Iroko weathers over time like any timber. It is a hardwood is rich in natural oils with a ‘Very Durable’ classification. Therefore, it is relatively stable, hard wearing and resistant to decay. Iroko is the timber that we use on our Hardwood Courtyard & Driveway gates plus some 5 Bar gates. They are supplied in a smooth planed finish that will typically fade to silver-grey within approximately 12 months unless treated. Some people do like the natural silvered look. However, it is worth remembering that untreated Iroko can be prone to water marks. Also, if the gate is in an aspect where one side received a lot more sunshine than another it is possible for the gates to dry out unevenly after wet weather. This can potentially cause some twisting in the timber.
Stages of weathering in untreated Iroko
If you want to slow down how Iroko weathers over time and retain the colour of an Iroko gate we recommend that you treat the timber with a modern UV Oil for planed timber, such as Osmo or Restol. The UV protects against fading and the oil protects against water marks and uneven drying out which can cause movement in the timber.
