What is the best metal for an outdoor gate?

A gate is like the front door to your rental property&#;s outdoor living space. A well-chosen gate offers prospective tenants a good first impression and effortlessly blends both form and function. But what is the best material for a gate for your single-family rental property? There are many gate materials to choose from, each with both pros and cons. And all rental homes are different, which means there is no one right answer. However, by looking in detail at your gate material options, you can more easily determine which one is the right choice for your rental home. When choosing the best material for your property&#;s gate, it is important to keep both aesthetics and practical use in mind. A gate should be attractive, but it will also get a lot of use, so both appearance and durability are key considerations. Gates add security and privacy to a property, which makes them a good investment, but different materials offer different returns on that investment. In what follows, we&#;ll look at these pros and cons in terms of some of the most popular gate materials: wood, vinyl, steel, and aluminum.

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Wood

One of the most popular materials used for both gates and fences is wood. With careful design, wood gates can create a beautiful entryway into your property&#;s outdoor space. Wood also has wide appeal because it is sturdy, natural, and affordable. There are many different types of wood to choose from, each with its own benefits. Wood can be painted or varnished in a wide range of colors and finishes, and if properly maintained, can last for many years in most climates. Out of the available options for gate materials, a wood gate will likely require the smallest up-front investment and add instant value and appeal to your property. Despite its many advantages, however, wood gates will require a high degree of maintenance. Wood gates must be painted or varnished regularly or risk becoming an eyesore. As wood ages, it also becomes susceptible to other problems, including warping, rotting, insect damage, and fire. Depending on the type of wood you choose, you may need to replace your gate in as few as five years, or it may last for fifteen years or more. As a rule, higher-quality hardwood will cost more upfront but could last more than a decade longer than softer, more susceptible woods.

Vinyl

Another highly popular material choice for gates is vinyl. Like wood, vinyl is widely used for its durability; a vinyl gate could last for up to thirty years if properly maintained. Unlike wood, however, vinyl is very low maintenance. Most vinyl is color tinted in the factory, which means that a quality vinyl will retain its original appearance for many years, no painting required. If it gets dirty, vinyl can be cleaned easily with a garden hose. Other benefits of vinyl include a high degree of resistance to weather and insect damage. Of course, all these benefits will come at a price. Like wood, vinyl gates come in a wide range of types, but a quality vinyl gate will probably cost more upfront than a wood one will. Poor quality vinyl can be damaged by UV rays and extreme temperatures (hot or cold). Other potential drawbacks are that vinyl comes in a limited selection of colors and is less natural-looking than wood.

Steel

If strength and durability are your top priorities, you can&#;t do better than a steel gate. Steel is easily the strongest material for a gate, meaning it will hold up well under heavy use or extreme weather &#; or both. Steel gates can last as long as seventy years if properly maintained, and if repairs are needed, can be welded to restore any age-related loss of integrity. Steel also offers an upgraded beauty and sense of safety to a property, attracting tenants who plan to stay for many years. All that appeal and safety is a trade-off for the cost of such durability, however. A steel gate is a significant investment, potentially the most expensive option of the four discussed in this article. It is also heavy and difficult to transport, and requires regular sanding and maintenance to retain its curb appeal. A steel gate may also not be the best choice in coastal climates, as salt exposure could cause it to corrode over time.

Aluminum

If steel is not the right choice for your property, consider the benefits of an aluminum gate. In many ways, aluminum combines the benefits of vinyl and steel. It is lightweight and low-maintenance, like vinyl, but it can be welded and shaped like other metals. Aluminum doesn&#;t corrode or crack and is very fade resistant. Many property owners like aluminum because of how easy it is to work with and how long it lasts. Depending on the grade and style of aluminum you choose, your gate could easily outlast any other material. That long life only comes with higher quality aluminum, however, which is not cheap. You can expect to pay nearly as much as you would for a steel gate for a good quality aluminum gate. While there are less expensive options available, lower grades of aluminum are not as strong and are often easily dented or bent. While each type of gate material comes with both pros and cons, in most cases longevity and aesthetics must be carefully weighed against the initial cost of the gate to determine which is the right choice for your rental property. While you may be tempted to choose the lowest priced option, it is important to note that such options will require replacement more frequently. For this reason, keeping a long-term perspective on all of your rental property improvements can help you better determine which will work best. For more information or for assistance with any rental property improvements, contact a Real Property Management office near you.  

