Open your gate three times a day and that's over 1,000 times a year. Your fence never moves.
That's why the gate is almost always the first wood on your property to look worn out, even when the fence beside it still looks fine.
Here's what wears a gate's finish down, how to spot it early, and what a proper gate refinish takes.
4 Things That Wear Out a Gate Faster Than a Fence
1. Hands. Skin oils, sunscreen, and dirt build up where people push and pull. The finish around the latch and handle wears through first.
2. Movement. A gate swings, and a fence doesn't. Every cycle flexes the joints slightly, which opens hairline cracks in the finish along the frame and board edges.
3. Exposed end grain. The top edge and board ends soak up water like a straw. Gates often fail from the top down.
4. Hardware. Hinges, latches, and steel frames trap water against the wood. Dark stains around hardware are often the first sign of trouble.
Signs Your Gate Needs Refinishing
- The wood around the latch or handle looks darker or grimy
- The top edge has turned gray or has started to crack
- Dark streaks are spreading out from the hinges or hardware
- Water soaks into the wood instead of beading up
- The gate looks noticeably older than the fence next to it
Catch it at this stage and a refinish brings the gate back. Wait until the wood itself starts to soften, and boards have to be replaced first.
Fix the Gate Before You Fix the Finish
If your gate sags, drags on the ground, or won't latch on its own, refinishing won't solve it. That's a structural problem with the frame, posts, or hinges.
A dragging gate also scrapes off new stain within weeks. The structure gets fixed first, then the finish.
What a Gate Refinish Includes
- Inspection. We check the hinges, latch, frame, and posts, and look for soft or rotten boards.
- Repairs. Loose or rotten boards are replaced, and structural issues are fixed before any finish goes on.
- Protect the hardware. Hinges, latches, locks, and, on automatic gates, motors and sensors are protected so stain never gets into moving parts.
- Sand and fill. The weathered surface is sanded off, and screw holes and nail divots are filled for a smooth finish.
- Two coats, with extra attention on the top edge. End grain and the top of the gate get a full seal, because that's where water gets in first.
Refinish the Gate and Fence Together
A freshly refinished gate next to a faded fence makes the fence look worse. If they sit side by side, doing both at once is the easiest way to get the color to match.
Not sure if your fence is worth refinishing? Read how to tell if your fence should be refinished or replaced. Doing a deck too? See why deck stain peels and how to prevent it.
Steel-Frame and Driveway Gates
Many modern gates are wood boards on a steel frame. That combination lasts much longer than an all-wood gate, but it still needs care:
- The wood gets refinished the same way as any other gate.
- The steel should be checked for chips and scratches. Small chips left alone can let rust spread under the paint.
- Automatic gates need the motor, sensors, and wiring protected during the work, and a test run afterward.
See our driveway gate projects and refinishing work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a wood gate be refinished?
Usually sooner than the fence next to it. Gates get handled and moved every day, so the finish around the latch and on the top edge wears out first. Check it once a year.
Can a gray, weathered gate be brought back?
Yes, as long as the wood underneath is solid. Sanding removes the gray surface layer, and two coats of stain bring back the color.
My gate sags. Will refinishing fix it?
No. Sagging is a structural problem with the frame, posts, or hinges. It should be fixed before refinishing, or the new finish will crack where the gate drags.
Can you refinish an automatic driveway gate?
Yes. The motor, sensors, and wiring are protected during the work, and the gate is tested afterward to make sure it still opens and closes correctly.
Should my gate match my fence?
If they're side by side, refinishing them together is the best way to get the colors to match. A newly refinished gate next to a faded fence makes the fence look older.