Pillar service · Traditional metalwork
Bespoke wrought iron gates, forged for Surrey properties
Guildford Gates fabricates bespoke wrought iron driveway and pedestrian gates for Guildford and Surrey — hand-worked scrolls, finials and period detailing on a hot-zinc-sprayed or galvanised steel core, finished in polyester powder coat or wet paint. Prices run £3,000–£8,000 supply-only for a driveway pair, or £9,500–£16,000 automated and installed.
What "wrought iron" actually means today — and why it matters to your quote
True puddled wrought iron hasn't been produced commercially in Britain since the 1970s. Modern "wrought iron" gates are fabricated from mild steel, worked with traditional techniques — scrolling, forging, riveting, collaring. This matters for two reasons.
First, honesty: any installer claiming genuine wrought iron at ordinary prices is describing steel. Second, protection: mild steel rusts faster than historic iron, so the treatment system — not the metal — determines whether your gates last eight years or forty. We hot-zinc spray or hot-dip galvanise every gate before coating; skipping this step is the single biggest cause of premature failure in Surrey's damp climate.
Construction details that separate quality ironwork
- Solid bar, not hollow tube — 16mm+ solid infill bars ring true and resist denting; tube gates sound and age cheap.
- Forged scrolls with tapered ends, not machine-bent constant-section curls.
- Collared or riveted joints at decorative intersections rather than blob welds ground flat.
- Drainage holes in every closed section, so condensation escapes instead of rusting from the inside.
Design languages we work in
Surrey's housing stock spans Arts and Crafts, Victorian villa, Georgian rectory and contemporary build. The gate should belong to the house, so we design from the architecture outward:
| Style | Signature elements | Suits | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estate / park railing | Plain verticals, ball or spear finials, restrained top rail | Georgian & large plots | Understated, timeless |
| Victorian scroll | C- and S-scrolls, dog bars, fleur-de-lis | Victorian & Edwardian villas | Ornate, period-correct |
| Arts and Crafts | Hand-hammered texture, honest joints, simple geometry | 1900–1930s Surrey homes | Craft-forward |
| Contemporary iron | Flat bar, strong horizontals, minimal ornament | Modern builds | Iron without pastiche |
Every design is drawn to scale for approval before fabrication. For listed properties or conservation areas we prepare drawings suitable for a planning submission — see the planning permission guide.
Finish system: the 25-year specification
- Shot-blast to SA2.5 bright metal.
- Hot-zinc spray (or hot-dip galvanise for coastal-exposed or fully closed sections).
- Etch primer to key the zinc.
- Polyester powder coat, typically satin black RAL 9005 — though heritage greens, graphite and estate blue are increasingly specified.
This system is why we can supply gates that need nothing more than a wash-down for a decade, versus painted-only gates that bubble at the welds within three winters. Touch-up kits are supplied with every installation.
Automating wrought iron gates
Iron pairs are heavy — a 4m ornate pair can exceed 400kg — which shapes the automation choice. We typically specify underground motors (CAME Frog, FAAC 770) to keep the ironwork visually clean, or hydraulic rams where piers are deep enough to hide them. Hinges are upgraded to sealed bearing units before any motor is fitted, because automation exposes every gram of hinge friction, every day, hundreds of times.
Full automation detail lives on the electric gates page; costs are broken down on the wrought iron cost page.
Free site survey & fixed quotation
Get a precise price for wrought iron 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
How long do wrought iron gates last?
Galvanised and powder-coated steel gates routinely last 30–40 years structurally. The coating is the maintenance item: expect a recoat every 10–15 years depending on exposure.
Are wrought iron gates worth it versus aluminium?
Iron wins on presence, security and period authenticity; aluminium wins on weight and zero rust. Our comparison page sets out the trade-offs honestly.
Can you match existing railings or a period design?
Yes — matching existing ironwork is roughly a third of our fabrication work. We survey the original sections, profile the bars and scrolls, and replicate collars and finials.
Do iron gates rust?
Untreated or paint-only gates rust quickly in Surrey's climate. Zinc-protected gates do not rust through; at worst the coating chips and is touched up.
What do bespoke iron gates cost?
Supply-only driveway pairs run £3,000–£8,000 depending on height, bar weight and ornament; automated and installed, £9,500–£16,000 is typical. Full modelling on the cost page.