Frequently asked questions

A photograph shows the design. It does not show everything that makes the gate work well over time.

The frame, material thickness, connections, hinges, locks, finish, foundations, motor, and installation all affect the price and performance.

Two proposals may look similar while including very different products and amounts of work. Compare the complete installed system, including service and warranty coverage.

At Mulholland Brand, we custom measure and fabricate products for the property. We want customers to understand what that involves and what they are paying for. A higher price deserves a clear explanation, and a lower price deserves the same attention to detail.

The answer depends on the installation price, environment, maintenance, and how long you expect to keep the product.

Wood offers natural beauty. Its maintenance needs depend on the species, finish, and exposure.

Steel can make sense when strength, security, or a particular design is the priority. Proper corrosion protection is essential.

Vinyl can be a practical option for a limited budget or a shorter ownership period. It may work well for enclosing a yard, provided the product's strength, spacing, height, and latch suit your pets and property. Quality vinyl is not necessarily temporary.

Aluminum offers many design possibilities, including finishes that resemble wood, with less routine refinishing. It still needs cleaning and attention to moving parts.

Compare the purchase price plus expected upkeep, repairs, and replacement. We favor aluminum for many residential projects, but no material is the best choice for everyone.

For a premium real wood gate, Ipe is one of our preferred choices. It is a dense, durable hardwood with a rich appearance.

Its weight must be considered when choosing the frame, hinges, posts, and motor.

If weathered Ipe remains structurally sound, proper cleaning, preparation, sanding where needed, and a suitable exterior hardwood finish can often restore much of its color and beauty. Penofin Hardwood Formula is one option designed for dense woods, including Ipe. Follow the product's application and oily rag disposal instructions. Refinishing cannot repair rot or serious structural damage.

Cedar and redwood can also perform well when properly selected and installed. Pine requires an appropriate treatment and specification. Lower quality boards, trapped moisture, and poor construction can create problems regardless of the species.

For a steel frame around wood, ask about galvanizing and drainage. Water trapped between wood and metal can encourage wood decay and metal corrosion. The details around the boards matter as much as the boards themselves.

Aluminum may not be the best fit when the budget, structural demands, or security requirements favor another system.

For military bases or other facilities requiring protection against vehicle impact, the decision must be based on a tested barrier system. A heavy gate alone does not establish that it can stop a vehicle.

Steel can be more economical for some demanding applications. Aluminum offers useful strength at low weight, but it is not universally stronger than steel. The alloy, dimensions, connections, foundations, and overall design determine performance.

For ordinary residential gates, aluminum often provides a useful balance of appearance, weight, and reduced upkeep. For specialized security, choose a system designed and tested for that purpose.

If you choose steel, ask about galvanizing and protection of welds and exposed areas. Galvanizing greatly improves corrosion resistance, although maintenance requirements still depend on the environment.

Look at how the product is engineered, connected, installed, and supported.

Some inexpensive kits use light components or screws with limited grip in the material. Repeated movement can loosen weak connections and allow a gate to sag.

Ask how the gate stays square, where the hinges attach, how the latch is supported, and whether replacement parts are available.

A properly designed frame can help resist movement and sagging. Well designed welded or mechanical connections can both provide lasting performance.

A plastic component or the absence of welding does not automatically mean a product is poor quality. The important question is whether the entire system is suitable for its size, daily use, and environment.

Ask for the actual material and coating specifications.

"Premium aluminum" is not enough information. The alloy, temper, profile dimensions, and connections should be appropriate for the application.

The same applies to powder coating. A beautiful finish on installation day does not tell you how well the surface was prepared or whether the coating was properly applied and cured.

Mulholland Brand sources aluminum from established suppliers, including European companies such as Aluminco, and operates its own powder coating facility.

We encourage customers to understand the materials and manufacturing process behind their project. Country of origin alone does not establish quality. Traceable materials, suitable specifications, consistent manufacturing, and dependable support matter more.

Look at installations that have been in use for several years.

Walk your neighborhood. With the owner's permission, take a closer look at hinges, locks, welds or other connections, posts, attachments, finish, and signs of rust.

For automatic gates, observe whether the movement is smooth and whether the gate appears aligned. Look at visible drive components, whether the system uses a chain, rack, or actuator.

Ask the owner how old it is, what maintenance it has needed, and how the company handled service.

Stay clear of moving gates and do not touch someone else's equipment. A conversation with a longtime owner can teach you more than a photograph of a brand new installation.

Often, the surprise is in the work surrounding the product.

Check whether the proposal includes removal and disposal, posts, foundations, concrete repairs, electrical supply, automation, access controls, safety devices, drainage, and any necessary engineering or permits.

Ask who handles each part, including work that requires another contractor. Confirm how unexpected conditions or requested changes will be priced and approved.

