Types of wood to choose from for your electric gate
Wooden Gates
In simple terms, you have a choice of hard wood or soft wood. Hard wood lasts longer, but depending upon weather conditions, location and finish a softwood gate should be good for 10 years.
For hardwood we normally specify iroko. If untreated (no coating ) the wood weathers into a pleasant silvery hue. Some coatings, or treatments, offer a clear varnish that helps the wood retain its original colouring, and some colour the wood like a stain.
The gate posts would normally be of oak, 200mm x 200mm square with a rounded top or what is called four-way weathered which creates a small pyramid to the top. Oak has a tendency to crack (known as shakes or splits) but these are normal behaviour and do not detract from its strength. However, shaking and splitting can be problematical if oak is used for the gate itself, could be unsightly.
Softwood could be Siberian Larch, or pine. Depending on which wood, it can frequently be full of knots which can be viewed as adding an attractive character, or painted over to conceal them.
