Oak Gate

[thallow]

Evening all
SWMBO has asked that I make a new front gate for our old rusty thing that we currently call a gate

I am doing a bit of forward planning in case it is a wet weekend and I cannot work on my rotten sill (see other thread!)

I have plenty of Oak which I can use, my question is:

will this last if I do not treat it in any way, (I want something low maintenance) it will be a small front gate hung from the side so my theory is that if it gets wet it is not touching the floor or anything else so it will always dry out, how long would oak last if used in this way

Alternatively I could buy some softwood and build the same style gate but then paint it with the same F&B paint that I am using on the sash windows.

Thirdly I figure to make it out of oak and then paint it would be a bit pointless?

Yours thoughts as always greatly appreciated ;D

[jfc]

Oak and rub some linseed oil into it , very quick to do .

[thallow]

is linseed oil similar in properties to danish oil?

[dirtydeeds]

if you have a choice english or european oak is more duarble than white oak

for all that white oak wont fall apart and it will last far longer than softwood, painted or not

oak is durable even if you dont finish it, it weathers to a wonderful grey

[engineerone]

oak outside furniture looks really good when naturally weathered.

the important thing is to design rain drop off, in from the beginning.

personally, i think any one who paints oak has more money than sense.

paul

[thatsnotafestool]

only apply linseed oil if you like doing it year in, year out.

Let it weather naturally.

Take a look at any traditional oak-framed (and unpainted) building...they didn't faff around every year re-applying oil. Buildings are still standing.

[mrspanton]

Yet they still apply lime whitewash to all the exterior timbers at Lavenham guildhouse (the latest one was being done during my last visit) They did it regular for 500 years or so.
English oak heartwood should last 100's of years without any added treatments. Its the best. You dont find old frames still standing after 500 years that were made of poplar or sycamore or beech etc (you might find odd timbers of other species in among an oak frame) And a lot of old frames were painted originally I believe not just with white wash but colours as well. One thing that highlights the state of bland britain is the standard uniform upvc white on every street now, not the genuine diverse full range of colours you used to get

[thallow]

Ok so no oil at all.....and in terms of designing in 'rain drop off' any insider tips?

Will post some wip pics once started ;D

[engineerone]

well personally as for rain run offs, i would put a cap on the uprights on both sides, with a chamfer and an internal drip
groove and if you are going to have a flat top, thinking about
a slight taper on the m/tis at the joints.

in this way the glue line would not be always open to the rain
settling.

also, if you are going to put a diagonal rear strengthener, then
again think about covering the end grain.

paul

[paulchapman]

I have a small back gate made of oak. It was here when we bought the house about 16 years ago, so it's quite old. I treat it with creosote (or creosote substitute as it is today) about once a year when I do the fence. I think it looks nice and it seems to preserve the wood very well.

Cheers

Paul