When designing residential gates for your property, it’s essential to consider more than just the appearance of the material you choose — its durability, sustainability, longevity, and performance are all important factors.
One material consistently rising to the top for discerning homeowners is Accoya® wood — a revolutionary modified timber with exceptional properties that make it ideal for high-performance wooden electric gates.
At Windlesham Gates, we specialise in crafting bespoke electric gate solutions that combine engineering precision with beautiful materials. Among all the timber choices available, we believe Accoya® stands out as the most compelling option for today’s environmentally conscious homeowner who wants a stunning yet long-lasting entranceway.
In this guide, we’ll dive into what makes Accoya® unique, explore its key benefits, and demonstrate why it’s the ideal material for sustainable gates.
What Is Accoya® Wood and What Makes It So Special?
Accoya® wood is a modified timber created through a chemical process called acetylation. This advanced technique modifies the cellular structure of sustainable wood to increase its moisture resistance, which prevents it from swelling, shrinking, or rotting, even in extreme weather conditions.
Unlike thermal modification, which can weaken wood, or surface treatments, which often only protect the wood’s outer layer, Accoya® wood is modified to its core. This ensures consistent structural integrity, even when it is cut or jointed.
With enhanced durability, dimensional stability, and insect resistance, this acetylated wood offers a level of performance typically reserved for the most durable tropical hardwoods — but without the high environmental cost. What’s more, it comes with impressive warranties for outdoor use.
Overall, its enhancements make Accoya® uniquely well-suited to the construction of modern wooden electric gates.
Key Benefits of Accoya® Wood for Gates
1. Exceptional Durability and Longevity
Durability is a must when investing in wooden electric gates, especially in the UK, where the climate can be both unpredictable and harsh. Accoya® is warrantied for 50 years above ground and 25 years in-ground or in freshwater.
It has been independently tested in some of the world’s most demanding environments — from submerged canal structures to exposed coastal locations — and does not show signs of deterioration after decades.
In practical terms, this means fewer repairs, fewer replacements, and much lower lifetime costs for homeowners. Its longevity pays off not just in maintenance savings, but in peace of mind.
Gates made with Accoya® will also not suffer from the rot, insect damage, fungal decay, or warping that often affects other timber species. The durability and hardness of Accoya® provide the strength needed for residential gates that prioritise security.
2. Dimensional Stability
One of the most significant advantages of Accoya® wood in gate design is its stability. Because the acetylation process drastically reduces the wood’s ability to absorb water, it resists swelling and shrinking through seasonal weather changes.
This is particularly critical when designing, manufacturing, and installing wooden electric gates, where even minor warping can interfere with automated opening systems and mechanical components.
Unlike other modified or treated woods that only protect the outer surface, leading to long-term vulnerabilities, Accoya® offers structural integrity throughout the entire cross-section of the material. This ensures that every gate we build maintains its function and aesthetics across years of use, regardless of the weather.
3. Engineered for Performance
The integration of automation systems in gates has become more common in residential settings. As experienced specialists in wooden electric gates, we understand that automation brings unique demands — precision hinges, balanced movement, and mechanical compatibility.
Accoya® can be machined, glued, and painted like unmodified wood, and it remains aligned and well-fitting year after year, even under repeated stress from gate opening and closing cycles. The result is smooth operation, reduced wear on motorised components, and fewer servicing appointments.
4. Sustainability
As concerns around sustainability and environmental responsibility continue to grow, many homeowners are now looking for sustainable gates when upgrading their properties. Accoya® timber is sourced from fast-growing, FSC®-certified forests, offering a renewable and responsible alternative to slow-growing tropical hardwoods.
The acetylation process itself is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, while production uses over 50% renewable energy. Over its full lifecycle, Accoya® is CO₂-negative, meaning it actually absorbs more carbon than it emits during production and use. It is also 100% recyclable and Cradle to Cradle Gold certified. For anyone looking to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on style or quality, Accoya® ticks all the boxes.
Choosing Accoya® for your residential gates is more than a practical decision — it’s a meaningful one. It helps reduce the demand for endangered hardwoods, supports responsible forestry, and promotes long-term environmental health. At Windlesham Gates, we’re proud to work with materials that align with our clients’ values.
5. Aesthetic Appeal
A gate is more than just an entry point — it’s a statement about your home. Accoya® wood offers a natural, elegant appearance that can be adapted to suit both traditional and contemporary properties. It accepts stains, paints, and coatings beautifully, and only requires simple cleaning to stay in prime condition.
This means you can achieve the exact look you want — whether it’s the rich finish of a stained traditional gate or the clean lines of a painted, modern design — without worrying about premature fading or peeling. Accoya®’s surface holds coatings for twice as long as conventional hardwoods, making it as low-maintenance as it is beautiful.
At Windlesham Gates, our bespoke process ensures your wooden electric gates are custom-built to your vision. Whether you’re inspired by a rustic countryside look or an ultra-modern aesthetic, Accoya® provides the design flexibility and visual impact you’re after.
Why Choose Windlesham Gates as Your Wooden Gate Manufacturer?
With decades of experience and a reputation for precision craftsmanship, Windlesham Gates is the trusted name for wooden electric gates. Our in-depth knowledge of Accoya®, combined with a commitment to unrivalled quality, allows us to create bespoke gates that are as beautiful as they are functional and durable.
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every gate we build is tailored to your individual requirements and property style, with careful attention paid to design, installation, and long-term serviceability. By choosing us, you’re not only investing in a premium product — you’re investing in ongoing support and true craftsmanship.
Upgrade Your Home with Accoya Electric Gates
Accoya® wood offers a combination of aesthetic beauty, environmental responsibility, structural integrity, durability, and compatibility with automation that few — if any — other building materials can match.
For those seeking wooden electric gates that stand the test of time, residential gates with strong curb appeal, or sustainable gates that don’t compromise on performance, Accoya® is the clear frontrunner.
If you’re planning to upgrade your property’s entrance, now is the time to explore the many possibilities that Accoya® gates provide — and the team at Windlesham Gates is here to help.
Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation and discover how a bespoke Accoya® gate can elevate your home’s security, style, and sustainability.
