Comparison · Materials
Wrought iron vs aluminium gates: the honest comparison
Wrought iron wins on presence, period authenticity and perceived security; aluminium wins on weight, zero corrosion and maintenance. Cost overlaps more than people expect — premium aluminium meets entry-level iron around £7,000–£9,500 automated. Match the material to the architecture and the maintenance appetite, not to a general 'better'.
Side by side, without the sales gloss
| Factor | Wrought iron | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|
| Kerb presence | Unmatched — mass, shadow, craft detail | Crisp and architectural; thinner sections up close |
| Period property fit | The correct answer on Victorian–Georgian frontages | Reads as a compromise beside original ironwork |
| Contemporary property fit | Possible in flat-bar modern iron | Its home territory |
| Weight (3.5m pair) | 300–450kg | 120–180kg |
| Effect on automation | Bigger motors, underground/hydraulic preferred | Smaller motors running easy — longer life |
| Corrosion | Zinc-protected: excellent; paint-only: poor | None — oxide layer self-protects |
| Maintenance | Wash; coating renewal 10–15 yrs | Wash. That's it |
| Automated pair, installed | £9,500 – £16,000 | £6,500 – £13,000 |
| Realistic lifespan | 30–40+ yrs (protected) | 25–40 yrs |
Decision guidance by property and priority
- Victorian, Edwardian, Georgian or Arts-and-Crafts frontage → iron. Aluminium bar gates beside period brickwork read thin; this is the one context where the material choice is close to objective. Iron detail →
- Contemporary build, boarded privacy design, anthracite palette → aluminium, without hesitation. Aluminium detail →
- Absolute minimum maintenance → aluminium. Iron's 10–15-year recoat is modest but real.
- Heaviest security presence → iron or steel; visual deterrence is part of the security posture, covered in the security guide.
- Budget-led but automated → aluminium starts £3,000 lower for equivalent spans.
The two hybrid answers people forget
Fabricated steel sits between: iron's silhouette and mass at 60–70% of the hand-forged price, with the same zinc-plus-powder protection. And woodgrain or textured aluminium now convincingly delivers timber and even dark-bronze metal aesthetics with aluminium's maintenance profile. If the head says aluminium and the heart says iron, price a steel vertical-bar design before deciding — it resolves more of these stand-offs than any brochure.
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Frequently asked questions
Is aluminium as secure as iron?
For residential threat levels, well-designed aluminium with solid infill and proper locking performs comparably; iron's advantage is deterrent mass and resistance to determined cutting attack. Locking, height and climb design matter more than the alloy at typical risk levels.
Which lasts longer?
Both reach 30–40 years when properly specified. Iron's life is set by its coating system; aluminium's by joint quality and hardware. Neglected paint-only iron fails first; cheap glued-corner aluminium fails second.
Which is better for automation?
Aluminium, mechanically — lighter leaves mean smaller, longer-lived motors. Iron automates excellently too; it simply asks for the correct (dearer) operator class.