Meranti double driveway gates

[SJ_Wood]

To be honest, I think you have all the information you need. Your boards are never going to experience the full range of potential movement. As profchris has suggested, allowing approximately 2 - 3 mm per board for shrinkage and expansion should cover it.

But if you really want to dig around and explore a bit further into how wood reacts to water as it's adsorbed and desorbed, you might look here. It's only a start into the fascinating world of timber technology (well, fascinating to me anyway), and perhaps not directly relevant to what you're doing now, but you may find it of interest. Slainte.

yes think will go with 2mm.

will take a look at that link thanks, it’s a world I have only just started looking into!

 

[SJ_Wood]

Ok happy with 2mm look, onward !!

 

[SJ_Wood]

Quick question on this , thinking of adding Dowels to the joints and don’t have the tools to make.

so will have to buy, which wood to use and best size ?

something like this ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pack-15mm-...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

 

[SJ_Wood]

Made my own dowels in the end

 

[SJ_Wood]

 

[SJ_Wood]

And modified the bracing

 

[Fred48]

Looking good

 

[SJ_Wood]

Finally hung!
will weather for 10/12 weeks now before I decide on treatment!

 

[Fred48]

They look brilliant. A quality job.

 

[SJ_Wood]

Hi guys,

just an update on this, been left to weather for a while now and just wondering what to do pre winter regarding any sort of treatment.
Apart from some staining(?) and bird crap they seem ok, tempted to clean and leave alaone.

would appreciate your thoughts?

 

[MARK.B.]

Nice looking pair

 

[johnnyb]

use a good quality oil first to suck into the bits you've not treated. in fact start with a clear wood preserver. meranti seems to have a hugely open grain.