For a Mulholland Brand project, your written proposal should help answer one simple question:

"What else must be completed or paid for before I can use the finished system?"

Properly finished aluminum is a strong option for coastal properties, but salt exposure still requires attention.

Aluminum does not develop the red rust associated with steel, although it can experience other forms of corrosion. Hinges, fasteners, locks, and motors also need protection suited to the location.

We recommend fresh water rinsing to remove salt buildup, following the care instructions for the finish and equipment. Cleaning frequency should reflect the property's exposure.

Reduced maintenance is a real advantage. That still includes looking after the finish, checking hardware, and addressing damage promptly.

Wind should be considered before the gate is designed.

A large solid gate catches more wind than a more open design. In exposed areas, open slots or spaced profiles can reduce wind pressure. The posts, foundations, hinges, and motor must still be suitable for the application, and openings must meet the gate's safety requirements.

Cane bolts that drop into ground sockets can help secure a stationary gate when properly designed and installed for that purpose.

However, an automatic gate must never try to move while those bolts are engaged.

Ask the installer for the correct procedure to prevent powered movement, including from backup power, and to explain any required manual release. Simply keeping the remote out of reach is not enough if other controls can activate the gate.

The gate must remain secured against uncontrolled movement when released. Clear all restraints before restoring automatic operation. Never attempt to release or restrain a gate that you cannot safely control in the wind.

You can balance these goals, but full privacy usually involves tradeoffs.

Solid panels provide greater visual screening while blocking views and reducing airflow. Spaced profiles allow more openness, but someone may be able to see through them from certain angles. Clear glass preserves views but does not provide visual privacy.

At Mulholland Brand, we help customers consider the actual sightlines around the property.

Look from the sidewalk, neighboring windows, outdoor seating areas, and inside your home. Consider wind exposure as well.

The right design should work for how you live, not only look attractive from one angle.

A slope requires careful planning, but it does not automatically prevent an attractive result.

A gate needs clearance throughout its movement. A fence may follow the slope or use stepped sections. Railings need suitable anchoring and a layout that works with stairs, landings, and changes in elevation.

Mulholland Brand has experience with hillside properties and custom measurements. The solution depends on the actual terrain, supports, drainage, and available space.

Before fabrication, ask how the gate will move, how the fence will handle elevation changes, and where gaps will appear. These details should be understood during design.

The written terms matter more than the headline.

Ask what "lifetime" means and whether coverage includes the structure, finish, hinges, locks, motor, labor, and service visits.

Check maintenance requirements, exclusions, transferability, and who handles a claim. A replacement part may be covered while labor or travel is not.

For Mulholland Brand, request the warranty that applies to your particular products and installation. Motors and other components may have separate manufacturer coverage.

Keep the proposal, warranty, and care instructions together. You should understand what happens if something goes wrong and what costs, if any, remain your responsibility.

Rain protection depends on the specific roof system, drainage, installation, and weather conditions.

Closed louvers alone do not prove that everything underneath will remain dry. Ask how water is collected and discharged, what weather conditions the product is designed for, and what cleaning the drainage system needs.

Rain can also enter through open sides.

Mulholland Brand's Prestige pergola offers motorized louvers and integrated lighting. If keeping furniture dry is a priority, explain that before selecting a model and request its specific performance information.

Choose the pergola around how you plan to use the space, including shade, ventilation, lighting, and rain protection.

The operators we use have manual releases, allowing manual operation without relying on a backup battery.

Mulholland Brand uses LiftMaster LA400 and LA500 operators for swing gates and BFT operators for sliding gates. The release procedure depends on the particular model and installation.

Battery arrangements vary. Some operator packages include batteries, while other systems may require a compatible accessory for backup operation. Confirm what comes with your equipment and what is optional. Any batteries required by the operator's normal design must remain part of the system.

Ask for a demonstration of the manual release, any separate lock, and how to restore normal operation. Keep the release key somewhere accessible.

A jammed, damaged, or wind loaded gate should not be forced.

Reviews are useful, but they should be part of your research.

Look for detailed descriptions, actual project photographs, feedback over time, and responses to unhappy customers. A large review count does not automatically prove quality, and rapid growth does not automatically prove dishonesty.

Social media followers are not a measure of installation quality.

At Mulholland Brand, we do not buy fake reviews or encourage fabricated feedback. We want customers to describe their actual experience.

Compare reviews with customer references, older installations, the written proposal, and the company's history. Look for evidence of both quality work and responsible service.

We are not perfect, and an unhappy customer's experience deserves to be taken seriously.

Our company history began in 1994 with door hardware and perimeter security. Over time, the business expanded into the custom products and services we offer today.

Our work involves design, purchasing, fabrication, scheduling, and installation. Supply delays, miscommunication, and mistakes can happen. The volume of work we handle never makes a customer's concern less important.

