wooden front gate
11 Jun

Want to learn how to build a gate fast and within 24 hours? A gate is something of which any home can benefit.

It can provide a point of entry into your yard, improve your privacy, and even increase your property’s security. With the right fence, a gate can be the final feature you need to set off your street appeal.

Still, there’s a reason why homeowners are without a beautiful front gate, and that’s the complexity. If you’re not a builder, you may not think it’s something you can do. As it turns out, you can.

Step One: Lay Out Your Criteria

You might know you need a gate, but do you know what kind of gate? Everyone will have wants and needs, dislikes, and likes.

The trick is to outline these before you begin so that you don’t run into any hurdles or design changes along the way.

The more intensive your plan, the smoother your gate-building process can run.

Height.

You will surely need your new, fancy gate to be of a specific height. How tall is your fence? It should at least be flush or near-enough even to your fence line.

If it’s not, the imperfect aesthetics may bug you for many years to come. Measure your fence with a measuring tape and write down the dimensions. You then have a base from which to start.

height of garden gate

Affordability

Everyone has a maximum dollar they want to spend on something. Think about what yours is, so you can choose materials and fixtures that fit within it.

If you don’t have a budget, then ask your friends and family what they spent on their gates.

You can also view building materials for sale online to get an idea of material prices. Fortunately, your labor is free.

Durability

Some building materials are more hard-wearing than others, and your climate also plays a part.

Make sure you are choosing the best available materials to handle the extreme weather you experience in your area. Sometimes, that may require spending a little more.

You can also look at staining, painting, and varnishing once you have finished the gate.

Construction Time

You aim to build a wooden gate in one day. That means you are going to need to think about the design elements and how quick they are to achieve.

For example, when you have only sunshine hours in 24 hours to whip up a gate, then you’re not going to hand carve wood art into your gate posts.

Step Two: Draw Your Gate

Having a clear picture in your head of what you want your gate to look like is fine. But once you start laying out building materials, it’s easy to get lost in what that picture is.

So, make it a real image. Sketch out your gate and label the measurements of height, width, and thickness. The more measurements you include, the easier it will be to source the right materials.

If you also write down the cuts you need to make into the wood, you may come across lumber yards that will cut them down to size for you. You’ll definitely have no problem whipping up a new gate in a single day.

wood planning

Step Three: Build Your Gate

Building your gate is not a single step on its own. However, you may be surprised at how easy it is to create a wooden gate once you have laid out your criteria and sketched it.

1. Cut your materials
The first thing you can do to help yourself build a gate quickly is to cut your materials to the correct size. Remember the adage of measure twice, cut once. The last thing you want to do is return to the lumber yard for more materials.

2. Lay out the gate
With all the pieces ready to go, lay them out in the shape the gate will be. By doing so, you can make sure that you have everything you need.

3. Create the frame
When you are building a wooden gate in one day, you’ve got to have something on which those wooden boards can attach. Remember, the first slat and last slat must have a solid frame. Otherwise, it will not be as strong as it needs to be.

4. Gluing and Screwing
With your framework in place, you can set about attaching your pre-cut pieces onto it. This piece is easy.

You will need a drill to add screws into the wood, and adhesive to keep them firmly in place over time. Give these plenty of time to dry before you move onto hanging the gate.

5. Hanging the Gate
While you might have had a budget for your gate materials, it pays not to skimp when it comes to the hinges. They will be in use daily and are responsible for keeping all that weighty wood in place for extended periods.

Talk to your local hardware depot about the best hinges for a gate. Look for keywords like “heavy-duty,” which can be a sign that they are up to the task. It also helps if they are stainless-steel or do not rust.

A post to attach the gate onto is essential, and you may like to concrete this in your ground for added strength. Attach the hinge to the post and your gate, and voila! You now have a gate that you were able to build in a single day!

Anyone Can Build A Front Gate Fast & In A Day

Whether you’re a handyman or not, anyone with access to power tools, hardware, and materials can produce a gate for their fence of which they are proud.

If you are not sure where to begin, take a photo of your fence, measure the gap, and visit your local lumber yard.

You’ll be armed with everything you need in no time. Could it be time to experience the benefits of a gate for yourself? Get building!

If you want to share any gate building stories or have questions on how to build a front gate fast or about our gate hardware feel free to send us a message on our Facebook fan page.

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