Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ page). Below, we have tried to answer the most common questions visitors to this our Web site may have. If you find that your question is not answered on this page, please E-mail us mail@ironwillow.com or call us at 505-896-3411.

What sizes do your gates come in?  We custom make our gates to fit most any size up to 6 feet wide.  Because the wood is 2” thick redwood, the gates get very heavy when made large.

What is the price range of your gates? Prices run from $275 up to $3,200 and more depending on what the design entails.

What color choices do I have for the finish? If you want your gate stained, we prefer to use Behr semi-transparent stains.  There are color charts available at Home Depot stores or wherever Behr stains are sold. You can also choose a solid color stain or a different brand.  Our standard colors are Woodland Green or Cape Cod Gray, but you can select a color that matches your house.  There is an extra $25 charge for stains other than our standard colors.

Do you install? For the larger gates and those requiring welding, we have an installer we can recommend to you if you live near our area. A quote will be given on the charge for installation. Most average garden gate installations are very simple for homeowners to do themselves. We will provide instructions on the process to you if you wish to install it yourself. 

Do you ship? Yes, we ship nation wide.  Please call for shipping charges. If you have a business address that your gate can be shipped to, it will save money as residence deliveries cost quite a bit more.

What type of materials do you use to make the gates? We generally use 2” x 12” rough hewn redwood to make our gates.  When we can get old barn wood, we also offer gates made in that material, but it is not easy to come by. All the iron on the gates is new, and “aged” to a rustic patina by various methods.

How do you age the wood? When available, we use reclaimed lumber such as old barn wood. Otherwise we use new redwood.  Contrary to popular belief, we don’t beat the wood with chains. Much of the aging occurs throughout the process of putting the gate together. When the hardware is mounted and the acid is applied to the metal, the runoff creates a lot of the old look. We also can sandblast the wood to enhance the deep crevices and weathered beach look. The cost for sandblasting is $50 per side for most garden gates.

How do I maintain my gate? Most people like the aged look of our gates, so very little maintenance is needed.  If you live near the coast, you will need to apply boiled linseed oil to the metal work if you notice it turning rusty.  The stains we use typically last 5 years, and if you want to keep a “newer” look on your gate, you can reapply more stain by simply brushing it on.

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