Why QUALICOAT Makes All the Difference

When you invest in a Horizal gate, you are choosing far more than an attractive entrance to your property. You are selecting a product that has been engineered, tested, and certified to meet one of the highest global standards for architectural powder coating: QUALICOAT. This internationally recognised label is not just a marketing term. It is a rigorous specification that every part of the supply chain must follow, from the manufacturing of the powder to the application process on the aluminium itself.
Qualicoat Qualideco Aluminium Driveway Gates

What is QUALICOAT?

QUALICOAT is an international association dedicated to ensuring the long-term performance of architectural powder coatings. It has spent decades developing a detailed specification designed to deliver exceptional coating quality in any environment. Membership in the association is not automatic. All applicators, powder manufacturers, and pre-treatment system providers must go through a thorough approval process, maintain third-party accreditation, and submit to regular inspections.
These requirements are in place to make sure that every product which carries the QUALICOAT label meets the same high level of quality, no matter where it is made. It is this commitment to consistency and performance that makes QUALICOAT such an important feature of every Horizal aluminium gate.

The Benefits for Your Gate

A gate’s finish is about much more than its colour. While appearance is important, the coating must also protect the aluminium underneath from corrosion, withstand environmental stresses, and retain its look for decades. The QUALICOAT standard ensures that your gate will perform at this level by requiring:

  • Thorough testing of every batch. Each production run undergoes mechanical tests such as dry cross-cut adhesion, bending, and impact resistance. Environmental testing simulates years of exposure, including intense UV light, salt spray, humidity, and temperature fluctuations.

  • Independent laboratory checks. Panels are sent to QUALICOAT-approved laboratories for accelerated weathering and corrosion resistance trials. This independent verification ensures the product will last for its intended lifetime.

  • Precision curing control. The powder coating must be cured at specific temperatures for precise time periods, known as the curing index. This ensures the coating fully hardens and delivers maximum adhesion, hardness, and resistance to corrosion. Oven temperatures are monitored every shift, and full curing records are logged for third-party review.

  • Strict pre-treatment requirements. Before the coating is even applied, the aluminium must go through a pre-treatment process using QUALICOAT-approved systems. This step is carefully controlled and documented to make sure the surface is perfectly prepared to bond with the coating.

Aluminium Wrought Iron Effect Driveway Swing Gates

Built-In Peace of Mind

When you choose a Horizal Aluminium Gate, you are choosing a product that has been manufactured under a strict quality management process from start to finish. The QUALICOAT label means the coating has been tested in multiple ways, approved by independent experts, and applied according to the highest industry standards.

For you, that means a gate that will keep its colour, resist chipping and peeling, and stand up to the elements year after year. Whether your property is exposed to strong sunlight, coastal air, or fluctuating weather conditions, a QUALICOAT finish provides lasting protection and beauty.

The process behind QUALICOAT is detailed and demanding, but the result is simple. You get a gate that looks great, stays strong, and continues to perform well into the future. At Horizal, we believe that is an investment worth making, and it is why every one of our aluminium gates comes with QUALICOAT as standard.