Material
Timber electric gates, engineered so the wood behaves
Timber gates bring warmth and privacy no metal matches, but wood moves with the seasons — so automating timber well means engineering for that movement. We build solid hardwood gates in iroko, oak and Accoya, and steel-framed timber-clad gates that remove movement altogether. Automated timber pairs run £7,500–£14,000 installed.
The honest physics: why timber gates drop, twist and stick
Wood is hygroscopic — it swells across the grain in wet winters and shrinks in dry summers, by several millimetres across a wide boarded leaf. On a manual gate you barely notice; on an automated gate, a leaf that's 4mm tighter in January changes the force the motor needs and can push it past its safety limit. Unmanaged, this is why cheap automated timber gates reverse mysteriously every winter. The engineering answers:
- Species choice. Iroko and Accoya are exceptionally stable; oak is beautiful but lively and needs generous clearances; softwood boarded gates are for manual use only, in our view.
- Frame joinery — proper mortise-and-tenon frames with boards fixed to float, not glued rigid.
- Clearance design — gaps sized for the wet-season dimension, not the showroom one.
- Force headroom — motors specified with seasonal margin while staying inside BS EN 12453 limits.
Solid hardwood vs steel-framed timber
| Factor | Solid hardwood | Steel-framed timber |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Joinery-built solid timber | Welded steel frame, timber cladding both faces |
| Seasonal movement | Managed, never eliminated | Effectively eliminated — frame holds geometry |
| Automation behaviour | Needs seasonal force margin | Behaves like a metal gate |
| Appearance | Timber through-and-through, edges included | Timber faces; frame edges visible on close inspection |
| Longevity | 20–30 yrs well maintained | 30+ yrs; cladding replaceable independently |
| Cost (automated pair) | £7,500 – £11,000 | £9,500 – £14,000 |
Our default recommendation for automated gates over 3.5m, or fully boarded privacy gates, is steel-framed — the premium buys away every seasonal service call. Solid hardwood remains right for period joinery looks and five-bar estate styles.
Finishing and the maintenance contract you're really signing
Choose the finish knowing its renewal cycle: penetrating oils (every 12–18 months, easy DIY refresh, ages gracefully), translucent woodstains (2–4 years, more colour control), or opaque paint systems (4–6 years, but failures show badly). Or choose none — iroko and oak silver beautifully if left, losing only colour, not strength. What kills timber gates isn't weather but detailing: end grain left unsealed at the bottom rail, and boards trapped tight so water sits in joints. Ours are detailed against both, and every quote states the honest maintenance schedule for the finish you pick.
Free site survey & fixed quotation
Get a precise price for timber gates
Tell us the opening width, whether power is nearby and the style you have in mind. We measure on site, confirm a fixed price in writing, and never sell door-to-door.
Prefer to talk? Call 01483 000 000.
Frequently asked questions
Can timber gates really be automated reliably?
Yes — with stable species or a steel frame, correct clearances and seasonal force margins. The reputation for trouble comes from softwood boarded gates automated with no allowance for movement.
Which timber is best for electric gates?
Accoya for outright stability, iroko for the best stability-to-cost ratio, oak for period looks accepting more movement. We advise against softwood for any automated leaf.
How often will I need to re-finish timber gates?
Oiled finishes every 12–18 months, stains every 2–4 years, paint every 4–6. Or let iroko/oak silver naturally and simply wash them — a legitimate low-maintenance path.
Do timber gates work with underground motors?
Yes, and it's often the best pairing visually. The hinge-side stile carries the drive fitting, so we build that stile with the fixings engineered in from fabrication.