5 Surprising Truths About Metal Gates You Need to Know Before You Buy

Introduction: The Dream vs. The Reality

For many homeowners, installing a new metal gate is the final, perfect touch on their property—a statement of security, style, and pride. You envision a beautifully crafted gate swinging open, enhancing your home’s kerb appeal while providing peace of mind. But this seemingly straightforward project is filled with hidden complexities and potential pitfalls.

The gap between the gate you dream of and the one you actually get can be wide and expensive. A few crucial secrets about materials, finishes, and even legal responsibilities can make the difference between a lasting investment and a costly mistake. Understanding these truths will empower you to ask the right questions and ensure you get the security, durability, and beauty you're paying for.

1. Your Installer Becomes the Legal "Manufacturer" of an Electric Gate

Here’s a fact that surprises most homeowners: when you decide to automate a gate, the installer’s role changes dramatically in the eyes of the law. Under the UK's Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, the person or company that installs an automation system is legally considered the "manufacturer" of the final, complete machine.

This holds true whether they're installing a brand-new automated gate or simply adding a drive unit to your existing manual one. As the manufacturer, they are responsible for ensuring the entire system is safe and complies with all Essential Health and Safety Requirements. This includes issuing a formal Declaration of Conformity and applying a CE mark to the finished gate.

For you, the homeowner, this is a critical piece of information. The legal liability for the gate's safety rests squarely on the installer's shoulders. This transforms your choice of contractor from a simple matter of cost into a crucial risk-management decision. Hiring a competent, certified professional (such as a DHF-compliant installer, the Door & Hardware Federation, the industry's leading trade association) isn't just about getting a quality job; it's about ensuring the finished product is legally compliant and, most importantly, safe for you, your family, and the public.

2. The "Cheapest" Finish Can Cost You 35% More in the Long Run

When choosing a finish for your metal gate, it’s easy to focus on the initial price tag. A standard powder coating often appears to be the most budget-friendly option, but for exterior gates exposed to the British climate, this can be a classic false economy. At a microscopic level, powder coatings are porous, which allows moisture to eventually penetrate the layer and reach the steel. Furthermore, UV light gradually breaks down the polymers, leading to fading and reduced flexibility. The real cost of any finish is its "whole-life cost"—the initial price plus all future maintenance and repairs.

Hot-dip galvanizing, a process where steel is coated in molten zinc, is often perceived as an expensive upgrade. However, an independent analysis comparing corrosion protection systems delivered a startling finding.

According to an independent analysis, a high-quality three-coat paint system was found to be 35% more expensive than hot-dip galvanizing over the asset's lifetime.

The reason for this long-term cost difference is simple: painting is a labour-intensive process with costs that rise over time, whereas galvanizing is a highly mechanized, factory-controlled process with stable costs. For the ultimate in longevity and minimal maintenance, experts recommend a "Duplex System"—hot-dip galvanizing followed by a powder coat. While this has the highest initial cost, it provides the lowest total whole-life cost by combining maximum durability with a decorative finish.

3. The "Wrought Iron" You're Buying is Probably Steel

The term "wrought iron" evokes images of skilled blacksmiths hand-forging intricate, timeless designs. While these artisans still exist, it's important to know that many gates marketed with a "wrought iron style" are actually fabricated from mild steel. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but you need to understand the difference to get the gate that best meets your needs.

The two materials have fundamentally different properties:

• True Wrought Iron: Essentially pure iron, its high malleability makes it the ideal material for blacksmiths to create delicate, hand-forged artistic details.

• Mild Steel: An iron-carbon alloy, it is significantly stronger and more robust, making it the superior choice for security, durability, and impact resistance.

This distinction is vital. If your primary goal is maximum security and impact resistance, a steel gate is the superior choice. If, however, you are commissioning a gate as a unique piece of art with delicate, hand-worked scrollwork, you should seek out a specialist who works with true wrought iron. To avoid any confusion, ask your fabricator a direct question: "Is this true wrought iron or is it steel?" This ensures you are getting the right material for your vision and priorities.

4. A Simple Safety Rule Dictates Your Gate's Final Design

Whether you're installing a gate as part of a railing system on a raised patio, balcony, or near steps, a non-negotiable safety standard from UK Building Regulations (Part K) comes into play. For any railing or balustrade where there is a drop of more than 600mm (about two feet), the design must comply with a crucial safety test.

This is known as the "100mm Sphere Rule": a sphere with a 100mm diameter must not be able to pass through any gap in the structure. In practical terms, this means the space between any vertical bars must be no more than 99mm.

The purpose of this regulation is unambiguous and vital: to prevent a young child from getting their head trapped. This safety requirement can directly override purely aesthetic design choices. For example, traditional or ornate designs that feature large, open scrollwork may need to be modified with smaller infill sections or tighter bar spacing to comply. A professional fabricator must balance your artistic vision with this mandatory safety compliance, a compromise that is essential for the protection of residents and visitors.

5. Your Postcode Can Invalidate Your Gate's Warranty

A long-term warranty on your gate's finish can provide valuable peace of mind, but it's a mistake to assume that the headline guarantee—often 10 or 15 years—applies universally. The fine print often reveals a crucial variable that can dramatically alter the terms: your property's location.

Proximity to the coast is the most significant factor, as salty, moist air accelerates corrosion. Manufacturers adjust their warranties accordingly in a tiered system. For example, a premium "Duplex Coat" system that carries a 15-year warranty inland will see that guarantee reduced to 10 years if the gate is installed between 500 and 2,000 metres from the coast. If the property is even closer, between 50 and 500 metres, that same warranty plummets to just 5 years.

Furthermore, to keep even that reduced warranty valid, there is almost always a strict maintenance caveat. The terms may require the homeowner to clean the gate with a non-abrasive, pH-neutral detergent as frequently as every three months. Failure to do so can void the guarantee entirely. Before you buy, read the warranty's terms and conditions carefully to understand the specific maintenance commitments required by your postcode.

Conclusion: An Investment in Knowledge

Choosing a metal gate is a significant investment that goes far beyond its initial price and appearance. The long-term cost, legal compliance, material performance, and safety are all critical factors that are easy to overlook. By understanding these hidden truths, you move from being a simple buyer to an informed client, capable of navigating the process with confidence.

Armed with these truths, what is the first question you'll ask your gate fabricator?