OT: Outdoor gate material

[Dukester]

I have put up a 1,100 split rail fence, and am now faced with building 4 gates to go along with it. What I'm looking to build is something similar to this:

http://nnalert.com/yfrv6bg

which are cypress. But I don't currently have access to a good local supplier of cypress and am wondering what else I can build these out of and keep the weight down. I'm wondering if I can just use plain ole SprucePineFir 2x6's planed down to the right thickness?

How long will untreated pine last outdoors, off the ground? The gate posts are pressure treated 6x6's with a concrete collar. The dimensions are approximately 12' x 3' for the entire gate, ~6'x3' for each gate 'half'. No, I'm not going to paint or stain them.

Cheers
Dukester
Gate picture

 

[Germ]

Dukester, do you have rough sawn cedar available locally?

 

[chrisinsoky]

if you cant keep the weight down (i had to build something like that recently) get your self some cable and small turnbuckles and cable the end of the gate up and use your turnbuckle to keep tension, another idea (i aint a big fan of cause of mud) is to put wheels at the end to help support the weight? do you have livestock? if so i would rather have a heavy gate (cause there always rubbin there head on stuff anyway, fighte flys or what have ya) then a light 1 that doesnt need support

 

[Elmo]

Western cedar is very weather resistant and lightweight.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I do not think pine is the best way to go. It probably will not last more than a few years at best. Cedar will last but will not be as strong as
cypress. It also tends to crack and split in my experience. White oak is strong and will actually last quite a while if not on ground; but its somewhat heavy. Find some rough cut at a local mill may be a reasonable priced choice.

 

[lonestarjeff]

I really like the looks of the gate in the link. I have several that need replacement, so you've inspired me to try one in cedar & see how it holds up.

I've been installing the off-the-shelf pipe gates so far, but the wood looks so much better.

Thanks for posting.

Jeff

 

[Danny in CO]

You could use pressure treated lumber (pine). It should be readily available just about anywhere.

Danny

 

[Dukester]

The gate is at Rowan Oak, former home of William Faulkner, which is near where I live.
Wikipedia Rowan Oak link

 

[Dukester]

I have not been able to find cedar in any variety nearby, unfortunately.

 

[lonestarjeff]

I enjoyed the link...thanks.

Jeff