The number of choices available for gates can be overwhelming. When looking to buy one, it’s important to understand the practicality of each option rather than getting lost in the aesthetics. Increasingly, metal gates for both homes and businesses are still a popular option but determining the most functionable choice for your circumstances requires discretion beyond just visuals.
Why Metal Still Wins Best
There is a reason gates made of metal still win most of the market for gates in homes and businesses. Timber spoils, composite materials look fake, plastic gates don’t convey the image most property owners want. Metal gates win in each category. Out of the materials available, a steel or aluminium gate is the most cost-effective choice for a gate as they will still be functioning decades after installation.
Security is always a factor that must be considered. For commercial properties, this is most likely the primary factor. A properly made and installed metal gate is a boundary that is a deterrent to entry rather than just a symbolic barrier. From a street, a gate must look good and for homes, balance the aesthetics with the peace of mind that the gate will discourage entry from would be opportunistic thieves.
Steel Vs Aluminium and the Actual Difference
People when starting their research, probably assume that steel will always be heavy-duty option, and Aluminium will be the option that is prioritising looks and cutting corners. But this is formulating an overly simplistic idea. Aluminium gates that are modern are very robust, and steel is not always as strong as many would assume.
Steel is the best option when an installation is larger and if durability is required the most. Storage facilities, industrial units, and commercial yards often prefer steel, and that is because it does not exhibit wear and tear. The automation is not always a major issue, but the weight as steel gates require larger, more expensive motors. In coastal and high-steel rust environments of the past, powder coating will be a major issue now as it has solved steel’s problems.
Automation, Is It Worth It or Should It Be Avoided?
Electric gates will always cost more than installing a manual gate at any given entrance. To determine whether it is worth it, we have to consider the circumstances. It is rare, and there are very few situations where we can apply a universal principle here.
Automating processes is helpful for many businesses. Controlling staff access, managing deliveries, and increasing operational efficiencies are usually profitable within the first several months. Residential properties, however, are more complicated. If you are on a busy street where waiting to open a gate causes traffic problems, automation alleviates a real daily annoyance. The same is true for elderly residents and those with poor mobility; for them, automated gates are more helpful than just a convenience.
There have been a number of advancements in automation technology, making it more user friendly and safer. Unique smartphone access control installations allow you to grant access remotely, which is very convenient for deliveries and tradespeople. Quality installations keep routine maintenance to a minimum.
The Installation Reality
Aside from niche cases, most installations of walking gates are not as complicated as the installation of driveable gates. However, the installation of pedestrian gates is often followed by the installation of driveable gates, and without significant experience in metalworking and fabrication as well as design, the installation is likely to not be successful. The alignment of hinging gates requires extreme vertical and lateral precision, and the electrical systems used in automating systems require specialised electrical experience.
Taking time to assess what you really need—rather than what looks good in a showroom—usually leads to better outcomes. Metal gates are a purchase you will live with for years to come. Not completing the task in a short time frame really does not matter. Getting it right does.
