26 Jul How to Choose Between Wooden & Steel Gates

When looking to install gates and railings on your property, it’s crucial to ensure that you choose the best option for your needs. Whether the most important thing for you is ensuring that the aesthetic matches your existing property, or you care more about the security of your property, choosing the best material for your gate to be made from is vital.

Baker Steel Trading’s team of experienced structural steel fabricators can design, manufacture and install many different types of steel gates, which have plenty of benefits due to the properties of structural steel that make them popular with property owners. We’ve created a guide that compares them to wooden gates to explore both options’ advantages and disadvantages and hopefully help you decide which is best for your needs.

Comparing Different Gate Types

Property owners looking to replace or install gates often narrow the available option down to wooden and steel gates. As the two most popular types of gates available to property owners, it’s essential to understand the pros and cons of both wooden and steel gates.

As we’re a team of structural steel fabricators, Baker Steel Trading have a lot of appreciation for steel gates; however, that doesn’t mean that wooden gates don’t have their benefits.

Take a look through our comparisons below, and use the information to make a decision that you’ll appreciate for years to come.

What are the Security Benefits?

For many people, installing a gate onto their property is driven by a desire for added security. Therefore, it’s vital to understand how the different properties of wooden and steel gates can provide you with peace of mind.

Security is one of the main benefits of installing a structural steel gate onto your property. The strength and durability of the alloy help create a solid barrier that provides excellent security for your property. Steel gates can also often feature locks in their designs or, at the very least, can easily have a lock attached, providing an extra level of protection to your property.

Depending on the type of wood used, a wooden gate can also be very sturdy, providing a natural barrier to your home. However, on average, wood is a weaker material than structural steel, making wooden gates slightly less secure than their alternative. On the positive side, the design of wooden gates often provides added security, as wooden panels can be challenging to climb, making it harder for anyone to invade your property.

Is it Low Maintenance?

One of the leading comparison points between wooden and steel gates is their durability and protection against the elements, as no one wants to spend their spare time repairing gates on their property when there are alternatives that require very little work.

Most homeowners have had to stain and seal wooden garden products at some point, as the material begins to degrade as it ages. The same is often true for wooden gates, as they’re exposed to the elements and deteriorate because of that. Wood expands in hot weather, absorbs moisture when it rains, often resulting in a rotten gate or an insect infestation unless regular care and maintenance are applied.

In comparison, steel gates are very reliable, especially when they’re coated in particular materials or galvanised to provide rust resistance. As a material, structural steel has properties that mean it’s resistant to extreme weather conditions, remaining strong and protecting your property for many years to come.

Can you get Bespoke Designs?

It’s important to remember that the security and durability of gates aren’t the only things to assess, as you will probably drive in and out of the gates every day. Therefore, they need to be attractive.

The natural aesthetic of wooden gates appeals to many property owners, especially when installing the gates in their homes. As a raw material, wood often creates a warm visual appeal and provides excellent flexibility for customisation as your tastes change.

Before you write wooden gates off as the most attractive option, it’s crucial to understand the appeal of steel gates too. Structural steel gates can be made in many different designs thanks to the steel fabrication process to avoid looking overly cold or industrial. This means that homeowners can enjoy the other benefits of steel gates whilst also getting a fully bespoke design for them and their guests to enjoy.

Steel Gate Fabrication & Installation

When it comes down to the decision, choosing between structural steel and wooden gates can be difficult and entirely depends on your personal tastes. If you can see the appeal of structural steel gates and understand their long term benefits for you and your property, Baker Steel Trading are here to help. Our team of experienced structural steel fabricators will be happy to discuss the options available for adding stylish and durable steel gates to your property.

Contact us today for more information.