If you're planning a new electric gate installation, one of the most important decisions you'll face is choosing the right material. For many homeowners across Wiltshire and the surrounding counties, the choice comes down to two options: hardwood or composite.
Both are excellent gate materials. Both can be automated, both look genuinely beautiful, and both will serve you well for many years. But they suit different properties, different budgets and different priorities, and making the right choice upfront will save you time, money and frustration in the long run.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide.
What Are Hardwood Gates?
Hardwood gates are exactly what they sound like: gates crafted from solid timber. At The White Horse Gate Company, we use Iroko, a premium African hardwood sometimes called African Teak. Iroko is one of the most durable timbers available for exterior use, naturally resistant to decay, insect attack and fungal growth, and capable of lasting for decades when properly treated.
Hardwood gates are handcrafted, typically by a skilled joiner or fabricator, and can be made to any specification. Every pair of hardwood gates is unique.
What Are Composite Gates?
Composite gates are made from a blend of materials, typically recycled wood fibres and PVC or polymer, pressed together and finished with a textured surface that mimics the look of natural timber. The technology has advanced enormously in recent years, and the best composite gates are genuinely convincing in their appearance.
Composite is a manufactured product, which means the finish is consistent and the range of available colours and wood-effect patterns is very wide.
Bespoke sliding and gates installed in Wiltshire. Finished in Ebony black cladding.
Appearance
Both materials can look stunning, but they have a different character.
Hardwood has an inherent warmth and depth that composite can't fully replicate. The grain is real, the texture is real, and the way it ages, developing a natural silver-grey patina if left untreated, or a rich warm glow when regularly oiled, gives it a character that manufactured products simply can't match. For period properties, country houses, farmhouses and rural entrances where authenticity matters, hardwood has the edge.
Composite has improved dramatically in recent years. High quality wood-effect finishes can be genuinely impressive, and in some cases it can be hard to distinguish from timber at a glance. The colour is consistent across the whole gate surface and won't fade or change over time the way natural wood does. For contemporary properties and new builds where a clean, uniform look is preferred, composite is an excellent choice.
Verdict on appearance: Hardwood wins on character and authenticity. Composite wins on consistency and colour choice.
Maintenance
This is where composite makes its strongest argument.
Hardwood requires regular maintenance to perform at its best. Iroko gates should be treated with a quality penetrating oil every one to two years, more frequently in the first few years after installation. Left untreated, they'll weather and gradually deteriorate, though Iroko is far more forgiving than softer timbers. The maintenance isn't onerous, but it needs to be done.
Composite requires almost no maintenance beyond an occasional clean with soap and water. It doesn't need oiling, staining or treating, and it won't warp, split or rot regardless of how wet it gets or how long it's left. For working farms, equestrian properties and busy households where time is limited, the low maintenance requirement of composite is a significant advantage.
Verdict on maintenance: Composite wins clearly.
Durability and Longevity
Hardwood Iroko gates, properly maintained, can last 30-40 years or more. Iroko is genuinely one of the most durable timbers available for exterior use, and a well-made pair of Iroko gates will outlast many of the houses they're hung on. The key is maintenance; a gate that's regularly oiled will last far longer than one that's left untreated.
Composite gates are designed for longevity. Most manufacturers offer warranties of 10-25 years against structural failure, rotting, warping and colour fade. In practice, a quality composite gate installed correctly should easily last 20-30 years with minimal intervention.
Verdict on durability: Both are very durable. Hardwood has the edge in outright longevity if properly maintained. Composite is more reliable if maintenance is likely to be overlooked.
Cost
Hardwood gates are generally more expensive than composite, reflecting the cost of the material, the skilled labour involved in their crafting and the premium finish. For a standard pair of residential swing gates in Iroko timber, expect to pay more than an equivalent pair in composite.
Composite gates are typically more cost-effective, making them the popular choice for homeowners who want a quality gate without the higher price point of natural timber.
It's worth noting that the long-term cost of ownership may even out - if you factor in the maintenance costs of hardwood over 20+ years, the gap narrows.
Verdict on cost: Composite is more affordable upfront.
Bespoke hardwood gates installed in Wiltshire.
Which Is Right for Your Property?
Choose hardwood if:
Your property is a period farmhouse, cottage, manor house or rural estate where authenticity and character matter
You're happy to carry out occasional maintenance
You want something genuinely bespoke and unique
The entrance is a focal point of the property and you want it to make a strong impression
Choose composite if:
You want a low-maintenance gate that looks after itself
You're on a farm, equestrian yard or working property where practicality is paramount
Your property is a modern or contemporary home where a clean, consistent finish suits the architecture better
You want the look of timber without the maintenance commitment
Of course, you don't have to choose in isolation - we're happy to bring samples to your site survey so you can see both materials in the context of your property before making a decision.
Talk to Us
The White Horse Gate Company installs electric gates, fencing, brick and stonework and access control across Wiltshire and the surrounding counties. We offer free, no-obligation site surveys and can advise on the right solution for your specific property, including talking through how to make the most of your entrance from a value perspective.