Our goal is for every customer to be satisfied. Customers are our North Star. That means listening, taking responsibility for our part, explaining the next step, and following through.

When reading reviews, look at the original concern, the company's response, and whether the customer reports a resolution. We must earn trust through how we handle both successful projects and difficult situations.

Yes. Most standard installations are completed in a single day, thanks to our in-house fabrication, early-start teams, and coordinated logistics. Our crews often begin loading as early as 5:00 AM to ensure on-time, same-day completion.

Yes — we're known for it. Our extensive experience in areas like the Mulholland hills makes us one of the most trusted names for hillside work. We use specialized engineering and our patented IST system to ensure stable, seamless installations on challenging terrain.

All Mulholland products are custom-measured and custom-built to ensure a perfect fit and smooth operation — no one-size-fits-all solutions.

From consultation and measurement to engineering, fabrication, powder coating, and final installation, every step is handled by our dedicated in-house teams. The result is a seamless, high-quality experience from start to finish.

Yes. We offer extensive design options including glass panels, wood-tone aluminum, and laser-cut details. Our design consultants help create elegant solutions that harmonize with your property.

Aluminum is strong, rust-proof, recyclable, and maintenance-free. It offers long-term beauty and value. Iron rusts in 3–5 years in Southern California's coastal climate; wood warps, splits, and needs annual staining. Aluminum does none of that.

Yes. Our powder coating system is non-toxic and engineered specifically for aluminum, ensuring a safe, long-lasting finish. Our electrostatic powder-coat fuses to the aluminum at a molecular level, creating a water-tight, corrosion-resistant finish.

Yes. All products are fabricated in our 30,000 sq ft facility in Canoga Park, California.

No. Aluminum does not rust like iron or steel. It is highly durable and outperforms wood and iron in most outdoor conditions. Near the ocean, salt can build up on the surface, so regular rinsing with fresh water is recommended to protect the finish.

Yes. With a 24-month no-interest option or up to 10-year terms with no prepayment penalty. Rates start around 8.99%, and payments average about $190 per $10K. It's a smart way to complete larger projects and add value to your home.

Sometimes, yes. However, in most cases the fee is waived for serious inquiries. Each consultation offers high-value design insight and personalized support.

Yes. Your initial payment secures materials and kicks off fabrication. Once measurements are confirmed, your install date is scheduled within two business days.

Cancel within three business days at no cost. After that, we only charge for work already performed — fair and simple.

Yes. We offer the best price-to-value ratio. Our architectural aluminum products include custom hardware, powder coating, magnetic locks, and patented components — crafted in the U.S. When comparing quality and durability, we lead the industry.

It depends on the size of your property and the scope of work. Many homeowners, architects, and developers invest between $30,000–$300,000 to enhance their properties with gates, fences, pergolas, equipment covers, and garage doors. Many use our flexible financing options to manage the cost over time.

Yes — and more importantly, we honor them. Every product comes with a clear, written warranty: a one-year warranty for any defect related to manufacture or assembly, and a three-year warranty against rust. What matters more is the company behind the warranty. We're going to be here years down the road, and we'll be the ones backing up your product.

Mulholland Brand is a well-known and trusted name in the industry, with tens of thousands of installations across California. We are the only manufacturer in California with in-house employees — no dealers, no subcontractors. This means direct accountability, better quality control, and a seamless experience from design to installation.

We offer affordable service support even beyond your warranty. Most calls are resolved for $500 or less.

No. We do not service products we didn't build, no matter how tempting the job may be. We believe in responsibility: if we built it, we'll stand behind it. If we didn't, it's not our story — and we won't pretend it is. That's honesty you can trust.

We stand by our quality. If something matters and isn't perfect, we fix it. That's our promise.

Most likely, yes. We keep detailed project records — including colors and design specs — even 10+ years later. That means you can expand with matching products (gates, fences, pergolas, railings, or garage doors) whenever you're ready.

Yes. Our aluminum systems are non-combustible and have been CAL FIRE tested — field-tested in California wildfires, often remaining intact where other structures were lost.

Yes. In California's wildfire zones, aluminum is non-combustible and meets Zone-Zero defensible-space requirements — the 0-to-5-foot perimeter around your home where only non-combustible materials are allowed. While wood and vinyl ignite or melt, aluminum creates a fire-resistant perimeter.

Zone-Zero is the ember-resistant zone within 5 feet of your home, defined by the California Board of Forestry. It applies to properties in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. If your gate, fence, or railing is wood or vinyl within that zone, it may need to be replaced with non-combustible material like aluminum.

Yes. We serve Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, and San Diego Counties, with limited services in Palm Desert and the Bay Area for larger projects.

Yes. We offer beautiful hybrid solutions combining glass, wood-tone aluminum, lighting, and more.

While we don't handle the installation of electrical components, our products are designed for easy integration with automation and lighting systems.