If you want to learn more about something, they say ask an expert about custom gate design. Our team of woodworking experts shares a combined total of more than 100 years of experience, so I couldn’t think of a better place to find an expert than our very own production shop floor. We recently spent some time sitting down with one of our Craftsmen, George. George has
been hand crafting wooden gates for 4 years, and has worked with wood in a variety of applications for more than 20 years.
Here at Pacific Gate Works, George plays a vital role in the construction of your gate. From hand selecting and tone matching boards, to staining or shipping, George does it all. We asked George to share a little more on gate construction and what makes a Pacific Gate Works wooden gate truly unique.
As George explained, “One of the primary differences between our wooden gates and many other gates in the marketplace is our construction. We utilize Mortise and Tenon joints in all of our wooden gates. Dating back to ancient times, this type of joint generally connects two pieces of wood together at a 90-degree angle and is arguably one of the strongest joints in woodworking. In its most basic form, a mortise and tenon joint both simple and strong.
Comprised of a mortise hole or pocket and the tenon tongue, this joint is designed to stand the test of time. This type of joinery allows us to eliminate the use of other metal fasteners such as screws or nails. While screws or other types of metal fasteners may give the appearance of a structurally sound gate, metal fasteners can degrade and erode over time resulting in a loss of overall stability and detracting from the beautiful appearance of your
wood gate.
Another prominent feature in a Pacific Gate Works gate is the tongue and groove panel that make up the body of the gate. Tongue and Groove joints are another commonly used joint in woodworking, often utilized to form a wider panel from narrower boards. Our tongue and
groove panels are designed to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction in your gate. By allowing the wood to expand and contract naturally, the risk of cracking and splitting is minimized. Set within the framework of the stiles and rails, the tongue and groove panels are designed to not only be beautiful but play an important role in the stability of your gate over time.” Made by true Craftsmen,
if you have a Pacific Gate Works gate at your home, George is likely to be one of the many talented woodworkers who helped to build it. We look forward to sitting down with our other Craftsmen to discuss more of the features and benefits of our gates in the coming months. Learn more about the construction of our Western Red Cedar gates and see how they can enhance any outdoor space today.