Hardwood Iroko can be left untreated. It will eventually change to a silver-grey colour.
If you wish to preserve the timber's more natural colour and help keep your gate in good condition, treat it twice a year with good quality UV wood oil. Other wood oils, such as Teak oil, can also help. Use a lint-free cloth or natural bristle brush to apply the oil evenly all over the gate, following the grain. Carefully treat all surfaces with your chosen oil, particularly the bottom, all end grain, and any holes, etc., for gate hardware.
Cheap fence and shed treatments are NOT suitable for treating Henfield gates.
The gates should be checked at least twice annually and reoiled if necessary. Put a drop of water on the gate surface. If it beads into a droplet, then the gate is fine. If the water soaks in or spreads out, then the gate requires oiling.
All wooden gates are susceptible to natural movement or shaking (cracks in the timber) as the wood expands and contracts during the normal weathering process. This is not considered a defect unless very severe.
