Three Different Materials For Your Custom Gates
Custom gates present a beautiful entryway to a home, providing the opportunity to create something that blends with a particular landscape. They are constructed from a variety of materials; common options include iron, aluminium and timber.
Iron
One possible material for gates is cast or wrought iron. These two metals are alloys composed of a mixture of iron, carbon and other substances. The amount of carbon and additional elements vary slightly between the two. They also undergo different processing treatments. Cast iron objects are made by heating up the metal alloy and then pouring the molten mixture into moulds. With wrought iron, the metal is heated and then worked into shape with tools and hammers to form the decorative designs. Because of the slight variance in starting ingredients, wrought iron is more malleable but generally stronger than cast iron. One problem with all iron, however, is that it can tend to rust over time. You would then need to sand and repaint the gate, which, of course, adds to the required maintenance tasks.
Aluminium
Aluminium gates bring the dual qualities of strength and lightness. This material is lighter than both iron and timber, which makes it easy to work with. Aluminium originates from bauxite. Once mined, alumna is extracted and combined with other materials to produce the final metal. Different elements are included to give various qualities. Duralumin, for example, is formulated for strength, and so is used to construct aeroplanes. A major benefit of aluminium is that it naturally resists rust due to the oxide layer that forms upon exposure to oxygen. Because gates need to withstand the weather, day in and day out, this is a great benefit.
Aluminium gates can be painted or else powder coated, which involves spraying an electromagnetically charged dry mixture of resin and pigments onto the surface. The coated objects are then baked, and the dry elements melt, creating a hard, durable film. The only maintenance aluminium needs is a wipe over every now and again, so you will almost be able to simply install and forget.
Timber
Another option for a custom gate is wood. Timber is such a versatile material that it can be styled to match virtually any home, whether modern or traditional. It blends with either brick and concrete, or natural elements such as stone. Timber can also be painted or stained to produce a vast range of different finishes. A weakness of wood is that it needs regular resealing or painting for protection, so its maintenance needs are higher than aluminium and iron. On the plus side, however, a timber gate brings a beautiful warm character to its environment.
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