Walford Timber Gate Care

Timber is a natural product reacting to the weather conditions and aspect that they are in, particularly heat and humidity. Timber has a natural tolerance in terms of how much it can expand and contract before succumbing to warping and shrinkage. It is for this reason that we recommend you treat all our planed timber gates with a modern UV oil for planed timber such as Barrettine Protective Treatment (coloured oils only) or Barrettine UV Ultimate Protection Oil on a regular basis. The oil contains an active UV filter that preserves the colour of the wood. Any outdoor wood that is sealed with oil at least once every year will repel water. Oil also stops wood drying out unevenly, which can lead to warping. Gates will last longer and look better than wood that is simply left to the elements.

It is also quite common for small splits (shakes and checks) to occur during drying; this is nature at work and should not be considered a fault. However, the application of oil can considerably reduce the appearance of checks and shakes in the wood. It can also reduce warping. 

Our gates are made using slow grown kiln dried redwood timber. It is important to treat your untreated gates with a UV Oil, before hanging them out in the elements. This prevents moisture ingress, which can cause swelling, warping and degradation of the timber. Make sure that any cut outs and drill holes are also treated with preservative and oil. Always refer to manufacture instructions for full process of treatment.

Pressure Treatment

Pressure treatment protects the timber against wood rot and insect attack. These treatments do not provide all round protection against weathering. The elements and UV rays will slowly degrade the effectiveness of the pressure treatment.

Please ensure gates are thoroughly dry before re-oiling and to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Treatment Tips

• Make sure wood is clean, dry and frost-free
• Apply a preservative to all drill holes and cut outs. Make sure they are well treated as well and allow to dry.
• Apply modern UV Oil prior to fitting your gates to avoid moisture ingress (including the drill holes and cut outs).
• Use a flat brush or cloth to apply the oil. For the best results brush the oil along the grain following the length of the wood.
• Make sure you apply oil to the end grain and bottom of timbers well. These are most susceptible to absorbing water. Modern oil treatments allow the wood to breathe. You do not need to leave any part of the gate untreated. Apply two coats and allow to dry in between coats.
• Try your chosen oil/tinted oil before you start – try it on a scrap wood first.
• Treat each side of the gate in the same time period. Oiling one side of a gate and leaving it to dry before treating the other side puts your gate at risk of twisting or warping. This is because it will create an unequal surface tension within the timber. The non-oiled side will try and absorb moisture, which could cause movement within the timber.
• Brush out any runs or drips straight away.
• If your gate is in an area surrounded by trees, hedges etc it is only natural that surface mould may start to form on your gate. This is not damaging your gate. Nor is it a manufacturing fault. Sponge off with warm water and allow to dry before re applying a coat of oil.