Looking for a source of Mahogany cladding

[evildrome]

Hi All,

First off, I'm primarily a metal worker. I love wood too and don't make enough use of it.

I have been asked by a friend to make him a set of gates for his house. Easy peasy, square frame metal gate with wood cladding infill.

Except that his wife has chosen this for the wood (see image).

Which I believe to be African Mahogany. Madam has excellent taste!

I'm going to guess that she'll be happy with anything that looks similar (honeyed oak?) but if I can get the right thing.. that suits me.

So long as I can get it as cladding (ie tongue & groove) and it'll survive being outdoors.

Any advice welcome.

BTW I have some other friends doing a stationary pumping engine resto and they need Mahogany cladding as well so I can probably afford to order quite a lot even from abroad.


Cheers,

Wilson Logan.

Mob: 07711 zero two six six five three

 

[RobinBHM]

Hi Wilson,

I cant tell from the photo what the timber is, but it looks more like iroko than mahogany.

Mahogany is actually not available, the equivalent is either Sapele or Utile (neither as durable as iroko).

Treat before assemble so edges get covered, make sure design of gate allows water to escape at bottom as the biggest problem you will face is if the bottom of each board sits in water and soaks up moisture.

Allow enough gap between each board for movement

these are specialist suppliers of cladding material:

http://www.silvatimber.co.uk/iroko-tong ... 140mm.html

Cheers Robin

 

[evildrome]

Hi Robin,

Thanks for that! Especially the advice about a gap at the bottom. I wouldn't have thought of that.

The wood in the link you sent looks quite pale. What do I need to treat it with to bring out the colour? A stain or a varnish or both?

I'm aiming for the look on the right rather than the look on the left.

Thanks,

Wilson.