Alternatives To Tanalised Gates
To tanalise wooden gates a timber processor impregnates the wooden products under pressure with toxic substances which soak deep into the fibre of the timber. This process provides a long lasting barrier against insect attack and the various attributes of the weather which results in tanalised wood lasting in outside environment in excess of 30 years. Therefore products using this process such as tanalised gates and posts for driveway gates for instance would can be considered a good choice for such installations.
Easily noticeable from distributors of timber products for its green tint in colour, and can be of a rough sawn finish, however you can find gate manufacturers who do supply smooth finished tanalised gates to hang in driveways or be used as attractive wooden garden gates. Unless you are happy with the pale green colour of the gates then a high quality wood stain will be required to cover the gates and posts… This is not that easy as the tanalising process has sealed the fibres of the timber. Hence a high quality exterior wood stain has better chance of adhearing to the gates but the green tint often shows through or the exterior stains wash out quicker from weather corrosion than other forms of treated timber.
After some time the pale green coloration does subside and become a more suitable honey brown but die to the the treatment process still doesnt react too well with other color coatings. There are other methods of treating timber suitable for outside use and even large construction where the timbers preservative value can last an initial 60 years. Its a good idea to consider the alternatives as burning tanalised wood releases arsenic, a cumulative poison, into the immediate atmosphere. Whereas theres a copper azole formula pressure treatment as an alternative to the arsenic type tanalising process which provides an excellent protection barrier from causes of decay to ensure long life. There’s a water based version too which is in wide use in construction uses close to agricultural countryside uses such as field gates.