8 min read · Updated 29 August 2026
Aluminium vs Wooden Gates: Which Lasts Better?
Weight decides more than looks once automation is involved. A practical comparison of aluminium, hardwood and softwood gates with fitted 2026 pricing.
The short answer
Aluminium lasts longer, needs virtually no maintenance and is much lighter, which matters enormously if the gates are going to be automated. Timber looks better on a period property, costs less in softwood and costs more in good hardwood, and needs looking after.
If you are automating, and most driveway gates in this area now are, aluminium is the lower risk choice. A heavy pair of oak gates puts real strain on motors, hinges and posts.
Costs, fitted
Prices are for a pair of driveway gates at around 3 metres total opening, fitted to existing sound piers or new posts.
| Gate type | Supplied and fitted | Life | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Softwood timber pair | £1,400 - £2,600 | 10 - 15 years | Treat every 2 years |
| Hardwood (oak, iroko) pair | £3,000 - £6,500 | 25 - 40 years | Oil annually |
| Powder coated aluminium pair | £2,600 - £5,500 | 25 - 30 years | Wash occasionally |
| Steel or wrought iron pair | £2,200 - £5,000 | 20 - 30 years | Repaint every 5 - 8 yrs |
| Automation kit, swing pair | £2,200 - £4,500 | 10 - 15 years | Annual service |
| Sliding gate plus automation | £5,500 - £12,000 | 15 - 25 years | Annual service |
Weight and automation
A 1.8m by 1.5m hardwood gate leaf can weigh 70 to 100kg. The equivalent aluminium leaf is 25 to 40kg. That difference cascades through the whole installation: the posts or piers, the hinge specification, the motor size and the wear rate on everything.
Timber also moves with the seasons. A gate that closes perfectly in August can bind in February, which on a manual gate is an annoyance and on an automated gate triggers obstruction detection and stops the system working.
If you want the timber appearance with aluminium behaviour, wood effect powder coating and timber infill on an aluminium frame are both credible options now, and we fit both.
Which suits which property
Period cottages and listed properties in Farnham, Rowledge and Old Basing: painted softwood or oak, five bar or estate style. Aluminium tends to read as wrong against handmade brick, and in a conservation area it may not be acceptable.
Modern and new build homes in Fleet, Elvetham Heath and Southwood: horizontal slat aluminium in anthracite grey, which is what most people picture when they say contemporary gates.
Rural approaches: hardwood five bar if manual, aluminium if automated, and consider a sliding gate if the drive rises away from the road, because swing gates need a level arc.
The bits people forget to budget for
Posts or piers. Automated gates need substantial fixing: 200mm by 200mm steel or timber posts set in a concrete foundation, or brick piers with a proper reinforced core. Budget £400 to £1,600 depending on the build.
Ducting and power. A trenched armoured supply from the house, with spare ducts for intercom and safety devices, is £600 to £1,500.
Safety equipment. Automated gates are machinery under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations. They legally require a force assessment, safety edges or force limitation, photocells, manual release and a Declaration of Conformity. That is £400 to £900 of the automation cost and it is not optional.
Our recommendation
For automated driveway gates, powder coated aluminium with a 25 year coating warranty, hung on properly founded posts, with the full safety package. For manual gates on a period property, oak or painted softwood, and accept the maintenance as part of the look.
Call 07538 218723 and tell us the opening width, whether the drive slopes and whether you want automation, because those three answers decide almost everything else.
Frequently asked questions
- Are aluminium gates better than wooden gates?
- For durability and automation, yes. Aluminium is a third of the weight, needs almost no maintenance and lasts 25 to 30 years. Timber looks better on period properties but moves seasonally and needs treating.
- How much do automated driveway gates cost in the UK?
- A powder coated aluminium pair with automation typically costs £4,800 to £10,000 fitted in 2026, including gates, motors, posts, power supply, safety devices and commissioning.
- Do electric gates need safety certification?
- Yes. Powered gates are classed as machinery, so they require a force assessment, safety devices such as photocells or safety edges, a manual release and a Declaration of Conformity from the installer.
- Should I choose swing or sliding gates?
- Swing gates suit level driveways with room for the arc. Sliding gates suit sloping drives, short driveways where a swinging leaf would block the road, and wide openings over about 4 metres.