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Investing in good quality wooden or metal gates is an investment in your property. Looking after them properly will ensure they continue to look great and last for years to come, adding quality and value to your home. Just a little regular maintenance will help gates through cold winters, hot summers and prevent the signs of aging.
Wooden Gates
All of our wooden gates are made with pressure treated timber, so you won’t need to stain or treat the wood to prevent rot, but an annual stain to inhibit weathering will prevent the colour being affected by the sun or rain. A clear preservative paint can be used or you can choose one of the many colours available on the market to make your fence as colourful as your flowerbed!
The nature of wood means that it shrinks and swells with changes in temperature and moisture, so sometimes cracks can appear in the grain. This isn’t a problem and only gives the timber more character, pressure treated timber is less likely to be affected and an annual treatment will also slow down the likelihood of cracks. Use a damp cloth to wipe away any dirt, moss or mould to stop it growing on the gate and affecting the wood.
Metal Gates
Wrought iron gates are a popular choice because they need very little upkeep, but without any upkeep rust can set in, which is frustrating to treat. Keeping metal clean is the easiest way to prevent any build up; wipe away any dirt or moss, and be careful not so spill any garden chemicals such as weed killer or lawn feed on the surface. If your gate needs cleaning, do not use a pressure washer, just use a sponge and mild detergent such as washing up liquid. If your gate has a rust problem, sand away rust with a wire sponge or take it to a professional to be sand blasted. Once clear of rust and dry, paint it with good quality metal paint. Never paint over rust – it will only cover up the problem!
Hinges
No matter what your gate is made of or whether it’s a small garden gate or a wide driveway gate, the hinges will take most of the wear and tear. Almost all hinges have a grease joint (zirk fitting) that needs an annual check up to keep your gate squeak free and prevent sagging. Use a standard grease gun and a tube of heavy grease to lubricate the joint, if your gate has a hinge pin, the zirk fitting is at the bottom, just pump some grease into in until you see it come out around the pin. If your gate has a flange bearing, there is probably a plastic cap over the zirk fitting – pump some grease around the gimbaled joint and over the plastic cap.
If you're after a new gate we can advise you on the best type for your property and carry out any maintenance you need. All of our gates are hand-built, bespoke for you so we can accommodate any requests. For a free, no obligation quote call 07947 366551 or email info@npfencing.co.uk
