Escot 5 Bar & 6 Bar heavy bottom

Our timber gates are manufactured from natural wood, and as a result, some movement and variation can occur throughout the life of the product. Correct installation, treatment and ongoing maintenance are important to help keep your gate performing at its best.

If you experience an issue with one of our gates, please contact our sales team and we will be happy to discuss the problem with you. Providing photographs of the gate, fittings and installation will help us assess the issue and advise on the appropriate next steps.

Checking Your Gate on Delivery

Please inspect your gate carefully upon delivery. Any visible damage, quality concerns or manufacturing issues identified at the time of delivery should be reported to us within 24 hours and before the gate is installed.

If you notice an issue when your gate arrives, please do not install, alter or treat the gate before contacting us. Where possible, please provide photographs clearly showing the issue so our team can assess it.

We understand that some issues may only develop or become apparent after installation or with use. Problems that genuinely develop or become apparent at a later date can still be reported to us and will be assessed individually.

However, where an issue was clearly present or visible when the gate was delivered but was not reported within a reasonable timeframe, this may affect our ability to investigate or resolve the complaint.

Treatment & Maintenance

Timber is a natural material and requires appropriate care to help protect it from the elements.

Untreated timber gates should be treated with a suitable timber treatment before being exposed to the weather. Treatment should then be maintained as required throughout the life of the gate.

Using an unsuitable treatment, failing to treat the timber or not maintaining the treatment can result in problems such as water damage and rot.

If you are unsure which treatment is suitable for your gate, please speak to our sales team for advice.

Installation

Correct installation is important for the long-term performance of your gate.

Timber naturally expands and contracts as moisture levels and weather conditions change. Gates should therefore be installed with sufficient clearance to allow for seasonal timber movement.

We highly recommend using adjustable hinges, as these allow the position of the gate to be adjusted if movement occurs over time.

Correctly fitted ironwork is also important. Suitable fittings, including drop bolts and socket sets where required, can help support the gate and reduce unnecessary strain on the timber and joints.

Poorly fitted gates, posts or ironwork can place additional stress on the gate and may contribute to problems developing over time.

Standard gates should not be installed as bi-fold gates unless they have been specifically designed for this purpose, as a bi-fold installation can place increased stress on the joints.

Natural Timber Movement

As timber is a natural material, it will respond to changes in temperature, humidity and moisture.

Some twisting, warping, checking and splitting can naturally occur as timber expands, contracts and dries. These characteristics do not necessarily indicate a manufacturing or quality issue and will be taken into consideration when assessing any concerns with a gate.

Allowing sufficient clearance during installation and using adjustable fittings can help accommodate natural movement.

Alterations & Additional Fittings

Care should be taken when adding mesh, automation equipment, locks or other accessories to a timber gate.

Any additional fittings should be installed correctly and should not place excessive pressure on the timber or joints.

In particular, mesh should not be fitted too tightly, as this can restrict the natural movement of the timber and potentially cause the gate to distort.

Alterations made to the original construction of a gate may also affect its performance, so please speak to us before making significant modifications if you are unsure.

If You Have a Problem With Your Gate

If you believe there is a problem with your gate, please contact our sales team. To help us investigate the issue as quickly as possible, please provide:

• Your order or invoice details

• Photographs of the complete gate

• Close-up photographs clearly showing the issue

• Photographs showing the hinges, posts and other fittings

• A brief description of the problem

• Details of when the issue was first noticed

Visible quality issues or delivery damage should be reported within 24 hours of receiving the gate and before installation. Issues that genuinely develop or only become apparent at a later date can still be reported and will be assessed individually.

The information provided will help our team determine whether the issue relates to the manufacture of the gate, natural timber movement, treatment, installation, fittings or another cause, and advise you on the appropriate next steps.