Replace farm gate top lintel.....options...

[dishman]

Farm style gate, nothing expensive. It is a pretty cheap one to be fair, but looks nice enough.

It looks like it is made out of fairly cheapish softwood (pine). But it has been in situ for 25 years now, and after a recent clean up has no rot, other than sections of top lintel including rot in the mortice joints.

At first, i considered filling and repair. But to do it properly, with the proper epoxy filler and wood hardening prep, I worked out it would cost me £50+ and probably a lot of mess.

But, at a quick glance, a replacement top lintel might cost half that, if not less.

But, the types of timber options is quite overwhelming. Also finding the best size option is a challenge.

The measurements are

Length: 320cm (from end to end) including mortice joints.

Width: 6.35cm (2.5")
Depth: 8.25cm (3.25")

What kind of grade wood should I use considering it seems to be a cheapish farm gate to begin with?
The top rail is the only large lintel, the rest of it is just the gate battens.

Would a PSE wooden beam be my best bet?
Do many wood merchants cut to size for you?

Trying to make this as simple as possible for myself.

Appreciate any advice...

 

[Wayners]

Find a timber merchant and get a price.
They will cut to correct size.
You want treated external timber

 

[dishman]

You want treated external timber

Do I need any specific grade for an external softwood?

 

[Wayners]

You want knot free pressure treated timber.
Local timber merchant yard is what you want.
Go look at what they have that will do it. Get advice there..

I built pergola and some garden furniture. That's what I did and got them to deliver.

I have a few around me and one builds gates to spec. That's where I'd go.
See if you can do the same..

 

[dishman]

The irony is that the current gate has many knots .

Which actually look rather nice now I have sanded it back and oiled it. But I understand they are not great structurally.