Wooden gates are made from natural timber, which means they are constantly reacting to the environment around them. Changes in temperature, sunlight exposure, and moisture levels can all influence the way wood behaves over time. 

During periods of hot, dry weather, it’s not unusual to notice slight movement in a wooden gate. Warping, twisting, or minor cracking can occur as timber adjusts to changing conditions. These natural characteristics are common with solid wood products and rarely indicate a defect.

By understanding why timber moves, you can take simple steps to help preserve the appearance, performance, and longevity of your gate.

Wood is a living, natural material that continues to exchange moisture with the surrounding air even after it has been manufactured into a gate.

As environmental conditions change, timber absorbs moisture when humidity levels rise. It releases moisture when the air becomes dry. This continual moisture exchange causes the wood to expand and contract.

Because this process never completely stops, some seasonal movement within a wooden gate is to be expected. This is why installing a gate with the correct hinges that allow for seasonal adjustment is highly important.

Higher temperatures and strong sunlight can accelerate the drying process within timber. When one side of a gate receives more direct sun than the other, moisture can leave the wood unevenly.

This uneven drying often causes: slight twisting or bowing, minor changes in alignment, movement towards the sun-exposed side.

The effect is most noticeable on: South-facing gates, gates exposed to prolonged direct sunlight and gates where one face is shaded while the other remains exposed.

In most cases, this movement is temporary and forms part of the timber’s natural response to weather conditions.

 As wood dries, it is common for small cracks to develop on the surface. These are natural features of solid timber and are generally not a cause for concern.

The most common types are:

Checks

Small cracks that appear along the grain of the wood.

Shakes

Natural splits that occur as the timber adjusts and dries.

These characteristics:

• Are a normal part of timber’s natural behaviour
• Rarely affect the structural integrity of the gate
• May become less noticeable as weather conditions change
• Are not typically considered manufacturing defects

With pairs of  gates, it is not uncommon for each leaf to react differently to weather conditions. Factors such as sunlight exposure, airflow, shade levels and moisture content within the timber can vary from one gate to the other, causing them to bend or move in different directions. Uneven moisture levels as gates dry out are usually the main reason for this variation.

Even kiln-dried timber continues to respond to changing outdoor conditions. Well-made gates manufactured from quality timber are designed to cope with seasonal changes far better than lower-quality alternatives however they will still move with changing temperatures and moisture.

During Winter – Winter weather often brings higher humidity levels, allowing timber to absorb moisture. As a result, the wood may expand slightly.

During Summer – Warmer, drier conditions encourage moisture to leave the timber. This can cause the wood to shrink slightly and increase the likelihood of minor twisting or surface cracking.

Seasonal movements (and therefore adjustment of hinges) are a normal part of owning wooden driveway gates and garden gates and should be expected throughout the life of the product.

While timber movement cannot be completely prevented, regular maintenance can help minimise its effects. Correct installation, keeping gates properly treated, and maintaining them will help support long-term performance.

Timber has a natural tolerance in terms of how much it can expand and contract before succumbing to warping and shrinkage. It is for this reason that we recommend you treat all our planed timber gates with a modern UV oil for planed timber such as Osmo UV Protection Oil  on a regular basis. The oil contains an active UV filter that preserves the colour of the wood. Any outdoor wood that is sealed with oil at least once every year will will have improved water resistance. Oil also helps to stop wood drying out unevenly, which can lead to warping. Gates will last longer and look better than wood that is simply left to the elements.

For more advice on caring for your gates throughout the year, download our Seasonal Gate Maintenance Guide.