Material
Aluminium gates: the low-maintenance modern entrance
Aluminium gates weigh roughly a third of equivalent steel, never rust, and take powder coat superbly — which makes them the default for contemporary Surrey homes and for anyone who wants an entrance that needs nothing but a wash-down. Automated aluminium pairs install from £6,500–£9,500; premium boarded designs to £13,000.
Why weight is the quiet advantage
Everything downstream of the leaf gets easier when the leaf is light. A 3.5m aluminium pair typically weighs 60–90kg per leaf against 150–220kg in steel. That means smaller motors running well inside their ratings (they last longer), hinges and posts under less load, gentler force-limit compliance under BS EN 12453, and battery backup that cycles the gates more times in a power cut. Over a 15-year life, the automation on aluminium gates simply has an easier job — our repair statistics bear it out.
And the corrosion answer
Aluminium oxidises into a stable, self-protecting surface layer — it does not rust. Marine-grade alloys with pre-anodising plus polyester powder coat carry 10–25 year finish guarantees. The failure points to inspect on cheap imports are instead the corner joints (should be welded or mechanically bonded, not just glued) and steel fixings creating galvanic spots — we specify stainless throughout.
Design range: aluminium's natural territory is contemporary
| Style | Character | Infill |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal slat / louvre | Privacy with airflow; the modern Surrey default | Full or view-gap boarding |
| Flat panel / flush | Minimalist, often with integrated house number & LED | Solid, wind-load rated |
| Vertical bar | Traditional silhouette without iron's weight | Open infill |
| Timber-effect woodgrain | Cedar/oak look, zero timber maintenance | Powder-coat foil finishes |
Any RAL colour is available; anthracite RAL 7016 dominates, but we're seeing bronze, black-green and two-tone frames on newer builds. For period properties, be honest with yourself: aluminium vertical-bar gates read well from ten metres, but beside genuine ironwork the sections look thin — that's when the iron vs aluminium comparison is worth ten minutes.
Wind loading: the one thing to respect with boarded aluminium
Light weight cuts both ways — a solid-boarded 2m-high leaf is a sail, and aluminium's low mass doesn't damp gusts. On exposed plots (ridge-line properties around the Hog's Back and North Downs are classic cases) we calculate wind area, then either specify view-gap slats, upsize the operator and hinges, or add a wind-rated locking receiver so the closed gate is braced. This calculation is routinely skipped by suppliers selling on price; it's the difference between a gate that shrugs off a storm and one that's off its hinges by January.
Free site survey & fixed quotation
Get a precise price for aluminium gates
Tell us the opening width, whether power is nearby and the style you have in mind. We measure on site, confirm a fixed price in writing, and never sell door-to-door.
Prefer to talk? Call 01483 000 000.
Frequently asked questions
Are aluminium gates strong enough for security?
Yes for residential purposes — modern welded aluminium frames with solid infill resist casual attack comparably to steel of similar design; determined-attack resistance is more about locking, height and climb design than the alloy. See the security guide.
Do aluminium gates fade or chalk?
Quality polyester powder coats are guaranteed 10–25 years against significant fade; south-facing dark colours weather fastest. A twice-yearly wash preserves the guarantee — that's the entire maintenance schedule.
Aluminium vs composite gates?
Composite (WPC) boards on aluminium frames look convincing but expand in heat and can creak; full aluminium with woodgrain powder coat achieves the timber look with better dimensional stability.
What do aluminium gates cost?
Automated pairs from £6,500; premium flush-boarded designs £9,500–£13,000 installed. Line-by-line breakdown on the cost page.