Metal Driveway Gates: A Brief Buyer's Guide

Installing a metal driveway gate is an attractive and functional addition to enhance the security and aesthetic of your property entrance. When purchasing a metal gate, there are a few key considerations as a buyer. Follow this brief guide to make the right selection for your needs and budget.

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Gate Size and TypeThe first decision is the size and type of metal gate needed. Measure the driveway entrance to determine the gate width. Also decide on a single swing gate, double swing gate, sliding gate, or another style. Swing gates take up less space than sliding gates, but sliding can be convenient if opening room is limited.

Popular metal gate types include:

&#; Ornamental iron &#; Wrought iron with decorative flourishes. Durable and aesthetically pleasing.

&#; Tubular steel &#; Hollow metal tubes welded together into designs. Affordable option.

&#; Aluminum &#; Lightweight, rust resistant, and low maintenance. Ideal for coastal climates.

&#; Chain link &#; Mesh woven from galvanized steel wire. Very secure and cost effective.

Material and DurabilityIron, steel, and aluminum are common metals, each with different visual appeal, weight, and durability. Wrought iron and steel offer classic elegance. Aluminum is lightweight but susceptible to dents. Consider the climate and your budget when choosing materials. Also, look at the quality of welds and joints. A company focusing on gate fabrication in california will offer clean welding that indicates solid fabrication.

Coating and FinishUncoated metal can rust and corrode. Select a durable coating like powder coating, galvanization, or paint to protect the gate. More frequent repainting and maintenance is needed for basic paint finishes. For coastal regions, choose a marine-grade finish to prevent rust caused by salt air. The coating or paint color impacts the overall look as well.

Hardware and AccessoriesDon&#;t overlook the importance of high-quality latches, hinges, rollers, and other hardware. These affect functionality, security, and longevity. Self-closing hinges for swing gates and soft-close mechanisms for sliding gates provide convenience and safety. Keypads, video intercoms, or smart home technology can upgrade access and security.

Fabrication and Installation Professional fabrication and installation is recommended to ensure proper fitting, functionality, safety, and aesthetics. Reputable manufacturers will usually handle both fabrication and installation. If sourcing separately, verify a contractor&#;s credentials, experience, and references for installing driveway gates.

In California, excellent fabrication shops can design and build custom metal gates made to order. Look for experienced welders and fabricators knowledgeable in working with various metals. They will have the expertise to construct structurally sound and creatively designed gates tailored to your specifications. Quality shops use advanced tools like CNC plasma cutters to cut and shape metal with precision. They can fabricate single gates or grand entryways with complex ornamental metalwork.

CostsSolid steel or iron gates start around $1,500 for a basic 6-foot swing gate, with more intricate designs averaging $3,000 to $4,000. Aluminum is generally cheaper. Automation and smart technology increase costs. Overall pricing depends on gate size, materials, accessories, site conditions, labor, and regional factors. Get quotes from several manufacturers and installers to compare.

With an understanding of the options and costs, you can choose metal driveway gates that enhance security, match your home&#;s style, and fit your budget. Investing in quality materials and professional installation will ensure long-lasting function and beauty. Take time to carefully consider the different gate types, sizes, materials, finishes, and features available to make the right selection for your specific needs and driveway. Proper measuring and planning, along with consultation with gate fabrication experts, will result in durable, visually appealing, and functional metal gates that provide security and elegance at your home&#;s entrance for years to come.

Buying Guide

At Garden Gates Direct, we understand that the primary role of a gate, fence or railing is to provide security. We also recognise it is also essential to look good. Choosing the right design can add value to your property, but getting it wrong can leave your home looking out of character and, therefore, less desirable.

Choosing the Material

Unless you are familiar with the terminology used on our website, selecting the appropriate material that suits your requirements is more challenging than it may first appear. With many influencing factors needing to be considered, it is easy to base your purchase on price alone. However, this can prove costly regarding the level of security you may achieve, the practicality of the gates and how durable they may be when exposed to the ever-changing UK weather. 

With this in mind, we have compiled the following information to help you make the right purchasing decision.

Timber Gates Explained

Within our range of gates constructed from wooden components, we have numerous options, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Here we take a closer look.

Softwood (untreated) Gate Designs

Most of our wooden gate designs are constructed using smooth-planed Scandinavian Redwood. This proves to be the most cost-effective solution for the end customer as it is a readily available timber. However, it's crucial to understand that this timber needs more upkeep than steel gates or those manufactured from pressure-treated wood. In addition to painting or staining the gate, you will need to repeat this procedure every 18 months to 2 years (or sooner if in an exposed area). This is to prevent the wood from deteriorating from exposure to the unfavourable (and typically wet) UK environment.

