Which Material Is Better For Your Gates: Wood Or Metal?

Posted on: 22 March 2021

Gates are a necessary part of any home or business, and there are dozens of different styles and types of gates, but generally, there are only two materials used: metal or wood. This, of course, gives rise to a conversation about which material is better. The answer is that neither material is conclusively better in all cases but it is more of a question of which material is better for you, personally. Here is a quick rundown of the pros and cons of each material that should give you a better framework from which to choose your material from.

Wooden Gates

Wooden gates are generally cheaper, are more customisable and have a lot more range because of the different types of lumber you can choose. They are also a lot lighter, which can be particularly helpful for older Australians. They do not all come in an old-fashioned style either, with many fitting into modern taste pallets with minimalistic designs and darker colours. They can also be integrated into an automatic gate set-up, although this is less common than metal gates because they generally are not as strong.  They can come in any shape or size you wish, as wood is a very malleable material.

Metal Gates

Metal gates have several obvious advantages over wooden alternatives. They are stronger, far more durable in the long term (especially when properly treated), easier to integrate into an automatic system, and better at withstanding forced entries. Having said that, they can become prone to corrosion if they are not given an outer coating, and they are extremely hard to customise once you have had them made. Metal gates also come in a range of styles and options, and you can even choose what type of metal you want, whether that be metal that is less likely to rust but slightly weaker or vice versa. 

So Which Is Best For You?

If you run a commercial business and security is very important to you, then metal gates are an absolute must. On the other hand, if aesthetics are your main concern, then most people would say that wooden gates are more attractive due to their natural appearance. Personal preference is always going to have the final sway over your decision, but make sure you pick a gate that you will be happy with for years to come and that suits the rest of your home. As long as you tick those two requirements off your checklist, you cannot go wrong with either choice. 

To learn more, contact a gate supplier.

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