Cross Douglas Road Entrance Gates

In 2022 we were contacted about repairing and restoring a set of wrought iron entrance gates in our local area. When we went to view the gates it was immediately apparent that due to them being left in the open position, up against two hedges, that prolonged exposure to constant moisture was the culprit to their state of disrepair. 

While the presence of corrosion was evident it wasn't until after sandblasting that its severity was fully realised. The most common forms of corrosion present on the gate was ponding, the erosion of the top surface of horizontal bars, and necking, the erosion of vertical bars, usually found where a vertical bar passes through a horizontal bar. As well as this the front stiles of both leaves of the gate were corroded beyond salvaging. 

As with most gates this far gone we decided that completely stripping it to its component parts would be most prudent in order to carry out the repair work properly. Once stripped all corroded sections in need of repair were identified, and suitable sections of wrought iron were forged down from both cart axles and wheel bands in order to replace them. 

What was missing from the gate, the original latch and many ball nuts which held many of the decorative elements to the gate, were remade from scratch and fitted to the restored gate. 

Once all the restoration work was complete the gates were repainted and rehung from their original hinges set into the original piers.