Aluminum and Steel Gate Options in Glendale, CA
Glendale Electric Gates & Custom Metal transforms properties through decorative and ornamental iron gate installation, featuring custom wrought iron craftsmanship, architectural fabrication, and artistic metal designs. Our company is Los Angeles County's trusted provider of elegant gate solutions for commercial and residential properties seeking to balance security functionality with aesthetic excellence. Our master metalworkers craft each installation with attention to architectural detail and artistic sensibility.
Our skilled fabricators specialize in both traditional and contemporary designs throughout Glendale, matching existing architectural styles in neighborhoods including Adams Hill, Rossmoyne, Chevy Chase Canyon, and Verdugo Woodlands. Our company maintains over 20 years of metalworking expertise, utilizing premium wrought iron materials that provide durability and corrosion resistance while creating distinctive focal points. We serve properties across the San Fernando Valley, Burbank, Pasadena, Eagle Rock, and Silver Lake, with custom capabilities for hand-forged scrollwork, decorative railings, and specialty installations. Each ornamental gate combines precision engineering with artistic vision, enhancing property value while delivering reliable access control backed by UL 325 safety compliance.
Aluminum and Steel Gate Options Services We Provide
Our aluminum and steel gate options give you the perfect balance of strength, style, and maintenance requirements for your specific property needs. We help you select the ideal metal type based on your budget, climate exposure, design preferences, and security requirements for optimal performance.
Custom Aluminum Gate Design and Fabrication
We design and fabricate custom aluminum gates that resist rust and corrosion while maintaining an elegant appearance that complements any architectural style beautifully. Aluminum gates weigh significantly less than steel, which means your automatic gate opener requires less power and experiences reduced wear over time.
Our powder-coating process adds color options and extra protection, allowing your gate to withstand harsh weather without fading, chipping, or showing wear. We create ornamental designs, privacy panels, and contemporary styles that match your home's aesthetic while providing the security you need daily.
Automatic Metal Gate System Integration
We integrate professional-grade automatic operators with your aluminum or steel gate to provide convenient, reliable access control that operates smoothly every day. Our automation systems include remote controls, smartphone connectivity, keypad entry, and intercom options that give you complete control over who enters your property.
We size the gate operator correctly based on your gate's weight and dimensions, ensuring quiet operation and long equipment life without strain. Our installations include safety sensors, battery backup systems, and emergency release mechanisms that meet all California building codes and safety standards.
Heavy-Duty Steel Gate Construction
Our steel gates deliver maximum security and durability for properties requiring the strongest possible barrier against unauthorized access and potential forced entry attempts. We use commercial-grade steel that withstands impacts better than aluminum, making it ideal for high-security applications, commercial properties, and estates needing protection.
Steel allows for intricate welding details and structural designs that would be impossible with lighter metals, giving you more creative possibilities for customization. We apply rust-inhibiting primers and weather-resistant finishes that protect your steel gate from the elements for decades of reliable performance.
Our Installation Process for Aluminum and Steel Gates
Our installation teams follow proven procedures that ensure your metal gate operates perfectly and lasts for decades without structural problems or operational failures. We handle every detail from site preparation through final adjustments, delivering a complete system ready for daily use immediately.
Site Assessment and Foundation Preparation
We begin with a thorough site evaluation to identify underground utilities, drainage patterns, soil conditions, and obstacles that affect your gate installation.
Our team prepares proper foundations with concrete footings sized appropriately for your gate's weight, wind loads, and operational stresses it experiences.
We ensure adequate clearance for gate swing or slide operation, verify property lines, and confirm compliance with local setback requirements before installation.
Professional Metal Gate Fabrication Standards
We fabricate your aluminum or steel gate in our workshop using commercial equipment that ensures precise measurements, square corners, and proper welding.
Our certified welders create strong joints that withstand operational stress, and we grind all welds smooth for a finished appearance.
We apply primer coats, powder coating, or specialty finishes before delivery to protect your gate during installation and provide lasting beauty.
Final Adjustments and Customer Training
We make precise adjustments to hinges, rollers, and automation settings to ensure smooth, quiet operation without binding or excessive noise.
Our team provides comprehensive training on your gate's operation, including remote programming, manual release procedures, and basic troubleshooting techniques.
We review maintenance requirements, explain your warranty coverage, and provide contact information for future service needs before completing your project successfully.
Maintaining Your Aluminum or Steel Gate for Longevity
Routine Cleaning and Inspection Procedures
We recommend washing your metal gate quarterly with mild soap and water and inspecting hinges, rollers, and automation components monthly for signs of wear or misalignment. Regular visual checks help catch minor issues early, extending the gate’s lifespan and ensuring reliable operation.
Lubrication and Mechanical Maintenance
All moving parts—including hinges, rollers, chains, and pivot points—should be lubricated every six months to reduce friction, prevent rust, and ensure quiet operation. Automation components also require periodic adjustment of limit switches, force settings, and safety sensors to maintain safe and consistent functionality.
Finish Protection and Touch-Up Applications
Minor scratches or chips should be touched up with matching paint to protect bare metal from corrosion. Aluminum gates require minimal maintenance, while steel gates benefit from annual coating inspections and professional refinishing every 10–15 years depending on environmental exposure.
What's the main difference between aluminum and steel gates for residential properties?
Aluminum gates are lighter, naturally rust-resistant, and require less maintenance, while steel gates provide superior strength and security for high-protection applications. Aluminum works better in coastal environments and humid climates where corrosion is a concern, while steel excels when maximum security matters most. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize low maintenance and corrosion resistance or maximum strength and security for your specific property needs.
How long do aluminum and steel gates typically last with proper maintenance?
Aluminum gates typically last 25 to 30 years or more with minimal maintenance because they resist corrosion naturally in most environments. Steel gates can last 30 to 40 years when properly protected with quality finishes and regular maintenance to prevent rust and deterioration. Both materials provide excellent longevity when professionally installed and maintained according to manufacturer recommendations, making them sound investments for your property.
Can I automate both aluminum and steel gates with the same type of opener?
Both aluminum and steel gates can be automated, but steel gates require more powerful operators because of their significantly greater weight. Aluminum's lighter weight allows smaller motors that consume less electricity and experience less mechanical wear throughout their operational lifespan. We size automation equipment specifically for your gate's weight and dimensions to ensure reliable operation and long equipment life without strain.
Which metal gate option requires less maintenance over time?
Aluminum gates require significantly less maintenance because they don't rust and their powder-coated finishes resist fading, chalking, and weathering exceptionally well. Steel gates need periodic inspection for rust, occasional touch-up painting, and potentially complete refinishing every ten to fifteen years, depending on exposure. If minimal maintenance is your priority, aluminum delivers the best long-term convenience, especially in humid or coastal environments where steel corrodes quickly.
How do aluminum and steel gates compare in terms of design flexibility?
Steel offers slightly more design flexibility for intricate welded details and extremely heavy ornamental elements because of its superior structural strength. Aluminum still provides excellent design options, including ornamental work, privacy panels, and contemporary styles that satisfy most architectural requirements and aesthetic preferences. Both materials can be powder-coated in virtually any color and fabricated into custom designs that match your property's style perfectly.