in doing so you're also sealing much more than just the end grain. You sealing whatever length of the face grain that is submerged, which means it will age to a different patina, or if you're planning on applying a finish, the finishes will not absorb wherever there is a previous seal. Dipping boards in sealer is more common with fence posts, since several feet of the board are buried below grade. You're better off simply brushing Anchor Seal onto the end grains generously. It'll improve the lifeline of your deck boards exponentially. **Q: How to protect outdoor wood, keeping slightly weathered look?** *(in Woodworking)* Hi all, I need your advice. How and with what type of product should I treat the acacia wood of my 18 year old Ikea table to prevent water from penetrating the wood while keeping the current driftwood look? (I do not want to restore the original orangey-brown.) I believe the wood is basically in good condition, feels smooth to the touch with no rotting anywhere and the slats are not splitting or twisting. Until now the table has lived on a covered balcony, but is now exposed to more rain and some sun on our patio. The table is shaded by a sun-sail as well as trees, but during windy Chicago rainstorms it will get drenched nonetheless. During summer this table will get daily use - breakfast, and dinner (as long as weather and mosquitoes permit), so will only be under a protective cover for the worst downpours. It'll spend winter dis-assembled in our basement. A: It should be noted that we've never used the regular Semi-Transparent product. Only the Ultra. In speaking with Michael at WoodRX directly years ago when we first went over to this, he convinced me that the Ultra is the formula that's best for areas with tough winters. If you do use the Regular, let us know how it turned out. The Ultra is the best exterior finish on the market, in our opinion, so given our trust in them, perhaps the Regular Semi-Transparent is of equal merit. **Q: Did Dh and I screw up our brand new picket fence? Please advise.** *(in Woodworking)* Hi. I put this question in another forum, but I think it should actually belong here. Dh and I put up an adorable small cedar wood picket fence. We were going to paint it white, but we loved the natural look of the cedar so we were just going to keep it as it is. We went and bought Thompson's water sealer in clear and applied it to the entire fence last night. We thought that was what you had to do to keep the fence from turning grey. Well, we found out online after the fact (of course) that cedar fences will still turn grey, even though the Home Depot guy assured me, after I pressed him on that issue. It was the only issue I cared about, and he said this will prevent it from turning grey. Now we know it will turn grey unless we do maintenance on it every 6 months etc and that is not something Dh and I want to assign ourselves to. So we decided to go back to the original idea of painting the fence white. Only now we read online someone saying that Thompson's water sealer is the worst thing you can put on a fence before painting, and that we will have to sand all of it off! That makes no sense to me. Aren't you supposed to protect the wood first, before you paint it? We live in NY and have harsh winters, I don't know how long the wood would hold up without some protection. We did use pressure treated wood, fwiw. Thompson's has said that of course people can paint after using their sealer, that if people put too much on then they would have to remove the excess, but if it's applied correctly (which we did) then by all means paint, using an oil based paint. I wish we could have left our fence natural, but if we can't, I don't want our paint coming off because of the sealer. I guess it has to do with the cedar's oil coming out. Can anyone advise? Dh and I have never worked with wood before, so we are complete novices. I'd be grateful for any tips or advice. Thanks. A: I've never been a fan of exterior poly's. Anything basically that doesn't penetrate will ultimately, if ignored, check and crack and flake. It requires a level of TLC maintenance reserved for wood boat enthusiasts. But then having such a boat, worthy of that attention, would be sooo much fun. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-13.*