Fences and gates – timber cappings warped/twisted

Causes

Timber movement

Not enough fixings

Listed under: finishes, timber and wood-based, paint, timber, Section, fences, gates, fixings and hardware, fixings

Cause

Timber movement

Repair

  • where the movement is minor and the timber can be straightened out with force, install extra fixings. As a minimum protection, use hot-dip galvanized nails, or stainless steel in very corrosive environments (close to the sea or in a geothermal area). Use a G or F clamp where possible to pull the timber flat. Nails with an annular grooved shank will have better holding power. Where nails are close, stagger the position to reduce the risk of timber splitting
  • another option is to use hot-dip galvanized or stainless steel screws to refix warped palings and cappings. Use a G or F clamp where possible to pull the timber, then screw tight. Using a nail or screw alone to pull the board back is not likely to be successful – use of a clamp gives better control when straightening and flattening timber. Screws should then be applied to the positioned timber to hold it in the now flat position
  • where timber cannot be straightened with pressure and is visually unacceptable, replace it. H3.2-treated radiata pine cappings are readily available. As a minimum protection, fix with hot-dip galvanized nails with an annular grooved shank, or stainless steel in very corrosive environments (close to the sea or in a geothermal area)
  • dark-coloured finishes on timber attract heat from the sun and resulting temperature extremes can cause unwanted changes in timber shape over time. Using lighter-coloured finishes (or no finish at all) will reduce the risk of movement

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Cause

Not enough fixings

Repair

  • as above

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