Choosing the right material for your automated gate is one of the most important parts of your project. Your gate materials need to be strong, secure, and beautiful—something that fits your property and performs over time.
At Heron Building Co, we design and build high-end custom driveway gates using top-tier materials, with a focus on aesthetics and durability.
Why Gate Materials Matter
Gate materials impact everything—from your entrance’s durability and curb appeal to the amount of maintenance you’ll need to do over time. Choosing the right materials can mean fewer repairs, smoother function, and a gate that feels right for your property style.
Below, we break down the two most popular material options we offer: metal gates and wood gates.
Metal Gates
Steel Gates
Steel gates are our most popular and trusted choice for driveway gates in Nashville. They’re strong, secure, and can be fully customized to suit your home. Every steel gate we build is fabricated right here in Nashville, which means we control the quality from start to finish. Steel gates can be painted or powder-coated in a variety of finishes and colors, allowing you to match your gate to your home’s style perfectly.
Aluminum Gates
Aluminum is a great choice for lightweight applications. We use aluminum gates for pedestrian entrances and walkway gates where ease of use and rust-resistance are most important. However, we do not recommend or build aluminum driveway gates—they are too lightweight and flimsy for that application. That said, we can design your aluminum pedestrian gate to match an existing aluminum fence for a cohesive look.
Wood Gates
Steel-Core Wrapped Wood Gates
For those who love the warm, timeless look of wood, we offer custom wood gates that are built to last. Our wood gates are fabricated with a heavy-duty steel skeleton on the inside for strength and wrapped with high-performance hardwoods or architectural lumber for a beautiful, solid-wood appearance. This gives you the best of both worlds—luxury looks and long-term durability. These gates are perfect for estate homes, modern farmhouses, or traditional properties that call for a natural aesthetic.
Mixed Material Gates
Want something truly custom? We also design gates that combine both wood and metal elements, giving you the flexibility to create a one-of-a-kind entrance. These mixed-material gates are ideal for modern homes or transitional styles where both warmth and structure are key.
What to Consider When Choosing Gate Materials
Style of Your Home
Modern, traditional, farmhouse, or transitional—the materials you choose should match or enhance the architectural vibe of your property.
Maintenance
Wood needs a bit more care over time, but with high-performance lumber and a protective steel core, it’s easier than ever to maintain. Metal gates tend to be lower maintenance, especially with high-quality, self-healing paint.
Security
Both wood and steel are strong choices. Steel is naturally more resistant to force and wear, while our wood gates have that hidden steel core that gives you just as much peace of mind.
Weather Resistance
Nashville weather can be tough. From hot summers to rainy winters, your gate needs to hold up. Steel and performance-grade woods both do an excellent job standing up to the elements.
Gate Automation
All our gates are designed to pair with modern gate automation systems. Whether you’re choosing wood, steel, or a combination, we ensure your materials work seamlessly with the gate operator, access control, and smart home features.
Let’s Build Your Custom Gate
At Heron Building Co, we bring together expert design, custom fabrication, and full-scope outdoor construction to create statement entrances. Whether you choose the sleek strength of metal, the warm character of wood, or a modern mix of both, we’ll help you create a gate that’s functional, beautiful, and built to last.
Explore more about our automated driveway gate services in Nashville or check out our full outdoor entrance portfolio to get inspired.
Heron Building Co is a Premier Fence & Gate Contractor in Nashville and Franklin, catering to luxury homeowners and specializing in design-forward fencing services with a focus on premium materials, top-notch craftsmanship, and above and beyond customer service. We have a decade of experience in residential and commercial fencing and outdoor craftsmanship.
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