This article looks at the steps you should take to make sure your garden is secure over the winter months – including your gates, outdoor lighting and fencing, which could all be vulnerable from a cold snap, high winds or prolonged periods of rain.
This article is a three- to four-minute read.
There are three main reasons why you should check your fences, gates and outdoor lights in November:
- To guard against weather damage, to ensure your gates, fences and lighting survive the winter – and can hold their own in storms, snow or strong winds.
- To ensure you feel safe and secure in the darker mornings and evenings with a well-maintained boundary and sufficient lighting that deters unwanted visitors.
- You benefit from good lighting to the main doors, garage and outbuildings: making it safer for you and any visitors to find the way to the car, or outbuilding in the dark.
At Lumberjacks, we have compiled these helpful maintenance tips to give you some seasonal peace of mind.
Outdoor Lighting, Fencing and Gates from Lumberjacks
At Lumberjacks, we stock high quality garden gates, outdoor lighting and a wide variety of fencing and accessories at our Ipswich base. We can help you get your garden ready for the darkest coldest months of the year.
Whether you need replacement items for a fence or gate repair, or have decided to improve your lighting this late autumn, we can advise on cost effective solutions that provide the peace of mind you desire.
We are also happy to advise any of our customers on ways to look after what you have already got.
This article contains some basic advice to follow now, before the Christmas season begins. And if you have a more specific enquiry, just call the shop and we will be happy to advise you.
A stitch in time saves nine, as they say. Your quality wooden or metal gates, wooden fencing and low voltage garden lighting will last considerably longer, if they are given the right care and attention.
How to Maintain Outdoor Lights
Carry out periodic checks on the system – looking out for any issues such as cracks or leaks within the lights themselves, the wiring and the cables. You might want to consider where you put them to avoid water or snow damage, and also the angle you set them at to gain maximum coverage. In addition, clean or wipe down the lights, particularly if they are likely to get wet or muddy.
At Lumberjacks, we supply Ellumiere lighting, and their low-voltage cables. These have low voltage cables, which don’t have to be buried, but often are at least tucked away, for the aesthetical benefit. As winter conditions make exposed wires vulnerable, it is a good idea to check the condition of yours, if you haven’t done so recently. This will also protect them from pet damage, being struck by garden tools, or slow wear and tear from footfall. Consider adding insulation if they are affected by any of the above.
Low temperatures can cause materials to contract, which can loosen connections, causing damage. Ellumiere fixtures are weather-resistant, however it is still good practice to tighten them up annually. Check the transformer too, which should be shielded from the elements over winter.
The good news is that Ellumiere’s lights are sturdy and low voltage, so there’s little chance of getting an electric shock.
Our Ellumiere outdoor lighting page can be found here.
Gates
All gates, whatever they are made from, benefit from periodic checks. Clear debris (e.g. leaves and twigs) from the gate itself and the surrounding area, make sure the area is well drained (water can freeze around the base, affecting the gate's movement and causing damage), and inspect the hardware – the screws and any moving parts which may need oiling.
Wooden gates may need cleaning periodically with a soft brush and mild soapy water to remove dirt, mould, and algae. If the gate's sealant is worn, apply fresh preservative. Make sure overhanging branches/shrubs are well pruned so they aren’t in direct contact with it.
Metal gates may have the problem of rust – if so, sand it down and treat the area with a rust-inhibiting primer or something similar before repainting. With automatic gates, you should check all electrical components, as these can stop working in cold weather.
You can explore our full range of high-quality wooden, metal, and bespoke gates available at our Ipswich base here.
Fences
Again, much of the advice on gates applies to fencing too. Carry out periodic inspections, looking for weak and unstable panels. Rot is the main enemy again, so you might want to install weatherboards to guard against ground-level damage. Clean the panels in the same way as gates, and make sure any nearby trees or shrubs are well pruned, to avoid unnecessary damage.
We Are Here to Help
Remember, it may be more cost-effective to replace rather than repair - and it pays to get a professional opinion. We are happy to advise, free of charge, on the simplest and most cost-effective way to fix up and secure your gates and fencing.
Whether it is the post or the panels, we have a wide range of solutions including alternatives to timber posts, such as DuraPost posts. We can help you if this is a new home, where you ‘inherited’ fence or gate issues, or if your current set up is fine but just needs a few small adjustments to update and improve it. We are here to help.
There’s also plenty of additional information and tips in our previous blog post here.
Contacting Lumberjacks
If you have any questions, call us on 01473 461394 or email us at
FAQS
Do Lumberjacks stock wood treatments?
Yes, we stock a variety of different shades of Barrettine’s wood protectors, which should keep your fences or gates in good condition over the winter months. We also stock decking oil that should protect your decking against any mould or fading.
Do Lumberjacks offer a delivery service?
Yes – so if you find you need to replace an entire section of fence, or a new gate, then we can deliver these directly to your door. It may be free depending on the size of your order and where you live. More details can be found on our deliveries page here.
If I need to replace a fence, or part of it, do you have any tips?
There are a number of downloadable guides on our website, including one on how to install a fence, which can be found here.