Wood Driveway Gates: Privacy, Warmth, and Natural Beauty

Wood gates are ideal if you&#;re seeking privacy and a warm, natural look. When fabricating wooden driveway gates, we start with a sturdy steel frame and wrap it with western red cedar, mahogany, or Brazilian ipe. Here are some key factors to consider:

Appearance &#; Wood has a welcoming feel and ages gracefully. Over time, wood gates can take on an earthy, weathered tone that adds character. At Tri State Gate, our go-to wood is select-grade clear western red cedar, which ranges in color from mellow ambers to reddish cinnamons. Mahogany is an even stronger wood with a rich, reddish-brown color and nice grain patterns; we use it on request. We also work in Brazilian ipe, nicknamed &#;Ironwood&#; for its durability. Generally, wood gates are painted with one coat of primer and two coats of finish for any standard outdoor paint color. (You can provide us with the exact color formula; paint from Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore is preferred.) Staining is a great option for higher-grade woods as it accentuates the natural grain of the material. You can also leave your gates unstained or painted, in which case they&#;ll slowly age over the years into a natural gray color.

Maintenance &#; Cedar, ipe, and mahogany are all known for their longevity. Cedar resists warping, twisting, and checking better than many other wood species, and it contains natural oils that help resist rot and insect damage. Mahogany (being a harder wood) resists rot even better. Ipe is one of the densest hardwoods around &#; so much so that it has a Class A fire rating, the same rating given to concrete and steel. Wood gates typically need to be painted and stained every 5-7 years, or about as often as you paint your house. This maintenance isn&#;t required, however, if you leave them unstained.

Privacy &#; Wood inherently offers more privacy than metal. When looking at a wood gate (regardless of style), your eye naturally stops at the gate. In comparison, the open design of most metal gates encourages you to look beyond. To ensure structural integrity and privacy over time, we typically fabricate vertical wood panels using tongue and groove construction. Unlike with simple board-on-board construction, in which spaces can form between panels due to natural expansion and contraction caused by weather, with tongue and groove construction any gaps are hidden by the &#;tongue&#; extending out past the board.

Environmental Friendliness &#; Our woods are sourced from sustainable farms.

Cost &#; Because our wooden driveway gates have a steel frame, they&#;re essentially two gates in one. As a result, they&#;re often more expensive than a basic iron gate. However, wood gates have a smaller variation in cost. Metal gates, on the other hand, offer a greater variety of design options and can get much more expensive than wood gates.

See some of our wooden driveway gate designs in our photo gallery for ideas.

Metal Driveway Gates: A Reputation for Strength and Elegance

We specialize in custom-designed wrought iron, aluminum, steel, and bronze driveway gates &#; all meticulously crafted to complement the unique dimensions and architectural spirit of your property.

Our stainless steel gates are polished by hand in our shop to give them a reflective finish that captures the light. Aluminum gates, like stainless steel, will never rust, and can be made in a variety of styles (though most people opt for simpler, more modern designs with aluminum).

For customers who want a more classical look, we also work in bronze, which develops a dark patina with time &#; something that can be developed in advance before installation for customers who request it.

One of the longest-lasting materials available, wrought iron is prized for its durability. Opting for a wrought-iron driveway gate allows for a wide range of custom gate designs, from ornate loops to modern lines to unique sculptural elements. The open nature of iron gate designs is ideal if you want to showcase your property.

Appearance &#; Whether it&#;s a simple, elegant design or an elaborate custom work, an iron gate adds instant curb appeal that can boost your property&#;s value. The openness offers a window into your property and makes the entrance feel spacious.

Maintenance &#; Iron is a tough metal that can withstand heavy use and harsh conditions. When properly cared for, iron gates can last for generations. Wrought iron must be painted to avoid rusting and flaking: our wrought iron is hot dip galvanized, which adds a zinc coating to the metal that prevents oxidation, then covered with one coat of primer and two coats of finish. Like with wood, repainting is recommended every 5-7 years. Steel, aluminum, and bronze, on the other hand, are naturally resistant to rust and corrosion and therefore require slightly less upkeep.

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Privacy &#; Most metal driveway gates don&#;t conceal your property, but that&#;s a feature, not a bug: a gate you can see through shows off your estate and allows you to easily monitor what&#;s happening on the other side. For homeowners who want the strength and durability of metal combined with privacy, we can fashion solid metal panel gates in wrought iron or aluminum.

Environmental Friendliness &#; Metals are recyclable and reusable.

Cost &#; Costs vary widely depending on size, customization, and your choice of metal. Iron gates with simple designs are fairly inexpensive while ornate design features can lead to significantly higher costs. Aluminum and steel are generally more expensive than wrought iron, but they also lend themselves to less ornate, more modern designs which can help keep down costs. Bronze, while the most expensive of the four, is often used for accents rather than for entire gates.

