Oak is one of the most recognisable timbers in the world. So it's no surprise that one of the questions we hear most often is: "Can you make the gates in oak?" It's a fair question — but the honest answer is that oak, for all its heritage, isn't the best wood for hardwood gates. Iroko is. Here's why.

When it comes to choosing a hardwood for exterior gates, most people's instinct is to reach for oak. It's familiar, it's beautiful, and it carries centuries of tradition in British joinery. But familiarity isn't the same as suitability — and when you put the two timbers side by side under the demands of outdoor use, Iroko comes out ahead on almost every measure that matters.

We use Iroko hardwood for all of our hardwood gates, and it's not a compromise — it's a deliberate choice made by professional joiners who have seen both timbers perform (and fail) in the real world. This guide explains the differences between oak gates and Iroko gates, so you can understand exactly what you're getting.

What is Iroko hardwood?

Iroko (Milicia excelsa) is a large hardwood tree native to West Africa, widely grown and harvested across the tropical belt from Sierra Leone to Tanzania. It has been used in European joinery for decades, prized specifically for exterior applications — gates, doors, window frames, cladding, and decking — because of its exceptional natural durability and weather resistance.

In the UK timber trade, Iroko is sometimes referred to as African teak or African oak, though it is unrelated to either. It is classified as Durability Class 1 — Very Durable under European standards, which means it is rated for 25 or more years of outdoor service without any preservative treatment. That's the highest possible rating. For comparison, European oak is rated Class 2 — Durable — a solid result, but one step below.

Iroko vs oak for gates: a direct comparison

The table below compares the two timbers across the properties that matter most for hardwood gates.

Six reasons Iroko is better than oak for hardwood gates

• 1
  It holds its shape — gates that still fit years later

  This is the most practical reason of all. Oak has a well-documented tendency to move with seasonal changes in humidity — it expands in damp conditions and contracts when dry. Over time, this movement can cause a gate to warp, twist, or bind in its frame. You go from a gate that swings freely to one that sticks in summer and rattles in winter. Iroko's low movement rating means it holds its dimensions reliably through the seasons. The gate you install is the gate you'll have in five, ten, and fifteen years' time.

• 2
  Class 1 durability — the highest rating possible

  Iroko carries the top durability classification for naturally durable hardwoods. It is rated for more than 25 years of outdoor service without any preservative treatment. Oak, while good, sits at Class 2 and typically requires preservative treatment and regular maintenance to achieve similar longevity. For a gate — something that will be outside in all weathers, year in year out — this difference is significant.

• 3
  Natural oil content repels moisture

  Iroko is naturally rich in oils. This acts as a built-in water repellent: moisture doesn't penetrate as easily, which means less swelling, less splitting, and far less risk of rot. Oak lacks this innate oiliness, which is why untreated oak gates can begin to show signs of surface checking and moisture ingress relatively quickly. Iroko's oils give it a head start that oak simply can't match straight from the sawmill.

• 4
  Far lower maintenance over its lifetime

  Oak gates need regular attention — oiling, staining, or at minimum a thorough annual inspection with remedial treatment as needed. Without it, the timber will degrade faster than it should. Iroko gates are forgiving. A periodic oil treatment keeps them looking their best, but the timber performs reliably outdoors even with minimal intervention. Over ten to twenty years, this difference in maintenance burden adds up considerably in both time and cost.

• 5
  No tannin bleed on your driveway

  Oak is exceptionally high in tannins. When it gets wet — as gates inevitably will — those tannins can leach out and leave dark streaks or stains on whatever surface lies beneath: concrete, block paving, tarmac, gravel paths, adjacent brick walls. It is a common complaint with oak joinery and one that is genuinely difficult to resolve. Iroko does not share this problem. If your gates sit over a light-coloured or newly laid driveway, this alone is a compelling reason to choose Iroko.

• 6
  The professional's choice for exterior joinery

  Oak's reputation is built largely on its excellence as a furniture and flooring timber — indoor applications where dimensional stability matters less and the controlled environment does much of the protective work. Iroko, by contrast, has been the preferred choice of professional joiners and timber merchants for exterior gates, windows, and doors for decades. Its properties are specifically well suited to the demands of outdoor use in the British climate. When experienced craftspeople are specifying a hardwood for a gate that has to perform outdoors for a generation, Iroko is consistently the answer.

"Oak is a wonderful timber — but for exterior gates, Iroko is the professional's choice. Its durability, stability, and low maintenance make it the right material for a product that's exposed to the elements every single day."

Does Iroko look as good as oak?

Absolutely. Iroko has a warm, rich golden-brown colour with an attractive interlocked grain that gives it real visual character. Fresh sawn, it has a similar warmth to oak, though with a slightly deeper, more tropical tone. Left untreated outdoors, it will gradually weather to a distinguished silver-grey — a look many people actively prefer. Applied with a quality exterior oil, it retains its original colour beautifully and darkens to a rich honey-amber over time.

Oak, for all its familiar appeal, can weather unevenly and is prone to the dark blotching caused by tannin run-off. What starts as a classic pale-tan timber can look patchy and stained within a few seasons if not diligently maintained. Iroko weathers more gracefully and consistently, giving gates that continue to look intentional rather than neglected.

How to maintain Iroko hardwood gates

Maintaining Iroko gates is straightforward. When new, we recommend applying a good-quality exterior hardwood oil — products such as Treatex external Iroko Oil or similar are ideal — to all surfaces including the end grain before installation. This feeds the timber and provides an additional layer of UV and moisture protection.

After that, a light re-oil every one to two years is all that's needed to keep your Iroko gates performing and looking their best. Clean the timber with a mild soap and water before each application, allow it to dry fully, and apply the oil with a cloth or brush following the manufacturer's instructions.

If you prefer the natural silver-grey weathered look, Iroko will get there on its own — simply leave it untreated and let the timber age naturally. It will remain structurally sound throughout.

The bottom line on oak gates vs Iroko gates

If you came here wondering whether oak gates were the right choice, we hope this comparison has given you a clear answer. Oak is an excellent timber — in the right applications. Interior furniture, flooring, structural beams: oak excels. But for an exterior gate that needs to withstand British weather, hold its shape through every season, resist rot and insects, and keep looking good with minimal effort, Iroko is the better timber. It's not a close call.

That's why every hardwood gate we make is crafted from Iroko. Not because it's cheaper, not because it's easier — but because, for this specific purpose, it is the right wood for the job.