| The grades vary for different uses. Knots are | | | | and checking in addition to durability. This means |
| common but their size and quality vary according to | | | | redwood projects age beautifully. Decks, fences and |
| the part of the tree from which boards are | | | | shelters made with redwood simply look better ten, |
| converted. | | | | fifteen and twenty years after construction. |
| It should be noted that the timber is kilned prior to | | | | Treating lumber with chemicals increases its decay |
| shipping but the moisture content is often about | | | | resistance but doesn't improve other characteristics |
| 18%, and therefore higher than most kiln dried | | | | of the species. In many applications, other aspects of |
| hardwood moisture contents. | | | | wood performance take precedence. For example, |
| The diameter of such pines normally result in board | | | | wood off the ground but exposed to harsh sunlight |
| widths of 100mm - 225mm. | | | | needs resistance to checking and warping. Beauty is |
| Edge-glued panels are imported in large volumes for | | | | usually the primary concern in highly visible applications |
| pine furniture manufacturers, with lamination widths | | | | such as decking surfaces, fences and overhead |
| usually about 45mm. | | | | shelters. In most situations the wood's workability, |
| Dream you are in a garden. Beautiful flowers abound | | | | finish retention or the absence of pitch and resins is |
| and flourish. A bench beckons across from a babbling | | | | important. |
| pond. Fish flutter through the water while birds flutter | | | | Hanging (fitting) the gate. |
| above. A cobblestone path leads to an opening in the | | | | Place the gate in between the two gate posts and |
| trees. And you nestle in on a rope swing with that | | | | sit it on packers so the gate is about 50mm off the |
| morning cup of coffee. A beautiful dream. | | | | ground. (Adjust accordingly if required, to allow for |
| But, does the garden gate match the dream? A | | | | the contour of the ground and to ensure that the |
| garden gate should allure your guests in. | | | | gate will be able to swing open.) Place wedges or |
| The garden gate is the enchanting entryway. It | | | | packers at the sides of the gate so that the gaps |
| suggests the mystery that lies beyond. Whatever | | | | between the gate and each post are even. |
| that mystery may. Passers by stop to ponder what | | | | The gate should be able to stay in place by itself |
| could possibly be behind such a beautiful garden gate. | | | | while the tee hinges are screwed in place. Place a |
| So create your own mystery with the perfect | | | | hinge on each horizontal member (3 in all). If the gate |
| garden gate | | | | is to be opening inwards, then the hinges will be fixed |
| By their nature garden gates are exposed to the | | | | to the inside of the gate to the horizontal members. |
| elements. The wood gate will require either painting | | | | If the gate is to open outwards, then the hinges will |
| or water proofing with deck sealants. The finish on | | | | be fixed to the outside of the gate, to the palings in |
| your hardware should be black powder coat over | | | | line with the horizontal members. |
| steel, aluminum, or cast iron. This type of product is | | | | Once the hinges are screwed in place, take out the |
| successful in providing good rust resistance. Cheap | | | | wedges and/or packing and fit the gate latch. Usually |
| hardware is usually painted. This shiny black paint will | | | | the latch should be put halfway up the gate, but if |
| easily peel away and rust will begin to seep down the | | | | the gate is to keep little kids in or out, then put the |
| face of your gate. | | | | gate latch towards the top of the gate. |
| Performance is more than durability. Redwood has | | | | Finally, and if required, cut a hole in the gate handy to |
| qualities not found in other woods--even woods | | | | the latch and big enough to put a hand through. This |
| treated with chemicals. Redwood performance | | | | is so the gate can be opened from both inside and |
| characteristics include resistance to shrinking, warping | | | | outside. |