Guide
Steel, aluminium or timber gates
Weight, upkeep and looks decide it. Here's how the three main materials compare.
Steel is strong and heavy and needs its coating looked after. Aluminium is light, doesn't rust and suits automation and coastal sites. Timber looks traditional and warm but needs regular treatment and is heavy for its size.
No Irish source we found publishes reliable gate-only prices by material. ShamFix's 2026 guide says so too, and advises asking for the gate as its own line on the quote.
The three main materials
| Steel or wrought iron | Aluminium | Timber | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Heavy | Light | Heavy, especially hardwood |
| Rust and rot | Rusts if the coating is damaged | Doesn't rust | Can rot or warp without treatment |
| Upkeep | Touch up chips; repaint or recoat over the years | Little; wash it down | Stain or oil regularly |
| Looks | Railings, scrolls, traditional or plain | Flat panels, slats, modern | Solid boards, traditional or contemporary |
| Automation | Needs a motor sized for the weight | Easy on motors | Needs a strong motor and hinges; catches wind |
| Coast | Needs a good protective finish | Good choice | Weathers fast |
Points drawn from BM Alarm Systems (Co. Meath), 4 December 2024, VAT not stated, Cork Security Gates, March 2026, VAT not stated and ShamFix.ie 2026 price guide, 21 September 2026, VAT not stated. Read 28 October 2026.
What the sources say about cost
They don't agree, which is honest of the market. BM Alarm Systems, a Meath installer, says steel gates are strong and durable and "usually the most expensive choice", and that aluminium gates are lighter and more affordable than steel. Cork Security Gates also says aluminium is often cheaper, and that wrought iron and steel usually cost more. FÁLÚ, which makes aluminium gates, publishes €3,200–€4,200 for a manual sliding aluminium gate and €4,200–€7,500+ for an electric one. ShamFix's guide says there is no reliable supplied figure for gate-only prices by material, so you should ask for each gate element as an itemised amount.
In practice the design and the size move the price more than the metal: a plain, standard aluminium gate can cost less than a made-to-measure steel gate with scrolls, and the reverse is also true.
Steel and wrought iron
Steel gates are welded from box section, flat bar or railings, often in a traditional wrought iron style. The strength is real, and so is the weight: a pair of solid steel gates needs strong piers, heavy hinges and, if electric, a motor rated for it. The finish decides how long it lasts. Galvanising coats the steel in zinc. Powder coating adds a baked-on colour. Steel that's galvanised and then powder coated has two layers of protection against rust. A painted finish chips and rusts where it's knocked, so touch it up each year.
Aluminium
Aluminium gates are light and don't rust, which is why they suit automation and windy or coastal sites. They're usually powder coated in a colour of your choice. FÁLÚ lists powder-coated RAL colour as one of the things that sets the price. The style tends to be modern: flat panels, horizontal slats or vertical bars. A lighter gate is also kinder on hinges and motors over the years.
Timber
Timber gates look right on older houses and country entrances. Softwood is cheaper and needs treating to last. Hardwoods like iroko or oak are heavier, more stable and dearer. Solid timber leaves act like sails in the wind, so an electric timber gate needs a motor and hinges sized for that. BM Alarm Systems notes wooden gates can be costly to maintain over time. Plan on staining or oiling every year or two.
Composite
Cork Security Gates says composite gates are becoming more popular for combining durability with a modern look. They're usually a metal frame with composite boards. Ask about the frame material and the warranty on fading.
Choosing for your entrance
- Electric and wide: lighter aluminium is easier on the motor
- By the sea: aluminium, or steel galvanised and powder coated
- Older house or country entrance: timber or traditional steel railings
- Privacy: solid infill, but allow for wind load
- Security: steel with vertical bars and no footholds
Questions to ask
- What exactly is the material, and the thickness of the sections?
- What's the finish: galvanised, powder coated, both, or painted?
- Is the gate made to measure, or a standard size?
- What's the warranty on the finish?
- Can I have the gate priced as its own line on the quote?
Questions people ask
Which material should I choose for driveway gates?
It depends on the entrance. Aluminium is light and doesn't rust, steel is strong and heavy, timber looks traditional but needs upkeep.
Are aluminium gates cheaper than steel?
Two Irish installers, BM Alarm Systems and Cork Security Gates, say aluminium is often cheaper than steel. Design and size usually matter more than the metal.
Do steel gates rust?
Where the coating is damaged, yes. Galvanised and powder coated steel lasts longest. Touch up chips each year.
How often do timber gates need treating?
Every year or two with a stain or oil, more often on an exposed site.
Which gates suit electric operation?
Lighter ones are easier on motors and hinges. Aluminium is the usual choice, but any gate works with a motor sized for it.
Sources (3)
Prices and facts on this page were checked against these published pages. We are not connected to these businesses.
- BM Alarm Systems: bmalarms.ie
- Cork Security Gates: corksecuritygates.com
- ShamFix.ie 2026 price guide: shamfix.ie
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