One version of this article straight up says wrought iron gates are worth the expense. Another version says modern steel gates are a worthy substitute. Yet another version says wrought iron is antiquated and steel gates are superior. The truth is neither of those versions are correct. Both materials present a strong argument, and the best option depends on complicated factors that are often very different between properties.
What Wrought Iron Actually Is
The term, wrought iron, is often used incorrectly. Many gates marketed as wrought iron are simply STEEL that has been shaped and “finished” to mimic wrought iron. Wrought iron, in the sense that it was historically shaped and crafted by blacksmiths, is a rare, high-dollar purchase. When vendors are claiming to sell wrought iron, it can be beneficial to inquire further as to exactly what is meant by that.
The difference of what qualifies as true wrought iron vs what’s advertised as wrought iron becomes less important for a majority of “family” applications. Ultimately, the wrought iron designs of gates, with inlayed designs, vertical elements, and ornamental finishes, look the same and are comparable to the designs that utilize STEEL. The differences manifest in the elements of construction, weight, and in some rare scenarios, the surface life cycle.
The Maintenance Gap Exists
There’s no easy way to say this if you believe that wrought iron products are superior. Steel gates, be they mild or stainless or galvanised, will corrode. Wrought iron gates also corrode over time. However, wrought iron gates will rust much quicker at the joints of the gate, and once rust sets in, the rate of corrosion will be faster than that of other steel alloys.
With the modern technology we have today, a true galvanised steel gate–as opposed to a galvanised gate that is simply spray coated–will offer much more corrosion resistance than wrought iron gates, no matter the other treatments that have been done on the wrought iron. The galvanisation will bond, at a molecular level, beneath the layer of zinc, which provides corrosion resistance even if the outer layer of zinc is damaged, and the addition of a protective layer of powder coating over the galvanisation will provide even more protection.
On the other hand, wrought iron gates will rely on painting, which means, on average, in a span of 5-7 years the gate is going to have to be re-painted, and it will need to be done much sooner if at a coast or in an urban area, which are both more oxidizing than the conditions inland. Can you imagine, over the span of 20 years, having to deal with the loss of your own driveway in order to maintain it? It is a loss of access, combined with the cost of materials, that you will have to deal with?
Advantages of Wrought Iron
There are many reasons wrought iron is absolutely the right decision. For properties dating back to the Victorian, Edwardian, and Georgian eras, wrought iron gates are undoubtedly the right materials. Regardless of the quality of finishing, modern steel gates appear cookie-cutter, and that creates a strong contrast with the imperfections of stone and bricks. The imperfections of hand-finished ironwork, the diversity of the bar sections, and the quality of decorative ironwork depend on the skills of the person working on the ironwork. Each of these qualities can be seen when the property is given the right amount of space.
The quality of wrought iron, in particular the ability to deal with damage in the aftermath of an unfortunate vehicle incident, is another selling point of wrought iron. The incident of wrought iron of steel gates post vehicle collision is easily dealt with by a skilled professional. It is relatively easy to replace one ironwork section post damage. Modern steel gates, with welded sections, become difficult to deal with post vehicle incident, and in some cases, are difficult to deal with post manufacturing. Wrought iron gates are expected to last forty years, therefore factors listed above must be taken into consideration.
It is easy to notice the weight of wrought iron gates. It is easy to notice the weight difference with both swing gates and your automated selections. Well designed modern feather gates eliminate this issue, but can be easily replaced.
Modern Steel’s Strongest Arguments
The galvanizing point above is the headline, but it’s not the only one. Modern fabrication techniques mean gates made from steel can be built to tighter tolerances, offering gates with finishes that are more equal than gates made from hand wrought iron. The range of colors in powder coating is huge, so metalwork, metal cladding, and window frame finishes can easily be matched to gates, in a way that wasn’t possible just a generation ago.
Over the last ten years, anti-corrosive priming and topcoats for steel have improved. A modern steel gate that is properly specified and powder coated, primed, and galvanized, should only need a simple clean, in most locations, for 15 to 20 years.
When new builds or homes are substantially renovated, gates made from modern steel or aluminum are often more desirable aluminum wrought iron gates. The clean, modern lines of contemporary architecture completely contrast the decorative ironwork.
The Question
A more useful question is the gate’s primary function before deciding which material to use. A gate that focuses on the curb and visual appeal, where the opening and closing mechanisms are secondary will most likely be wrought iron, or a steel gate. A gate that will be used multiple times a day and expected to perform with little intervention is more likely to be modern steel or aluminum.
They’re not mutually exclusive. Automated wrought iron installations can be highly successful and last for decades. And modern steel gates can, and do, look perfectly appropriate on traditional properties. However, understanding which consideration matters most to you makes the decision much easier, and a good installer should be asking that question before making any material recommendations.