Ten Reasons to Choose Aluminium Gates Instead Of Wooden Gates
There comes a point where a better technology, premium material or new building method becomes as economical as its less effective but traditionally cheaper alternatives.
For many years, wooden gates have been chosen instead of aluminium gates. The many significant benefits of aluminium gates were outweighed by a price difference that could make or break a deal.
Today, that cost difference has gone, so there is no reason not to consider aluminium gates.
What are those reasons? Well, here are ten of the most important to start with:
Just like wooden gates, aluminium gates can be made in a huge range of designs thanks to their modular construction.
Star Aluminium Gates are available in Classic, Contemporary and Modern ranges with a full bespoke design service also available.
Aluminium finishes are weather resistant and can be created in nearly all RAL colours or with a realistic wood-effect.
The standard range of colours for Star Aluminium Gates includes anthracite grey, brown, green, white and red. In addition, most other colours from the RAL colour chart can be produced. Wood-effect finishes come in a wide range of wood patterns including Light Oak, Dark Oak, Golden Oak, Light Nut, Dark Nut and Walnut.
As the price point for aluminium gates is now comparable to hardwood gates, the cost effectiveness of aluminium gates is obvious. Over its lifetime, an aluminium gate will not suffer from the issues commonly faced by wooden gates. It won’t warp, rot, shrink, expand, crack or discolour like wooden gates. So it will not require the expensive maintenance needed to keep wooden gates in reasonable condition.
Star Aluminium Gates’ prices are comparable to hardwood gates.
Aluminium gates simply need a periodic wipe down with a wet cloth to stay looking new.
Aluminium naturally forms a thin layer of oxidation on its surface which effectively seals the material and protects the aluminium extending its life span. As well, unlike wooden gates, aluminium gates will not absorb water, one of the main causes of degradation in wooden gates.
Star Aluminium Gates are supplied with a surface coating that provides the finished design and look of your chosen gates but also gives them an incredibly tough protective layer. These finishes all meet the strict requirements of the Qualicoat quality standard for aluminium coatings.
Wooden gates are natural and look wonderful when new but tend to deteriorate over time even with appropriate maintenance. An equivalent aluminium gate will maintain its look over the same period and more.
All gates in the Star Aluminium Gates range come with ten year guarantees on their finishes and five years on the gate structure.
The low weight and modular design of aluminium gates makes installation easy. A simple process of drilling appropriate holes and using threaded inserts called riv-nuts allows gate automation rack and accessories to be easily fitted. While aluminium can be welded, using threaded inserts is simpler and quicker. Only traditional tools are required.
This method of installation is not only easy, it is also strong. This can’t be said for wooden gates since joints can be affected by rot over a period of time which will make them weak and susceptible to breaking.
Thanks again to their low weight, which requires less force to open, close and stop them, aluminium gates are simple to automate. 24Vdc systems with obstacle detection are ideal for aluminium gates. These are not always sufficient for a similar wooden gate. If a more powerful system is required it will cost more.
It is also straightforward to fit the automation using threaded inserts. All attachments to the gate, rackets for the swing gates and racking for the sliding gates can be made quickly and securely.
StarGates can provide advice on the right automation for your aluminium gate and supply the automation kit.
One of the principle issues with gate safety concerns the weight of gates and the force required to open, close or stop them. The lighter the gate the less energy it will need to move or stop, therefore the safer it will be. Aluminium is incredibly light and strong for its weight compared to hardwood. Aluminium gates are made from hollow sections that also help to keep their weight down. As safety is one of the primary concerns for anyone considering gates used by the public or large numbers of residents, employees and visitors, aluminium gates provide the perfect solution.
The modular construction of aluminium gates gives them a construction similar to that of wooden gates. Each individual section is assembled into the finished gate which is held together by hidden fixings. Damaged sections are simply removed and replaced by unbolting the appropriate components, removing the damaged sections and replacing them before reassembling the gate.
Aluminium gates are now similarly priced to wooden gates. They provide the designs and finish of wooden gates without the maintenance issues. As a result, homeowners, businesses, councils and other owners of gated premises are replacing their tired wooden gates with aluminium alternatives.
StarGates aluminium range http://stargateuk.net/