How to fit a garden gate
You will need:
-
Gate
- Two 10cm or 12.5cm (4 or 5in) square gate posts
- Hinges and latch
- Measuring tape
- Battens: 5cm x 2.5cm (2 x 1in)
- Nails
- Spade
- Bricks
- Concrete
- Spirit level
- Hardcore
- Trowel
Time to complete job: 6 hours plus one week for the concrete to set.
Approximate budget: £90
When picking your gate, choose a style to match your fence and house and consider whether you'll be painting your gate with a specialist exterior paint.
Choose a good quality hardwood gate, or a softwood which has been pressure treated with a wood preservative. Gate posts should also be pressure treated. Alternatively, use concrete posts with pre-drilled holes for attaching timber gate fittings.
-
Step 1: Sizing up
Lay the gate on the ground and place the posts on either side. Next lay the hinges and latch in position.
Check the posts to make sure there is a small gap when the gate is closed and use a measure to check the posts are parallel with their tops aligned.
Tip: For gates under a metre high, post widths should be 10cm (4in) square. Higher gates should be 12.5cm (5in). Posts should be at least 45cm (18in) longer than the gate to stand slightly higher and must be sunk into foundations at least 45cm (18in) below ground level. -
Step 2: Preparing the gate
Nail 5 x 2.5cm (2 x 1in) battens across the posts in a Z shape so that the posts do not move when lifted.
Fix the lower batten where the base of the gate will hang. -
Step 3: Digging the post holes
Dig the post holes. The post bases should be at least 45cm (18in) below ground so you need a hole 10cm (4in) deeper than this, with a clearance of 10cm (4in) all around.
Place a house brick at the base of each hole. -
Step 4: Fitting the gate posts
Lift the two posts, still attached together, and place in the holes, ensuring each post is centred in the hole.
Add hardcore and compress to ensure the base is firm. Prop the poles firmly in place by fixing 5 x 2.5cm (2 x 1in) battens all around the gate.
Check posts are vertical and that the top and bottom battens are horizontal.
If the soil between the posts is not firm it may be necessary to add a concrete bridge 15cm (6in) wide and 10cm (4in) deep between posts to ensure they do not move when the gate is opened and closed.
Fill the holes with concrete and shape at the top to ensure any rain runs away from posts and check again that the verticals and horizontals are correct before leaving for a week to set.
Tip: Look out for fast-setting concrete specially made for fence and gate posts. -
Step 5: Finishing
Once the concrete is firmly set, remove the batten props. Next attach the hinges and latch and fit the gate.
Tip: If you can't find a gate you like, or if you need an unusual size, ask a local carpenter to make one.
-
- Add to My UKTV
- Social Bookmarking
- Printer friendly version
- Send to a friend
- Comment on this
Text size: A- decrease text size A reset text size A+ increase text size
RELATED ARTICLES
-
How to choose a sofa bed
Always be prepared for unexpected guests with ...
-
Tracing an electrical fault
Here are some common causes of electrical faults ...
Advertisement
GALLERIES
Home galleries
-
Stylish Christmas gifts for under a tenner Gifts for under a tenner? It may seem a challenge ...
-
Barbarella bathroom Sensual curves and Sixties-style geometrics give ...
-
Christmas wreaths Create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your ...
User galleries
-
Plum paradise Created by VikiC5995
It may be a bit 'matchy matchy' for some ...
-
Our House Created by jackie rossi 46
...
-
Christmas at our house.... Created by Indigirl
I guess it's the understated look for ...
Latest bookmarks
-
How to install a doorbell Don't miss important callers - follow this ...
-
Tracing an electrical fault Here are some common causes of electrical faults ...
-
How to fit a new front door Fitting a new front door is easy with this simple ...
COMMENTS