Aluminium vs Steel Driveway Gates: What Actually Lasts in Wellington

Two good materials, very different stories

Most Wellington homeowners shopping for a driveway gate end up choosing between powder coated aluminium and powder coated mild steel. Both can be made to look almost identical from the street. They behave very differently over twenty years.

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Weight and motors

Aluminium is roughly a third the weight of steel. That means lighter hardware, smaller motors, and less stress on hinges and posts. For automated gates that swing or slide every day, aluminium is the easier life.

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Weather and rust

Steel will rust the moment the powder coat is breached. Aluminium will not. In Wellington, where wind driven debris regularly chips finishes, that matters. A small chip in a steel gate becomes a maintenance job. The same chip in aluminium is cosmetic only. Hot dip galvanising before powder coat closes most of that gap on steel, which is why we specify it on galvanised handrails and structural work.

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Strength and security

Steel is stronger and harder to cut. For high security applications, perimeter gates around commercial yards, and anywhere impact resistance is genuinely needed, steel is still the right call. For a typical residential driveway gate, aluminium is more than strong enough.

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Cost over twenty years

Aluminium usually costs a bit more up front. Over twenty years, with no rust, no repaints, and lighter motor wear, it almost always wins on total cost of ownership.

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Talk to The Fabricator about what suits your site. We fabricate both. See our aluminium gates and aluminium fencing, and we will quote the option that gives you the longest life for your budget.