Pressure Treated Timber Gates

Constructed using the same Scandinavian Redwood as detailed above, our pressure-treated range of gates offers higher levels of protection against the elements than an untreated variation. This is because the timber is injected with a preservative to help prevent rot and decay. The downside is that due to this process, the gates have a greenish stain that does not take stain/varnish very well.

This is normal and cannot be avoided. However, the colour will fade over time. If you want to stain the gate, we suggest this is completed when the timber has returned to a more natural colour. This will help prevent the green preservative from bleeding through to the surface, affecting the finished appearance of your new gates. The additional cost is the only other negative point of having the gates supplied pressure treated.

If you are interested in this gate type, we have several affordable designs online, including the Drayton Wooden Estate Gates, Hampton Wooden Garden Gate and Windsor Wooden Side Gate.

Timber Gate Construction

When choosing a new gate, consider whether security, cost or design will play a significant role in your purchasing decision. Remember that not all gates are made the same, with some constructed from far stronger and thicker materials than others. Here we detail the 2 most common types.

Are you interested in learning more about ornamental metal gates? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Ledge & Braced Designs

This type of wooden gate is the most basic of designs however remains an affordable and robust option for the homeowner working to a budget. They feature a simple construction comprising vertical boars clad to timber bracing on the back face (hence the name). 

The drawback is that they are only available up to a width of mm (3ft 6&#;) because anything wider (and heavier) than this will result in the gate wanting to sag under its own weight. 

Take a look at some of our popular ledge and braced designs.

Framed Gates

These gates offer superior strength and more design possibilities than the ledge and braced design mentioned above. They are constructed using time-proven joinery techniques such as mortise and tenon joints and will provide an affordable yet effective means of securing entrances around your home whilst retaining a price you can afford.

Framed gates are constructed with a 3-4&#; outer framework and additional rear bracing. A recessed infill panel (usually made up of tongue and groove boards) is then fixed to the framework. Sometimes, timber is combined with decorative steel elements such as finials and spiral bars to achieve a more elevated aesthetic appeal.

Click here to view our wide range of framed wooden gates for sale within our online shop 

Metal Gates Explained

Our online shop has hundreds of sizes and design options to choose from when buying a metal gate for your garden or driveway. With massive price differences here, we have detailed the main characteristics to look out for when purchasing.

Specification

As a general rule of thumb, the more expensive the gate, the higher the specification. This means that a cheap metal gate at only £50 will be nowhere near as solid and rigid as one priced at £500, so please do not confuse the two.

With this in mind, if you have a particular requirement, please pay close attention to the steel specification within the product description of each design. 

• 10mm infill bars or less will be mainly decorative, 
• 12mm infill bars will provide a medium level of strength and security
• 16mm infill bars are our most robust and heavy-duty designs and will provide excellent levels of strength and rigidity.

Size

With many size options available online to suit the most common opening widths, you should be able to find something to suit your requirements in no time at all. If you don&#;t find what you are looking for, look at our made-to-measure gates page. If you doubt what will best suit your needs or do not know what to choose, please fill in our online enquiry form, and we will be on hand to provide assistance.

Common Metal Gate Designs 

Within our range of products, we have numerous design options to choose from. In fact, the only style we do not currently offer is sliding gates. Here we take a look at what options are available to choose from.

Finishes

• Wooden Gates &#; Unless stated in the product description, all our timber gate designs are supplied untreated and unfinished. At this time, we do not offer a staining or painting service.
• Metal Gates, Garden Railings and Fence Panels &#; We have pre-finished zinc-plated and black powder-coated products and a range of primed options for sale on this website. On each product page, we will detail the type of finish included. Please note if you select any product with a black primed undercoat, you will need to paint all exposed surfaces to protect against rust and corrosion. If you do not paint them, the steel will begin to rust once exposed to the elements (this is not a manufacturing fault).

Ordering Sizes

To avoid any costly ordering mistakes, please ensure you fully understand the information below or refer to our comprehensive measuring guide section.

Metal Gates

The sizes listed in the drop-down box within each product page detail the SIZE OF THE OPENING THE GATE WILL FIT INTO. It does not represent the physical width of the gate, so please distinguish the 2, as you will order the wrong size.

Wooden Gates

All timber products are detailed by the physical width and height of the gate. No allowance has been made for the additional space you will need for the hinges and latch, so make sure you factor this in when choosing the appropriate size.

If you are unsure, please get in touch with us for advice or refer to the measuring guide for more detailed information on this subject.

Further Reading

To further guide you through the order process, we have compiled many additional valuable pages that you may wish to read. If so, click the links below to navigate to the relevant topic.

Choosing the Material

Choosing the Style

Consider Security

Adding Privacy

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