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Gates are often the first thing people notice when they see a house. So, what kind of garden gates should you get?
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
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?
Why Choose Aluminium Gates
As well as looking great, aluminium gates have some truly remarkable qualities that set them apart as a choice for your home:
Strong aluminium gates
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!
Lightweight
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:
- It’s easier to install due to its lightweight nature.
- It’s cheaper to operate with an electric motor, and it won’t need an expensive system.
- Lightweight drivewat gates are more straightforward to open manually.
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.
Durability
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.
Reasonably priced
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.
Low maintenance
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!
Weather-resistant aluminium gates
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.
Round-up
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.
