Composite Gates Derby

Composite Gates

Composite gates are a massively growing phenomenon in Derbyshire and across the UK. It's no surprise, as many more gardens are selecting composite fencing and it makes sense to have a matching gate. At Metal Gates & Railings Derby, composite gates, especially composite driveway gates, are one of our most popular products. For a sturdy composite gate, the important part is the frame which contains the composite panels. This provides a secure housing for the panels to expand and contract over the seasons, as well as a robust edge to the gate. It also means you will have a much stronger and more secure fixing for your locks too.

What Is a Composite Gate?

A composite garden gate refers to a gate that is made from composite materials, typically a combination of wood fibres and recycled plastic. It sometimes gets interchanged with uPVC, but the difference is that uPVC will be 100% plastic, versus the combination of plastic and wood fibres. The bulk of a composite panel for a gate will mostly be recycled plastic; the percentage from one manufacturer to another will typically range from 90%+ to about 60%.

Composite Driveway Gates Derby

Composite driveway gates are known for their durability, as they are resistant to rot, warping, and fading. This makes composite driveway gates long-lasting and able to withstand harsh weather conditions, compared to traditional wooden gates. They do not need to be stained or painted regularly, and can simply be cleaned with soap and water to maintain their appearance. Whilst there will always be someone with a strong opinion on plastics, taking a long-term eco-friendly view: composite materials used in gates are usually made from recycled materials, reducing the demand for new resources and minimising total long-term environmental impact. By choosing composite driveway gates, you will be contributing to sustainable practices.

Our composite gates come in a variety of styles, colours, and finishes, allowing you to choose an option that complements your outdoor space. We can customise them to match the aesthetic of your garden or the overall design of your property.

They are extremely resistant to pests and insects compared to traditional wooden gates, providing additional peace of mind regarding the longevity of your composite gates, which makes them a cost-effective choice over time. Our composite driveway gates are designed to be sturdy and secure, providing a safe barrier for homes and gardens. They can be equipped with reliable locking mechanisms for enhanced security and peace of mind.

They are also extremely weather resistant, as composite materials used in garden gates are designed to withstand various weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, and moisture. They do not warp or crack due to temperature changes, ensuring their structural integrity over time. Compared to wood, after an initial stabilising period composite driveway gates are engineered to resist additional fading caused by exposure to sunlight. This means that the gate's colour and finish will remain vibrant and intact following stabilisation, maintaining its aesthetic appeal for years to come.

Sliding Composite Driveway Gates

Our sliding composite driveway gates are built to withstand the elements and are designed for long-lasting durability, using sturdy steel framing with high quality composite panels, which are resistant to rust, corrosion, and other forms of natural weather damage. Sliding gates require minimal maintenance; occasional lubrication of the gate's track and wheels is usually sufficient to keep them in optimal condition.

Composite Side Gates and Garden Gates

Not every composite gate is a driveway gate. Side gates and garden gates are a large part of what we make: a single leaf in a steel frame, hung in the gap between a house and a fence or wall. Because the frame is made to measure, the gate fills an awkward opening properly rather than leaving gaps down the sides, and the lock is fixed into steel rather than into board.

A decorative top panel is the easiest way to make a plain side gate look finished – a trellis pattern, a laser-cut design or a row of toppers – and it lets a little light into what is often a narrow, dark passage.

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Trellis Tops, Toppers and Frame Colours

The top of the gate is where most of the character comes from. The options we fit include cathedral and script trellis panels, laser-cut decorative panels, slatted tops, a scrolled top rail, and fleur de lis or spear toppers along the frame.

Frames are usually powder coated black, with anthracite grey an increasingly popular alternative next to grey boards and modern windows. Boards come in greys, charcoals, browns and wood-effect oaks.

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Before and After: Replacing an Old Metal Gate

In Ockbrook, an old, low metal gate across a side passage was replaced with a pair of full-height composite gates in oak-effect boards with a scrolled top rail. Taller, solid gates give the side of the house the privacy and security the old gate never could, while the oak-effect boards soften a narrow brick passage.

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What Affects the Price of a Composite Gate?

We don't publish a price list, because almost every gate we make is a different size. These are the things that move the price:

Width and type

A single side gate, a pair of driveway gates and a sliding gate are three different jobs. Sliding gates also need a guide rail set in a concrete trench.

Height

Taller gates need more board and a heavier frame, and full-height privacy gates need stronger posts.

Tops and toppers

Trellis panels, laser-cut designs, scrolled rails and toppers each add material and work, and are worth choosing early.

Board choice

Standard grey and charcoal boards cost less than premium wood-effect finishes.

What it hangs on

Sound existing piers are the cheapest option. New steel posts concreted into the ground add labour, which is exactly what the survey is there to work out.

Automation

A motor, controls and a power supply turn a manual gate into an electric one, and can often be added later if the gate is built for it.

Send us the width and height of your opening and a photograph, and we'll give you a provisional price.

Frequently asked Questions about Composite Gates in Derby

How do you finish your metal frames for your composite gates?

The steel frame is welded, deburred and primed, then finished by hand painting or powder coating. Black is the usual choice, and anthracite grey is increasingly popular because it sits well with grey boards and modern windows. The composite boards themselves need no finishing.

Why choose Metal Gates & Railings Derby to supply & fit my composite gates?

Our metal fabricators have a wealth of experience, which means that once we have carried out our survey, the fabricators can make your gates to the exact measurements required. As we provide a total turnkey service, you don't have to worry about getting the measurements right, accounting for any slopes, or whether your existing posts or wall are strong enough to hold your gates. We take all the hassle away and are still extremely competitively priced.

What are the most popular composite gates you install in Derby?

Our grey embossed composite panels are the most popular infill for our composite gates, followed by our chocolate ones. Most of our gates are kept simple, with a few arched, but a growing number also include a trellis top rather than fleur de lis or spikes.

What colours are available for your composite gates?

From our usual composite suppliers we have a range of greys, browns and charcoals, embossed or plain, and some wood-effect options too. As all our gates are bespoke and fabricated by us, we can paint the frame in any colour, as long as it is a suitable metal paint, and we can fit any composite fence panel. So if you have found a specific composite panel online which isn't from our usual suppliers, we will happily fit it for you too.

How do you fit your composite gates?

This will depend on the size of your gates and the condition of the potential fixing points. If your existing brickwork, concrete post or wall will not provide an adequate fix, we will install metal posts into the ground to provide a secure fixing point. For sliding driveway gates we will dig a trench so that the guide rail has a suitably strong fixing too.

Composite Gates vs. Wood Gates: Which is the Better Option?

When it comes to choosing between composite gates and standard wooden gates, the better option will be composite when budget allows. Composite gates are made from a mixture of wood fibres and recycled plastic, which makes them highly durable and resistant to weather conditions. They require minimal maintenance, especially if made by ourselves and framed in metal, and are less likely to warp or rot compared to wooden gates. They can be customised on the frame tops and provide a secure and robust housing for locks compared to just wood. Wooden gates require regular maintenance, such as staining or sealing, to protect them from moisture and insect damage, but this does allow you to change the colour of them inexpensively. Ultimately, the better option will depend primarily on individual preferences, budget, and the specific needs of the property; however, composite has a much longer list of pros.

How much do composite gates cost?

It depends mainly on the width and height of the opening, whether it's a single gate, a pair or a sliding gate, the top you choose, and whether new posts are needed. Because almost every gate is a different size, we price each one individually. Send us the measurements and a photograph for a provisional price.