Repeated hail episodes, storms, torrential rain… In recent years, violent weather events have been increasing in France. And each time, the same observation is made in front of homes: gates dented, rusted, cracked, ready for replacement. However, not all materials react in the same way. Wood swells, PVC breaks, steel rusts. Aluminum, on the other hand, withstands the impact. Here’s why an aluminum gate remains standing when others end up at the scrap yard.
What Hail Really Does to a Gate
The impact of hail is often underestimated. Hailstones 2 to 4 cm in diameter, common during summer thunderstorms, strike surfaces at over 100 km/h. On a gate, this leaves its mark. PVC cracks or shatters under impact, especially when it has aged and lost its flexibility. Wood is deeply marked, and the moisture that then infiltrates accelerates rot. Steel, if not continuously treated, dents and then rusts as soon as the paint chips.
Aluminum absorbs impacts differently. It is lightweight yet rigid enough to withstand shocks without permanent deformation. It does not rust, crack, or rot. After a hail event, an aluminum gate can simply be cleaned with a water jet. That’s all.
Aluminum vs. Other Materials: A Direct Comparison
There’s no need to beat around the bush. Here’s what concretely happens when severe weather strikes:
- Wood: swelling from moisture, cracks after drying, mandatory annual maintenance (stain, paint), susceptibility to fungi and insects
- PVC: yellowing under UV, embrittlement in cold, clean breaks under violent impact, possible deformation in high heat
- Steel / Wrought Iron: corrosion at the slightest scratch, significant weight that strains hinges, regular anti-rust maintenance
- Aluminum: impervious to corrosion, dimensionally stable, UV resistant, no structural maintenance required
Over time, especially in regions exposed to climatic hazards, aluminum is the material that ages best without requiring effort.
No Rust, No Rot: Zero Maintenance Is Not Just a Marketing Claim
When we talk about “maintenance-free” gates, it’s often an exaggeration. But for aluminum, it’s almost literal. The material naturally resists oxidation. Its surface forms an invisible protective layer, alumina, which prevents any corrosion. Add to this powder coating, the standard finish on quality aluminum gates, and you get a surface that lasts for decades without flaking or tarnishing.
A quick wipe or a hose-down once or twice a year is sufficient. No treatment, no sanding, no repainting every three years. For someone who has neither the time nor the desire to pamper their gate every spring, this is a significant advantage.
The Lightness of Aluminum, an Often Overlooked Advantage
An aluminum gate weighs on average two to three times less than a steel gate of equivalent dimensions. This is not just a matter of ease of installation. A lighter gate puts less strain on the motorization, hinges, and pillars. The result: less mechanical breakage over time, especially after wind gusts that severely test the opening system.
In windy areas or by the sea, where salt accelerates the corrosion of steel and iron, aluminum is the logical choice. It fears neither salty air, constant humidity, nor temperature variations.
Varied Designs Without Sacrificing Solidity
Some still believe that choosing aluminum limits them to a “cold modern” look. This is incorrect. Aluminum gates are now available in a wide range of styles: contemporary, traditional, openwork, solid, with or without decoration. Powder coating allows for selection from dozens of RAL colors, including rather convincing wood-effect finishes.
At Districlos, aluminum gates are available in several dimensions and configurations, swing or sliding, with models in stock, ready for in-store pickup or home delivery. The network is present throughout France, allowing you to be advised by specialists who understand local constraints: wind exposure, hail risks, PLU regulations.
Invest Once Rather Than Replacing Every Ten Years
Yes, an aluminum gate costs more to purchase than an entry-level PVC or wood model. But the calculation over 15 or 20 years completely changes the game. Zero maintenance costs, no premature replacement after a storm, no motorization to change because the gate has become too heavy from swelling… Over this period, the total cost of ownership of an aluminum gate is often lower than that of a wood or steel gate.
And when you see photos of gates destroyed after an intense hail episode, which happens every year in the southwest, the Rhône Valley, or eastern France, the material question no longer really arises. Aluminum is not a luxury; it is a precaution.
Expert in fencing, gates, and outdoor landscaping since 2019.
Holds a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing – SEO, UX/UI.
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