BK Timber specialises in providing garden and driveway gates for customers across Staffordshire and Cheshire, but we also get plenty of enquiries from agricultural households looking for farm-style gates.
Like any other timber gates, agricultural gates need proper maintenance to ensure they last for years.
Here are some great maintenance tips from our team of timber specialists.
There are plenty of stains and treatments to choose from that will protect the look of your gates. Applications of most staining are quite simple and will create the perfect finish to help maintain their look.
What about Gates that are already stained?
First get 2 brushes and a decorators sponge, using the smaller brush to apply the stain between the cladding and around the inside of the frame. Now use the larger brush to apply the stain on and while it is still wet, use the sponge to remove ‘brush’ marks. Please note, it is important to pay particular attention to small areas and apply the stain to protect areas where water could get in.
What about unstained gates?
BK Timber recommends staining the gate indoors before hanging, using 2 coats and allowing a 24 hour drying period between coats. All of the gates need to be protected and one area often forgotten is the bottom edge. Start by using a small brush for the cladding gaps inside frame edge and bottom then use the larger brush then run decorators sponge down to remove ‘brush’ marks and create a smooth finish whilst the stain is still wet. Don’t forget to make sure the gate is fully dried before applying any other coats.
Should I Be Concerned about Holes Drilled in the Gate?
This usually happens if the position of the hinge or latch is altered, and although this may not look like a possible problem it could create an area for water to enter. Try filling the hole with wood filler, allow to dry then lightly sand the filler until it’s smooth then stain the area over until it blends in with the gate.
What About Gate Movement?
Wooden gates are manufactured in a way to allow a certain degree of movement in the gate without you even noticing. In some cases, gates will move too much and the frame could start to bow, although the frame will never give way as every frame has a mortice, tenon and dowel joint built-in. This takes place because water has entered the gate from either an area without stain or a hole in the gate.
To fix this, you can either wait for the gates to dry and once it has returned to its original shape re-stain it. Then you will need to check for holes or remove the gates and place inside and once it has gone back to its original shape, re-stain. The drying period can vary from one to four weeks, depending on temperature.
What about Mould on My Gates?
If your gate is positioned in an area surrounded by trees or hedges, it is a natural occurrence for mould to form on your gate. This will not damage your gate in any way and is easily removed by sponging it off with warm water. The majority of stains on the market will be UV-protected but will not prevent mould. If mould has started to form under the stain, it could mean sanding down the area and restaining.
If you have got any more questions about maintaining your wooden gates, please get in touch with BK Timber.
