Aluminium Gates vs Wrought Iron Gates

Which brings us on to the question of – why choose any other gate than an aluminium one? It’s a good question. 

Of course, wrought iron and wooden gates might hold sentimental value. Or they might add to a property’s aesthetic. But when you look at what’s required to maintain these types of gates, you’ll join us on the aluminium side of the fence. 

For example, with a wrought iron gate you’ll need to both wash it and remove rust. Because this is a tough, durable metal you’ll need a wire brush and some elbow grease. You might even need a drill with a brush attachment.

After that, you’ll still need to wash wrought iron gates with white spirit. Then you can use a brush and an emery cloth to smooth its surface. Last but not least, you’ll need to apply metal primer to wrought iron gates and leave it for 24 hours. Only then can you come back and apply fresh paint.

All that just to prevent corrosion. Whereas, aluminium gates are powder-coated at the point of manufacture. So wrought iron gates definitely need more maintenance.

Plus, iron itself doesn’t cope too well with long-term air and water exposure. In turn, this will lead to rust that will cause any paint coating to flake. Rust can also be a nightmare for wrought iron metal gate hinges and moving parts. 

And, if you don’t treat it your gate could rust to the point that it no longer opens! 

Bear in mind that iron is heavier than aluminium. Because of this, an iron gate may also have a high installation and delivery cost. Plus, if you have a sliding driveway gate, it will need a strong motor to move it.

Just consider that against aluminium which comes pre-treated and requires minimal maintenance.

Aluminium Gates vs Wooden Gates

And when it comes to aluminium gates versus wooden gates, there’s a clear winner.

Wooden gates need some of the highest levels of maintenance. This is because wood can contract or expand depending on temperature and the weather.

This means that wooden gates can crack and rot can develop. If not treated right, these problems can put undue pressure on gate motors. This means you’ll have to maintain both gate and motor.

But, of course, wooden gates still have loads of positives. They can offer a rustic look and a design that doesn’t obstruct your view. It’s just that they need a lot of regular maintenance. 

And even with all that maintenance, they’ll still succumb to age and wear a lot sooner than aluminium gates.

Maintaining Aluminium Gates

We hope this guide has helped explain that aluminium gates are super-easy to maintain. That goes for sliding gates, driveway gates, and even garden gates.

This is because all our BillyOh aluminium gates come powder-coated. This gives them a luxury modern look that’s weather-resistant. All while taking the weight of cleaning and maintenance off your shoulders!

Not only that, but they’re lightweight and easy to install. Compare this to iron and wooden garden gates. Both of which need a lot of maintenance and will deteriorate a lot quicker. Now do you see why we love aluminium gates so much?