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 Iroko 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.
