Gates and railings: frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions we’re asked most about bespoke metal gates and railings in Cornwall. If yours isn’t here, just call 07971 671573.
Prices and quotes
How much do bespoke gates and railings cost?
Everything we make is made to measure, so there isn’t a price list. The cost depends mainly on size (the width of an opening or the length of a run), the design (plain bars cost less than twists, rings and scrolls), the finish, and the fixing (new posts, or existing piers and walls).
Tell us the rough size, the style you like and where you are, and we can usually give you a ballpark figure. After the site visit you’ll get a clear, written quote.
Why does a made-to-measure gate cost more than one from a DIY store?
A stock gate is made in bulk to a standard size, usually from lighter material, and it’s left to you to make it fit. A bespoke gate is designed for your opening, built from heavier sections, braced so it won’t drop, finished to last and hung properly. It should outlast several cheaper gates.
Do you charge for a site visit and quote?
Call us to talk through what you need, and we’ll arrange a visit to measure up and discuss the details.
The process
What happens after I get in touch?
We have a quick chat about what you need, then visit to measure up and talk through design, height, finish and fixing. You get a written quote. Once you’re happy, we make your gates or railings in our workshop, have them finished, and come back to fit them.
How long does it take?
It depends on the size of the job, the finish and how busy the workshop is. Galvanising is done by a specialist galvaniser, which adds time. We’ll give you a realistic date when we quote, and keep you posted if anything changes.
Do you fit what you make?
Yes. We make and fit everything we supply. Steve Brown runs Celtic Connexions and looks after every job personally, bringing in trusted tradespeople when a job needs them.
Can I send photos instead of waiting for a visit?
Please do. Photos of the opening or wall, with a couple of rough measurements, help us give you an idea of cost and design straight away. We’ll still visit to measure properly before anything is made.
Which parts of Cornwall do you cover?
All of it. We’re based near Wadebridge, so we’re closest to North Cornwall and the Camel estuary, but we work right across the county. See the areas we cover.
Materials, finishes and aftercare
Are your gates wrought iron?
Genuine wrought iron hasn’t been produced commercially for decades, so almost every “wrought iron” gate or railing made today is mild steel, ours included. Mild steel can be twisted, scrolled and shaped into every traditional style. Galvanised, it outlasts old ironwork by a long way.
What finish should I choose?
Hot-dip galvanising dips the finished steel in molten zinc, which coats it inside and out and protects it from rust. It’s the longest-lasting protection there is. The Galvanizers Association puts the life of a typical galvanised coating in the UK at 34 to 174 years, depending on the environment.
Galvanised and painted (a “duplex” finish) gives you black or any colour you like on top of that protection. If the paint is ever scratched, the zinc underneath stops rust spreading. It’s the finish we recommend for most Cornish properties, and especially near the sea.
Painted only costs less up front, but it needs more upkeep and isn’t recommended for coastal or exposed sites.
Will my gates rust near the sea?
Salt air is hard on metalwork, but galvanised steel copes with it well. Most of the rust you see on coastal gates and railings is on steel that was only painted. For anything within sight of the sea, we recommend galvanising.
How do I look after my gates and railings?
Very little is needed. Wash off salt and dirt occasionally, especially near the coast, oil the hinges and latches once or twice a year, and touch up any chips in painted finishes. Galvanised metalwork needs no painting at all unless you want a colour.
Planning, safety and regulations
Do I need planning permission for gates or railings?
Usually not. Permitted development rights allow gates, fences, walls and railings up to 1 metre high next to a road used by vehicles (or the footpath beside it), and up to 2 metres high elsewhere, without planning permission. The height includes any wall they sit on.
Those rights don’t apply to listed buildings or their grounds, or next to a listed building, and they can be removed in some places by an Article 4 direction or a planning condition. The Planning Portal has the full rules. If in doubt, check with Cornwall Council before you order.
I live in a conservation area. Does that change anything?
Cornwall has around 145 conservation areas, including parts of Padstow, Truro and many other towns and villages. Demolishing a gate, wall or railing there may need permission, and the council will want new work to suit the area. Traditional designs usually go down well. Check with Cornwall Council early.
How high do balcony railings need to be?
Under Building Regulations (Approved Document K), guarding on an external balcony or terrace of a home should generally be at least 1100mm high. Gaps should be small enough that a 100mm sphere can’t pass through, and the design shouldn’t make it easy for children to climb. We design balcony and terrace railings with this in mind.
Can you make gates that will be automated?
Tell us at the start if you want automation now or later, and we’ll design and build the gates and posts to suit.