Many people understand the importance of having an aluminum fence around their property, but few understand the importance or benefit of also having aluminum gates.
Most home and business owners feel that the gate is the most important part of a fence system, from the appearance standpoint, and they are completely right.
When a guest comes to visit you and comes up to your front door, or base of your driveway, the first thing they will notice is the style of your gate.
Up until a few years ago, the only way to get a truly fancy, contemporary or traditional gate for your estate was to go with a wrought iron version.
This is a shame because although iron has a lot of benefits that aluminum does not have, there are at least as many disadvantages.
Aluminum gates are light, decorative and versatile, and you will only discover this if you open your eyes and look.
Aluminum fencing used to be plain and boring and only come in one color.
There was a certain stigma associated with it, which is why so many people opted for wooden fencing around their property.
The rationale that many used is that wood was attractive in its natural state but it could also be painted to any color they imagine.
This is true, however the drawbacks to wooden structures are many in number.
Wood is not as sturdy as most metals.
It is true that if you choose to go with a certain thickness of wood you will get strength, but when it comes to residential fencing it is unrealistic.
The second drawback to wood is that it requires constant upkeep, no matter what coating you put on it.
If you choose to go natural you will find that the wood will rot in a matter of years, in most environments, and even less in others.
Another way to protect it is with wood protector.
These seals work pretty well but require a recoat every year.
Unless you want this fencing to be your sole job then this is not the option for you.
Painting is a viable option, but it too has many drawbacks.
Paint can fade in harsh environments as well as crack and chip.
Fading is cosmetic, for the most part, but it looks so bad it is hard to leave it that way.
Chipping is bad because that is the paint actually coming off of the wood.
This leaves the wood looking terrible and also unprotected.
If the paint starts chipping, it will have to be redone very soon.
The only sensible way to go, with regard to your fencing, is with aluminum gates.
They are not the same as they used to be so if you have not looked at them in years then you are way behind on the developments.
Take a look at what is available these days and you will be impressed.