How To Maintain Your Wooden Gate
- by Phil Barratt
- •
- 21 Jun, 2023
Thanks to their combination of strength and beauty, wooden gates are a common sight all around the world. It’s only natural to want to enjoy their benefits for as long as possible, and proper maintenance is key to doing just that.
Wooden Gate Makers are the UK’s first choice for custom-made wooden gates. We handcraft our pieces using premium wood and traditional joinery techniques, resulting in a breathtaking gate that will enhance your property for decades to come.
Our complete guide has everything you need to know about maintaining your wooden gate, from how to tell when your gate needs maintenance to the steps you need to take. Let’s get started!
Wooden Gate Makers are the UK’s first choice for custom-made wooden gates. We handcraft our pieces using premium wood and traditional joinery techniques, resulting in a breathtaking gate that will enhance your property for decades to come.
Our complete guide has everything you need to know about maintaining your wooden gate, from how to tell when your gate needs maintenance to the steps you need to take. Let’s get started!
How to Tell if Your Wooden Gate Needs Maintenance
- Physical damage, like cracks, splits, or warping in the wood Stiff movement when opening or closing your gate Loose or rusted hinges, latches, bolts, and screws
- Rotting or decayed wood
- Woodworm or wood-boring insect damage
- Faded or peeling finish
Key Steps to Maintaining Your Wooden Gate
Maintaining your gate is actually quite simple! Just follow these steps to keep your gate looking and working its best.
Clean Your Wooden Gate
Cleaning your wooden gate will prevent a buildup of dirt and leave it looking sparkling.
You won’t have to scrub hard to get your gate clean - wiping down the surface with a soft brush or cloth will usually be enough. If needed, you can also use mild soap and water for tougher stains. To remove tougher stains and stubborn moss or lichen, use a power washer.
Rinse thoroughly and allow the gate to dry completely before proceeding with other maintenance tasks.
You won’t have to scrub hard to get your gate clean - wiping down the surface with a soft brush or cloth will usually be enough. If needed, you can also use mild soap and water for tougher stains. To remove tougher stains and stubborn moss or lichen, use a power washer.
Rinse thoroughly and allow the gate to dry completely before proceeding with other maintenance tasks.
Prevent Rusting on Gate Hinges
Like most metal objects, gate hinges can rust when they come into contact with water and oxygen. Aside from being an eyesore, rust can weaken your hinges over time, so it’s important to prevent it wherever possible.
Luckily, preventing rust is easy - just apply a coat of wax or sealant to the metal, and reapply when needed. You can also use paint to create a strong barrier that protects against rust and adds a pop of colour to your gate.
If you see that your hinges are completely rusted and can't be fixed, it's best to have them replaced. It’s usually an inexpensive process, so don’t worry about it setting you back too much.
Luckily, preventing rust is easy - just apply a coat of wax or sealant to the metal, and reapply when needed. You can also use paint to create a strong barrier that protects against rust and adds a pop of colour to your gate.
If you see that your hinges are completely rusted and can't be fixed, it's best to have them replaced. It’s usually an inexpensive process, so don’t worry about it setting you back too much.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Unlubricated moving parts can generate too much friction when being moved, weakening them and reducing your gate’s lifespan. Listen out for a squeaking sound - that’s a good indicator your gate’s hardware is in need of lubrication.
Choose a suitable lubricant like a silicone-based spray or light oil, and coat the hinges, latches, and other moving parts of the gate regularly to guarantee smooth operation.
Choose a suitable lubricant like a silicone-based spray or light oil, and coat the hinges, latches, and other moving parts of the gate regularly to guarantee smooth operation.
Repair or Replace Damaged Parts
Cracked boards, loose hinges, or broken latches can seriously compromise the security of your gate, so it's important to fix them quickly. Arrange to have the damaged parts repaired or replaced to keep your gate in good working condition.
Refinish or Repaint
If the gate has a protective finish that’s faded, cracked, or peeling, consider refinishing or repainting it. Sand the surface lightly to remove old finish or loose paint, and then apply a fresh coat of stain or varnish. This helps protect the wood from UV rays and enhances its appearance.
How and When to Treat Your Wooden Gate
Of course, prevention is always better than the cure. You can protect your gate from weathering, UV damage, and other environmental factors by applying a waterproof sealant or wood preservative soon after installation.
By applying a protective treatment, you’ll extend the lifespan of your gate and spare yourself from extra maintenance in the future.
- After cleaning your gate and removing the old preservative, it's a good idea to test the protective treatment on a small, hidden area first. This way, you can make sure you're happy with the end result before applying it to the entire gate.
- Once you’re ready to go ahead, use a brush, roller, or sprayer to apply the protective treatment to the gate. Start from the top and work your way down, taking care to apply an even coverage. Pay extra attention to areas prone to moisture, such as the bottom of the gate and joints.
- Allow the gate to dry and cure in a well-ventilated area. Avoid contact with moisture until the treatment is fully cured.
By applying a protective treatment, you’ll extend the lifespan of your gate and spare yourself from extra maintenance in the future.
Enhance Your Home With a Handcrafted Wooden Gate From Wooden Gate Makers
Thinking about upgrading your garden with a new wooden gate? You've come to the right place.
For over two decades, Wooden Gate Makers have been crafting stunningly hand-finished gates
and garage doors. We put the quality of our results at our core, and never send out a gate we wouldn’t install in our own homes. It's this commitment that’s earned us the trust of property owners throughout the UK - take a look at our 500+ 5-star reviews
on Checkatrade to see for yourself!
To get started, you can get a quote online
or give us a call on01202 670770. Our friendly team
is more than happy to answer any questions you may have and offer recommendations on styles that will complement your property, so don't hesitate to reach out to us today!
Mrs Phillips of Poole, Dorset recently got in touch with the Wooden Gate Makers team looking to have a new double gate made for her garden.
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