Timber Treatments
At Suffolk Gates we offer a variety of timber treatments on our softwood gate and door products. However, some products are only suited to certain treatment types, but all the treatments that we use are proven leading brand applications. Hardwoods unlike Softwood do not need treating; but there are a variety of products that maybe brush applied so as to maintain or change the appearance if required. For information and advice on this, please contact our sales team who will be able to give you sensible advice based on your requirements.
ACQ Pressure Treatment
ACQ is a treatment carried out in a treatment vessel where the chemical is forced into the timbers by means of pressure, and this is available either green or brown as shown in the pictures below. This treatment is a very robust treatment and is only suitable for use on field and entrance gates, some pedestrian and hand gates, and all ground contact posts.
(We do not recommend this treatment on any gates with tongue and groove boarding due to the excessive shrinkage in the timbers after treatment)
Kingfisher Water Repellent Base Coat
Kingfisher water repellent base coat is a ‘straw’ coloured base treatment that we apply to many of our softwood products as shown in the pictures below. It is not as robust as ACQ pressure treatment, making it more suitable to use on joinery products. There is less movement in the timbers after this treatment, making it an ideal application on softwood gates, especially when constructed using tongue and groove boarding.
(Because this treatment is a light coloured treatment and acts as a base coat it is strongly advised that a solvent or oil based wood stain is applied within 3 months of installation)
Solvent / Oil Based Wood Stain
All Softwood gates which are treated with Kingfisher water repellent base coat will require a minimum 3 coats of solvent / oil based wood stain to be applied within 3 months of installation. This is to prevent discolouring and to reduce excessive expansion of the timbers during the wet winter months.
We are able to provide a staining service of many leading brand products at Suffolk Gates for a further minimal charge or this can be left to you the customer.
Wood stains are available in a variety of colours, so please click on the below Sadolins and Kingfisher links so as to view the available colour ranges.
Our advice is to always start with a lighter colour, as shades will darken with further additional coats. Also if you wish for a change of colour, you will only be able to darken rather than lighten the appearance.
Architectural Solignum
If you require a black or white finished appearance on either your hardwood or softwood gates we recommend that Architectural Solignum should be used. This is a multi coat application for both black and white finishes, and we would suggest a minimum of 3 coats should be applied prior to or shortly after installation.
For further information on Architectural Solignum products please click on the below link.
Solignum Uk
