Garden Gate - iron or vinyl? - YouLookFab Forum

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Garden Gate - iron or vinyl?

cloud9

Veteran

Our wooden gate needs to be replaced. What are your experiences with either iron or vinyl gates?

I've done some research online, however, My DH & I are in opposite camps, so I need YLF to be the ref!

11 years ago

Off Topic

16 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

Anonymous

Iron all the way. My neighbors have one of those vinyl things and when the wind blows (read: all the dang time, here), it creaks and squeaks and frankly drives us bananas. Don't even get me started on the aesthetics.

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Iron lasts forever. You repaint it and it's new again. Vinyl just breaks down and to me 10-15 years is not a long time for a fence.

11 years ago

Glory

Veteran

Another vote for iron but I always veer towards natural materials. even if you decide to let it weather there is a certain appeal to it.

11 years ago

abc

Veteran

what Glory said!

11 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

call me old-fashioned but vinyl doesn't feel as secure to me. And what's a gate for then?

11 years ago

Windchime

Veteran

I love "real", not synthetic, materials for my garden and would choose iron for that reason. But really, it's a matter of personal taste. Which do you prefer?

11 years ago

Carla

Veteran

Another vote for iron.

11 years ago

LACeleste

Veteran

Iron all the way! Poets don't write poems about vinyl gates.

Hope you find something you love!

11 years ago

deb

Veteran

I vote iron.

11 years ago

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I personally don't like the look and feel of the vinyl so iron it is - or wood and iron if you need more privacy.

11 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

Is there a reason you wouldn't do wood?

I suppose it's theoretically possible vinyl might be attractive and long-lasting but my vote is metal.

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

We replaced our wood (split-rail) fence with metal a few years ago and have never regretted it for a moment. We live in the woods, and falling branches constantly broke our wood fence. The metal is so much better -- sturdier and still looks brand new. We have two acres, so it wasn't cheap, but totally worth it IMHO.

11 years ago

Anonymous

Is it true wrought iron or powder coated steel in wrought iron style (most modern fences are made like this as we have found in our research)? True wrought iron is very expensive but very durable. Powder coated steel if scratched will rust, so a lot of upkeep. Aluminum is not as durable as steel. Vinyl is much less maintenance and will actually last much longer than metal, because it will not rust or rot.

That said many people in our neighborhood have had vinyl for almost 20 years and looks like new. They power wash it every spring. Some of the larger estates near us actually have the true wrought iron gate with stone fencing with still looks great. The few homes near me that have the powder coated steel fencing/gates are showing lots of rust.

11 years ago