What is the lifespan of a steel gate?

Author: Robin Bayer  |  Last update: Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Steel gate and balcony lifespan: Steel is strong, durable, and cost-effective, making it a great option for gates and balconies. When looked after, steel fabrications can last from 35 to 50 years.

How long do steel gates last?

As long as they're given proper finishing and maintenance, metal gates and fences will last a lifetime. To be a bit more specific, at the very least they'll last a few decades, and in fact it's not uncommon for metal gates to last 70 years or more.

What is the life expectancy of a gate?

A good system that was designed correctly should fulfil a reasonable 15 to 20 years with routine servicing and adequate maintenance. So 15 or more years should be a fair reliable security gate life expectancy, subject to wear & tear and void of damage.

What is the life expectancy of steel?

But just how long do they actually last? Steel buildings have a lifespan of around 50 years, although some can last up to 100 years with proper maintenance. If you're looking for a building that will last for many years, steel is a great option.

What is the lifespan of an iron gate?

Regular inspections and proactive maintenance are key to maximizing the longevity of iron gates. If well-maintained, a high-quality iron gate can last 50 years or more, while some historic iron gates have stood for well over a century.

Lifetime Steel Posts by Pacific Fence

How long should a gate last?

If properly maintained, your new garden gates or driveway gates can easily last for more than 10-20 years, and they can be fully automated for your convenience.

How long is the life expectancy of a steel fence?

Galvanizing & Durability Of Metal Fencing. Made from premium mild steel, Barkers palisade fencing is hot-dip galvanized to give it an expected average lifespan of more than 25 years.

Does steel get weaker with age?

Aging process had a little effect on room temperature tensile strength but severely affected yield strength, ductility, and the microhardness. Increased aging time and temperature resulted in extra deterioration of stainless steel properties.

What is the lifespan of structural steel?

When considering an investment in a metal building, an important factor is its expected longevity and lifespan. Properly maintained steel buildings can last over 50-100 years. The durability and lifespan depend on the quality of materials used, weather conditions, regular maintenance, and preventative care.

Does steel last longer than concrete?

Naturally, durability is going to be one of the first questions that come up with any construction material. Ultimately, steel wins out, but concrete is far from poor in this regard. Concrete structures are easily resistant to fire damage, wind damage, and pests.

How much does it cost to replace a gate?

Some gates are available in prepackaged kits for easy DIY installation, costing around $200 to around $2,500. Custom gates will depend on what features you are looking for, but prices will range from around $700 to $12,000.

How long do driveway gates last?

Driveway gates can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years, depending on how well you maintain your gate, the material type, how frequently you use it, and whether you choose an automatic or manual gate.

Does a gate increase property value?

It Adds Value To Your Home

Driveway gates have a classic curb-appeal that can significantly increase the value of your home if you ever want to sell it. Curb-appeal is a major factor in drawing in potential buyers to any property; thus, it's a great selling feature to boast.

How do you maintain a steel gate?

Clean your gate: A few times a year, treat your fence to a washdown using warm water and dish detergent. You may need to use a toothbrush to reach any nooks and crannies. After the wash, rinse the fence and allow it to dry. Finish off the operation by applying a coat of metal-grade wax.

How long does steel last outdoors?

The zinc coating of hot-dipped galvanized steel will last in the harshest soil is 35 to 50 years and in less corrosive soil 75 years or more. Although humidity affects corrosion, temperature itself has less of an impact. Galvanized zinc coatings respond well in extreme cold and hot temperatures.

How long should a gate motor last?

If motors are working correctly and are pushing the correct load for their make and model they should last 10 to 15 years. A major problem occurs when people put motors on gates that require the motor to work at 100% of their capability all the time. This means that the motor will simply wear out faster.

How many years can steel last?

Under ideal circumstances, weathering steel can last for decades. In fact, properly designed weathering steel bridges have achieved lifespans up to 120 years with minimal maintenance.

What is the maximum span of a steel structure?

Spans in excess of 20 m can be achieved (for the purposes of this article the definition of long span is taken as anything in excess of 12 m). Generally long spans result in flexible, column-free internal spaces, reduce substructure costs, and reduce steel erection times.

What is the end life of steel?

End of the life cycle

Stainless steel can be recycled infinitely - and it suffers no quality degradation during reprocessing.

How long does it take for steel to degrade?

Steel takes approximately 50 years to decompose, while aluminium can last up to 200 years.

Does steel fatigue over time?

Over time this can cause the metal to weaken or even break down entirely in some cases. This process often happens slowly over time until it reaches a breaking point, and for this reason, metal fatigue can be difficult to detect until it has progressed significantly.

How long do metal gates last?

Delivering durability for decades

On average, a well-maintained wrought iron gate should last at least a decade, however, it's important to note that a high-quality powder coating can last around 20 years and can be carried out in just about any colour imaginable – and in a variety of finishes from smooth to textured.

How long should a steel last?

Generally, galvanised steel lasts between 25 to 50 years before it starts losing its integrity. The exact lifespan depends on a few factors: Type of galvanisation: There are four main methods of steel galvanisation, and which one you choose has a big impact on the metal's lifespan.

What fence lasts the longest?

As we mentioned above, galvanized steel chain-link fencing is the longest lasting type of fence. It is not the most popular type of fence, however, because it lacks privacy and curb appeal.

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