Gates are often the first thing people notice when they see a house. So, what kind of garden gates should you get?
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Iron gates are sturdy and classic, while wooden gates bring a lovely, warm feeling to the property. However, both materials have their drawbacks, primarily in terms of maintenance and deterioration. Stick around for a quick guide on why aluminium garden gates are the best choice.
Aluminium gates are made from reinforced aluminium slats. This lightweight, versatile material is ideal for various gates, including driveway, pedestrian, side entrance, and garden gates. They are increasingly popular as an alternative to heavy iron and wooden gates. So, what is so great about them?
As well as looking great, aluminium gates have some truly remarkable qualities that set them apart as a choice for your home:
Aluminium gates are surprisingly strong. Despite being so lightweight, reinforced aluminium has a high strength-to-weight ratio.
This means that if you choose a gate mainly for its strength, heavy wood or metal gates might not be necessary because aluminium gates are strong enough, too. While it may not be as strong as steel, its other advantages make it a top contender in the gate market!
Aluminium is 2.5 to 3 times lighter than steel and iron! So, what does this mean for your aluminium garden gate? It means you’ll get the security of an aluminium gate along with these benefits:
These advantages save you money and make the gate safer, especially if you have kids. This is a real plus if they’re jumping out to open the driveway gate or chasing after stray footballs.
Dings and scratches are a normal part of owning gates. The good news is that most aluminium gates, such as the BillyOh Madrid model, come pre-treated with powder coating, which makes them exceptionally durable. Even minor nicks and dents can be easily repaired.
What’s more, the joints in aluminium gates tend to perform better over time. With wooden gates, you’d have to treat the wood and the metal joints regularly.
With all these positives, aluminium gates might start to sound pricey. Luckily for you, though, they start at a price point similar to wooden gates. So, there isn’t much of an argument for wooden gates being cheaper.
For instance, our BillyOh Nova powder-coated aluminium pedestrian gates start at just £249.
In point number 3, we mentioned that aluminium is durable. But the real advantage is that you might not even need to repair your gates.
For instance, aluminium gates don’t require re-staining or repainting like iron and wood. Powder coating isn’t just for weather resistance; it also adds style. The paint is fused into the aluminium, so maintenance tasks like repainting are unnecessary! You can wash and wipe them every so often.
Our guide, ‘How to Maintain Aluminium Gates,’ explains more about caring tips. Make sure to give it a read for more information!
Aluminium may not be as strong as steel, but its powder coating provides excellent anti-corrosion properties. Bare aluminium forms an oxide layer when exposed to the elements, so the powder coating helps to keep the gate’s flawless finish.
Powder coating is a fine powder that is applied to the metal using an electric charge. This powder forms a durable protective layer resistant to weather and corrosion.
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To wrap it up, aluminium gates are strong, durable, and easy to maintain. They can handle tough weather and are lightweight. Plus, with powder coating, they stay protected without needing the constant care that wood or iron gates require. Overall, it’s the best choice if you want a gate that looks great, is reliable, and won’t break the bank.
Automated gates come in a range of different materials. While wood was once a popular choice, it’s always had its limitations. Prone to rotting and gaining weight when wet, placing extra strain on the fittings, wooden gates need regular maintenance to keep them looking good.
Increasingly, people are moving away from wooden gates in favour of metal alternatives. These can be particularly appropriate if you plan to automate your gates.
Both steel and iron have been widely used in the past to construct gates, with aluminium a relatively new arrival. What’s the difference between the different types of metal gates and how do they compare?
One of the key factors when it comes to choosing gates is their weight. This is a key consideration if you intend to automate your gates. It will determine the type of motor and the power output you will need, and how often your gate system will need to be serviced.
More weight means more wear and tear on nearly all of the components. A motor that has to move a heavy gate will need to work much harder than one connected to a more lightweight option.
Both steel and iron gates are heavy. Aluminium, however, combines strength with relative lightness. They’re easier to open and close, require less motor force and cause less wear and tear on the component parts. The moving parts used on aluminium gates are likely to last longer than those used in conjunction with steel and iron.
Closely connected to the weight issue is safety. Although all automated gates should be designed with safety as a consideration, the extra weight of steel and iron gates creates a larger safety risk. If safety precautions fail, the weight of steel and iron gates hitting a person or an object is considerably more than aluminium gates. Less force is required to move aluminium gates, so there is less force acting on the gates. For the overwhelming majority of people with automated gates, the safe operation of their gates will never be compromised, but it can be a consideration. Overall, aluminium gates are safer and more energy efficient than heavier alternatives.
If rot is an issue to be aware of with wooden gates, then rust is something that you’ll need to consider with some kinds of metal gate. Both iron and steel gates are likely to develop rust issues over time when they come into contact with oxygen and water. To repair the issue you’ll need to clean off all loose rust and paint, and treat them with rust inhibitors and primer before repainting. Left untreated, the problem will get worse over time.
Aluminium gates don’t rust. As well as making aluminium gates look attractive, the coating they’re given also helps to protect them from corrosion. This means that not only are they protected, they will look good for years to come.
Both steel and iron are long-lasting and durable as a choice for gates. If they’re well maintained they will last considerably longer than wooden gates. For this reason, many people will opt for iron or steel gates believing them to be unrivalled when it comes to durability. This isn’t the case. Contemporary aluminium gates are just as durable as gates made from iron or steel. They require very little in the way of maintenance, and an occasional wipe down with a damp cloth to remove surface dirt should keep them looking as good as new.
One of the principal reasons for the continued popularity of wood as a material for gates is its appearance. There’s no denying the undoubted beauty of wood as a natural material. If you’re willing to accept that its lifespan will be shorter, and that extra maintenance will be required, then it can be a good choice.
The same applies to wrought iron, which can be used to create beautiful designs, some of them quite intricate and specialised. Steel as a gate material is less associated with aesthetics and is more about high-levels of security. For that reason, it’s often the material of choice in busy commercial settings.
Aluminium gates are made from aluminium extrusions which are both strong and light. A tough protective surface coating is bonded to the surface of the aluminium. This gives the gates their colour, texture and any wood-effect finish. They can be made to look like traditional wooden driveway gates, ornate wrought iron gates, even five bar gates. Contemporary designs that combine functionality and good looks are popular with homeowners.. They add kerb appeal to your home without requiring constant maintenance.
Now we come to that all important cost consideration. While steel gates may give you the feeling of extra security you need at your commercial premises, they will cost you more than some of the alternatives. Bespoke wrought iron gates can be beautiful, but you need to spend more. Aluminium gates will generally cost less than either iron or steel, without losing any of the aesthetic appeal of the former.
Overall, aluminium gates look great, are cheaper to run and need practically no maintenance.