Expert Joinery Advice in Preston

Professional Tips and Guidance

Create

Install

Maintain

Wondering how to keep your timber in a top condition at all times?

Here's an 8 point maintenance checklist from your very own joiner in Preston.

1. Keep it Clean

Regularly clean timber with a soft brush or cloth to remove dirt, dust, and debris.
For outdoor timber, use mild soapy water and a gentle scrub brush. Avoid high-pressure washers, as they can damage the surface.

2. Protect Against Moisture

Ensure timber is sealed with a waterproof coating to prevent moisture penetration.
Check for signs of water damage, such as swelling, discoloration, or soft spots, and address them promptly.

3. Apply Protective Coatings

Use wood stains, oils, or varnishes to enhance appearance and protect against UV rays, moisture, and insects.
For outdoor timber, apply a weather-resistant finish, such as a clear sealer or paint, at least once a year.

4. Inspect for Damage

Regularly inspect for cracks, splits, or rot, especially in outdoor or high-humidity environments.
Look for signs of pest infestation, such as holes, sawdust, or soft areas.

5. Prevent Sun Damage

For outdoor timber, use UV-blocking finishes to protect against sun bleaching.
Consider using shades or covers to minimize direct sunlight exposure.

6. All weather Maintenance

In colder climates, ensure timber is properly sealed to withstand freezing temperatures.
Remove snow or ice promptly from outdoor timber to prevent water damage as it melts.

7. Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Avoid using harsh cleaning agents that can strip finishes or weaken the wood.

8. Maintain Structural Integrity

For timber structures (like decks, fences, or beams), ensure connections and fasteners are secure and free from rust.

About Timber Movement

We would all love timber to keep it’s look and shape over the years but the truth is, unless looked after, it won’t. Timber moves as the moisture content changes within. This causes timber to shrink or expand & in some cases warp.

CAUSES:

When the air is humid, moisture is released from the timber and can cause shrinkage. On the other hand, during wetter months, the timber can absorb more moisture and expand. Hardwood timber (such as Iroko) is naturally denser than softwood and is therefore much less likely to expand or shrink compared to redwood.

However, some less dense hardwoods (such as Idigbo and Utile) do move more, so it is important to ask if you are unsure about timber species. Larch, which is prone to warping, is laminated to help prevent this (laminating is where 2 or 3 pieces of timber are glued together to make one piece, alternating the growth rings).

RISK:

For the majority of our customers, your gate (whether in hardwood or softwood) will always remain looking the same. Although the timber may be moving, you will not notice any change to the look or performance of your gate. The reason for this is the way your gate is constructed. In the case of tongue and groove-clad gates, first, pressure-treated gates have cladding fitted to the full face of the gates, allowing full freedom of movement. Secondly, durable timbers that don’t need pressure treatment (mainly hardwood) have grooves set within the frame where the cladding sits during the manufacturing process. It is extremely rare for any of our gates to suffer damage caused by expansion (such as warped cladding). There is considerable room for expansion within the grooves. It would be more likely to notice actual gaps between the cladding boards.

PREVENTION:

Looking after your gates is key to all of this. If your gates were manufactured with newly pressure-treated timber, please stain/paint them after 3 months but before 6 months. If your gates were made with durable softwood or hardwood, including Larch, Idigbo, Utile, and Iroko, please oil or stain them as soon as possible after fitting. If you’ve had your gates fitted by me with a stain/paint already applied, it would be wrong to think the gates will last with no annual maintenance. The best gates are restained or painted yearly, and I recommend doing this in Spring or Autumn. This will give the gates the protection they need to prevent expansion/shrinking and keep them looking like new! During this process, if the gate has any holes caused by knocks, simply use wood filler and treat them. This will prevent water from getting into damaged areas. I can quote for finishing, but I’ve noticed most people like to do this themselves.

WHAT TO DO IF SHRINKING/EXPANSION HAS HAPPENED:

It is not the end of the world! Your gate will be fine; you just need to give it some time. If the gate is showing visible gaps between the cladding (or shrinkage), you will need to wait for the boards to expand. If this happens during the summer, it may take until autumn for the timber to absorb enough moisture. Once it has done so, stain/paint the gates (with suitable outdoor wood protection). Allow 24 hours to dry and apply a second coat (unless otherwise stated, depending on the brand you have chosen).

My personal favourite, which is especially good value but also of good quality, is Ronseal 10-Year Wood Stain. Natural Oak or Dark Oak are the nearest colours to the pressure-treated brown I supply, with Natural Oak being the lighter of the two. However, any products suitable for gates from Ronseal, Dulux, Sadolin, Sikkens, Liberon, and other well-established brands will be fine. Please note: there are cheap quality oils, stains, and varnishes that don’t do what they claim. The price usually gives this away, so please double-check the suitability before purchasing. Also, decking stain or fence paint are not usually suitable for gates. UV protection is the main thing to look for.

If the gate has warped, we need to reduce the moisture level in the timber. You can leave the gates to do this naturally, or if within 2 years (90% of movement occurs within the first 2 years) of fitting, and if they’ve been treated correctly as advised but are still warped, please email me to remove the gates and place them in a dry, covered area. You may need to add additional screws/ring nails to pull the boards back in, but this must be done when the gate is close to its normal shape. Only then would I advise you to stain/paint the gates with two more coats of the protective finish already applied.

Please feel free to contact me via Facebook Messenger, email, or via the contact us box on this website.

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Expert Joinery Advice in Preston Professional Tips and Guidance

Create

Install

Maintain

Wondering how to keep your timber in a top condition at all times? Here's an 8 point maintenance checklist from your very own joiner in Preston.

1. Keep it Clean

Regularly clean timber with a soft brush or cloth to remove dirt, dust, and debris.

For outdoor timber, use mild soapy water and a gentle scrub brush. Avoid high-pressure washers, as they can damage the surface.

2. Protect Against Moisture

Ensure timber is sealed with a waterproof coating to prevent moisture penetration.

Check for signs of water damage, such as swelling, discoloration, or soft spots, and address them promptly.

3. Apply Protective Coatings

Use wood stains, oils, or varnishes to enhance appearance and protect against UV rays, moisture, and insects.

For outdoor timber, apply a weather-resistant finish, such as a clear sealer or paint, at least once a year.

4. Inspect for Damage

Regularly inspect for cracks, splits, or rot, especially in outdoor or high-humidity environments.

Look for signs of pest infestation, such as holes, sawdust, or soft areas.

5. Prevent Sun Damage

For outdoor timber, use UV-blocking finishes to protect against sun bleaching.

Consider using shades or covers to minimize direct sunlight exposure.

6. All weather Maintenance

In colder climates, ensure timber is properly sealed to withstand freezing temperatures.

Remove snow or ice promptly from outdoor timber to prevent water damage as it melts.