Softwood vs Hardwood Automatic Gates

Once you have decided that you would like electric wooden gates it is time to start deciding if you would like softwood or hardwood automated gates. There are a fair few differences to consider when you are weighing up the options between these types of gates.

The design of your gate is not really that important as soft and hard wood can be designed in any way you would like. It is the properties of the wood that should be considered. Here is some of the things to consider when you are looking into which is better for your automated wooden gates.

Softwood gates are a lot cheaper to make simply because the materials are cheaper. Now this may sound like a great option however softwood doesn't last as long as hardwood.

There are some exceptions to this rule but for the most part, softwood is a lot more susceptible to the weather than hardwood. This is not to say that softwood won't last a while.

If you take care of your softwood electric wooden gates properly then they will last a long time. However, hardwood doesn't take as much looking after.

Hardwood contains a lot less knots than softwoods. This makes them stronger and gives them a better appearance than softwood. You can never really make a softwood gate that looks like a hardwood gate even when you are using stain. The grain and knots just never quite look as good, in our opinion.

So softwood is cheaper but doesn't last as long. Hardwood looks better, is slightly more expensive but lasts longer. There is no way of saying which is better for you. This decision must be made by you but hopefully this article will give you some things to think about when making a choice of which wood to use for your automated wooden gates.

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We offer a full range of domestic hardwood and cast iron driveway gates in the Tyne and Wear area.

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