With more than 30 years of experience behind us here at SL Wrought Iron, we’ve fielded countless questions from customers in our time. However, we’ve noticed that there are a few that have cropped up particularly frequently – so if you’re looking at buying metal gates or railings for your premises, there’s a good chance you might have one or two of these queries in mind! Of course, our team are always happy to address them in as much or as little detail as you need – but if you just need some quickfire answers, you can find them right here.
How long will my metal gate or railing last?
This is by far one of the most common questions we’re asked – to the extent that we even have an entire post on it. To keep the answer quick and simple though: metal gates and railings will often last decades, and it’s not unusual for them to last a lifetime (70 years or more). At the very least, with the proper care you can expect them to last 10 to 15 years, and if they’ve had the galvanised and powder coated finish, which we offer as standard here at SL Wrought Iron, then they’ll require only very occasional maintenance.
If they’ve been primed only, so that you can paint them yourself, then they may need a little bit more TLC every so often, but we can provide you more in-depth advice on that on a case-by-case basis, depending on the details of the product you’re buying.
Why should I choose a galvanised and powder-coated finish?
Quite simply, because it’s the ultimate low-maintenance finish, offering maximum protection, durability and longevity for your wrought iron metal railings or gate. It involves immersing the product in molten zinc at temperatures of around 450°C, which gives it maximum protection against corrosion. It’s then coated with paint in the form of a very fine powder, for a superior finish.
We do also offer an alternative finish, in which you can choose for your product to be primed only – so you can paint it yourself. However, it will need careful preparation (your gate or railing shouldn’t be left exposed to the elements until it’s been fully painted) and it will need regular maintenance and re-painting a bit more frequently. Ideal if you like keeping yourself busy every few months on lazy weekend afternoons, but possibly not always such an attractive option if you’re juggling family life and full time job as well!
Are metal gates and railings easy to install?
Yes. The majority of our metal gates and railings do not require any special training or knowledge to install, and we ship each one with a set of clear, detailed instructions, so you don’t have to contend with any additional costs of hiring any specialists. You don’t even have to be a particularly skilled DIY enthusiast – we’ve made sure that our instructions are equally easy for everyone to follow, regardless of their personal levels of skill or experience. And of course, if you ever do have any questions or need any advice, we’re only a phone call away.
Why should I choose metal over wood?
We talk to plenty of customers who’ve had experienced owning and maintaining wooden gates and railings. They’re both excellent choices in the right setting, but one of the key reasons why so many buyers are now opting for metal over wood is the fact that it’s simply more durable and economical. Wooden gates and railings are now no longer as cheap as they used to be, and they cannot match the level of resistance that metal gates and railings have to the harshest of seasonal weather, as well as the hustle and bustle of everyday life – such as casual bumps and knocks, and rust and corrosion.
All that means that metal gates and railings are the ultimate low-maintenance option – and best of all, there’s more choice on the market today than ever before.
Do I need to be in for delivery?
Yes. Our products are palleted deliveries that are conveyed by light commercial vehicles (vans, in other words). They’re not the same as parcels or packages that can simply be left on your doorstep, so you’ll need to be in. As for when they’ll arrive, to be honest that depends on your postcode, and exactly where you are in the country. We can provide a more accurate individual estimate when you order. (It’s also worth noting that we offer free UK delivery an all orders over £700!)
If you need a bit more information off the bat, it’s worth taking a brief look at our Terms and Conditions, and scrolling down to the Delivery section.
And if you’ve got any further specific queries that haven’t been answered here, feel free to get in touch with our experts. We have over three decades of experience behind us at SL Wrought Iron, and all of our products are handcrafted by talented experts right here in our Lancashire factory. You can choose from our beautiful ranges right here on our website, and we can even make bespoke products according to individual customer specifications!
Feel free to have a look around – or alternatively, if you’ve got any questions or need any advice, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01254 236994, and we’ll be happy to see how we can help.
