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Gates vs Railings: What Will Yours Actually Cost?

Janelle Wright · 2 Mar 2026
Gates vs Railings: What Will Yours Actually Cost?

We break down the line-item costs of common residential metalwork in 2026.

Jamaican fabrication has to handle conditions that the standard offshore spec sheets often miss. Salt-laden air, severe rainstorms, sudden hurricane wind loads, and rapid temperature swings between day and night. The right material, finish, and weld pattern can extend the life of a piece of structural steel from five years to twenty.

Material grades to ask for

Spec the right starting alloy and you save 80% of the future maintenance. Within 5km of the coast we default to 316 stainless or marine-grade aluminum; inland projects can comfortably run 304 with proper coating.

Coating matters as much as material

Powder coat applied over an etch primer doubles the surface lifespan vs. paint alone. We bake at 200°C for a hard, UV-stable finish that resists chipping.