Take a look at our photo gallery of wrought-iron driveway gate designs for ideas.

Composite Gates: Eco-Friendly and Low Maintenance

Composite gates look almost identical to wood gates but require less maintenance. This ideal scenario comes with a higher cost, but if you value low upkeep it&#;s a worthwhile investment.

Appearance &#; While wood has natural grain and composite does not, it&#;s almost impossible to tell the difference after both materials are painted. Composite is naturally white and must be painted &#; you can choose from a full spectrum of paint colors, but staining is not an option.

Maintenance &#; Tri State Gate&#;s composite gates are made from lightweight yet dense PVC material that will never rot. Unlike low-grade PVC composite, which is hollow, our composite is completely solid and built around a steel frame, making for an extremely durable and highly weather-resistant driveway entry gate.

Privacy &#; Similar to wood gates, more privacy can be achieved by placing the panels closer together (or go for full privacy by using tongue and groove construction). To balance a private yet open feel, consider pairing a solid tongue-and-groove bottom with a picket-style topper (as seen in the photo above).

Environmental Friendliness &#; No lumber needed; composite is made with recyclable materials and is highly eco-friendly.

Cost &#; Composite driveway gates cost more than wooden driveway gates, largely because they require more labor to construct. However, this higher up-front cost is offset by less maintenance over the life of the gate.

See some of our composite gate installations in Tri State Gate&#;s product gallery.

FAQs about Choosing the Best Materials for Driveway Gates

What Is the Most Secure Material for a Driveway Gate?

Our gates are all either built of metal or have metal cores underneath wood or composite that make them safe, secure, and dependable. If home security is one of your top priorities, we offer a wide range of security features that reinforce that protection. Organizations such as the FBI, the Secret Service, the United Nations, and the Department of Homeland Security have turned to us for gates to keep their properties safe.

How Long Do Driveway Gates Last?

Our gates are built to last. Gates made out of a hard wood like mahogany can last up to 50 years with regular painting, staining, and sealing every 5 to 7 years. Composite gates have a similar lifespan, though they require less maintenance over that course of time. (They do still require regular cleaning, a new coat of paint every few years, and occasional inspections for damage or everyday wear and tear.) Metal gates last the longest of all: stainless steel and aluminum are naturally resistant to rust and corrosion, and wrought iron, with proper care, can last for generations. (This wrought iron fence near the New York Stock Exchange predates the Revolutionary War.)

Does a Driveway Gate Increase Home Value?

Absolutely. A high-quality driveway gate significantly improves the value of your home by enhancing your curb appeal, bolstering your home security, and complementing the aesthetics of your house. Driveway gates are a symbol of luxury and exclusivity &#; they make a powerful first impression on anyone evaluating the value of your property.

Can I Paint or Stain My Driveway Gate?

Wood driveway gates can be either stained or painted depending on whether you want to show off the natural color and grain of the material. Composite gates can&#;t be stained, but they do need to be painted. Our wrought iron gates are hot dip galvanized to prevent oxidation then covered with primer and two coats of paint to protect them from the elements (though the paint is usually black or bronze tone to fit the material).

Which Is Better: Wrought Iron or Aluminum Gates?

Wrought iron is the most popular choice for metal gates, and for good reason: it&#;s durable, dependable, and highly customizable. It&#;s been the go-to choice for metal gates for hundreds of years, which steeps it in a long history and tradition of classical aesthetics. Also, while costs can vary based on a variety of factors, wrought iron can be customized more cost effectively than aluminum, which means you can get more unique and intricate designs at lower expense.

Aluminum, on the other hand, can offer both more privacy and a more modern look for your entry gate. Although the material costs more than wrought iron, aluminum gates won&#;t rust and thus require less maintenance, making them a good investment in the long run if you can manage the higher initial cost.

What Is the Ideal Driveway Gate Size?

The typical driveway gate is about 14-18 feet across. However, the total amount of space you&#;ll need will vary depending on whether you&#;re getting a swing gate or a sliding gate. Sliding gates, for instance, typically need about 150% of the entire width of your driveway available in fence space to the left or right of the driveway (for example, 30 feet on the side for a 20-foot entrance). Swing gates, on the other hand, require a certain amount of unobstructed driveway space inside the gate in order to swing inward as they open.

Let Tri State Help You Choose the Best Material for Your Driveway Gate

For over 25 years, Tri State Gate in Westchester County, NY has specialized in installing, repairing, and custom-designing automated driveway gates in communities throughout Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and the greater New England area. Contact us or give us a call at (914) 244- for more information or to request a free, on-site consultation.

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