Despite the emergence of new attractive building materials, traditional wood is not losing its position. It is beautiful, durable and easy to process. No special skills are required to work with wood. True, it is a fire hazard and deteriorates from moisture, but this can be easily corrected with special impregnations. Let's figure out how to make a wooden gate with your own hands so that it turns out beautiful and functional.
What is important to consider
What else should you pay attention to when looking for the perfect garden gate?
- The gate should be selected taking into account the individual preferences of the household. Someone will choose a transparent model, thanks to which the garden will be “open to the world,” while at the same time abandoning the atmosphere of intimacy. Others will prefer a model that will create an enclave of peace and relaxation in this space, hiding the territory from prying eyes.
- It is important to saturate the wood from which the gate is made, because its durability and strength largely depend on this.
- Simultaneous reinforcement of the model's frame with horizontal and vertical elements allows us to obtain a durable structure that will last for many years, remaining in excellent condition.
Device
The gate consists of supporting pillars and a door leaf on a frame, which is attached to the pillars using hinges. The pillars can be brick (stone), wood or metal. When laying bricks, small pieces of thick metal or a thick metal rod are walled up into bricks, to which the frame is subsequently welded.
Unusual gates with a wooden frame and original filling
Metal poles are made from round or profiled pipes with thick walls. Round pipes are used less and less: it is more difficult to weld or attach anything to them. A profiled pipe with the same cross-section (diagonal compared to diameter) and wall thickness can withstand high wind loads; it is easier to weld or fasten to flat edges using self-tapping screws and bolts. Therefore, it is increasingly used when installing gates. Another option is to weld a metal corner to the frame made of a profile pipe. In this case, the filling will appear as if in a frame.
The construction of gates with wooden and metal frames is the same
Wooden posts are usually used if the fence is wooden. Most often, the pillars are pine beams treated with protective impregnations. They prevent (or slow down) the destruction of wood. But there are also cases when metal poles are installed, but the gate and fence are wooden. This is because wood in the ground quickly rots, even after protective treatment.
A little about the design of the support frame. It can simply be two pillars dug into the ground - this option is suitable if the soil is not prone to heaving (sand, sandy loam, fertile but not clayey soils).
The pillars began to move. If there are jumpers at the top and bottom (in this case you can make an arch at the top), the likelihood of such a problem will be much reduced
For heaving soils (clay, loams), it is desirable that the pillars be connected at the top and bottom. In this case, the likelihood of the gate skewing after winter is very small. If you do not want to make a threshold in the opening, the lower lintel can be lowered below ground level (by a bayonet and a half). It will need to be thoroughly coated with an anti-corrosion compound, primed, and painted in several layers. And to avoid distortion, you should bury the pillars below the freezing level by at least 15-20 cm.
The frame of the gate is made of metal pipes or wooden blocks. Wood is used for wooden fences, metal - in all other cases.
Wicket width
When owners choose a fence and gate, they often pay attention only to their aesthetic qualities. This is not entirely correct, because you should remember about the size of the structure and the methods of its fastening. What does this mean in practice? What to consider before installing a gate?
Family members and guests should be able to comfortably and unhinderedly pass through the country gate, so the choice of its width cannot be left to chance. According to experts, the best and at the same time the most frequently chosen solution by buyers is a one-meter wide gate.
It will also be better if it swings completely open to 180 degrees so that people can move around comfortably. The instructions on how to make a gate include various subtleties.
How to make a metal gate with your own hands: step-by-step instructions
You can cope with the creation of the entrance part of the fence yourself, if you follow the recommendations and follow the main stages of the work.
Create a drawing
Proper fencing planning on paper is an opportunity to avoid mistakes in practice. When choosing the size of the gate, the height and physique of the residents of the house are taken into account, so that they can pass through the doorway comfortably at any time of the year. At this stage, it is decided how and in which direction the door will open, and calculations of material consumption are performed.
Manufacturing and assembly of the frame
Let's look at an example of creating a metal rectangular frame for a gate. To do this you need to be proficient with a welding machine. It is better not to take on such work without experience.
The procedure is as follows:
- Use a grinder to cut pieces of pipes of suitable sizes.
- The workpieces are cleaned of rust and treated with a protective primer.
- The resulting pieces are laid out on a flat horizontal surface in the form of a rectangle.
To ensure that all the parts do not move, the craftsmen recommend making a device such as a jig. An OSB sheet with dimensions slightly larger than the future frame is suitable. The pieces are fixed to the sheet with clamps (clamps) on both sides of the welding site.
- Fixed pieces of pipes are grabbed at small intervals. During welding, you need to maintain the evenness of the corners and check that the pieces of pipes lie perpendicular.
- They take a blank from the corners with the edges cut at 45 degrees, carefully lay them inside the frame and weld them.
- Once again check the evenness of all connections, carefully weld the joints of pieces of pipes and corners.
- Once the frame has cooled, the clamps can be removed.
All welding points and seams are carefully ground and cleaned.
Welding hinges
For a regular gate, you need to buy high-quality hinges designed for swing gates. They are welded in a strictly vertical position on the same axis.
Any distortion will cause difficulties when opening/closing and will speed up the breakdown of the gate.
First you need to weld the bottom hinge. The distance from the bottom edge of the frame to the loop is taken on average from 25 to 30 cm. This is done with a tack, then the level is checked. If the vertical is maintained, then it can be done with a continuous seam.
In the same way, on the same axis, only at a distance of 25–30 cm from the top of the frame, the upper hinge is welded. The hinges must be adjacent to the frame profile.
After this, pieces of the profile of the required length for the jibs are cut and welded.
Builders recommend paying attention to counter-installation of hinges or the “anti-burglary” method, when the hinges are placed towards each other. With this installation, the gate cannot be removed from its hinges, only cut with a grinder.
Fastening to the hinges of the wicket frame
To make it easier to level the frame, you need to take a flat piece of timber and lay it between the posts on the ground. A welded frame is placed on top of it in a strictly vertical position. For free opening in winter, the distance from the ground to the gate should be 10 cm. On the posts, mark with chalk the places where the hinge parts are attached. The parts are tack welded.
First, grab the bottom, then the top loop, check the ease of opening and closing. After this, the elements pass through a continuous seam.
Open sections of pipes must be closed. This can be done by welding, welding a metal plate, filling it with sealant, or buying a plastic cover of a suitable size.
Installation of accessories
Now the lock and other locking mechanisms (latch, hook, deadbolt) are being installed.
For a fence gate, a good option would be a mortise lock with an outward opening and the ability to close with a rotary mechanism from the yard.
The recommended level for fastening the lock and handle is 90 cm from the ground.
The counter part of the lock is mounted in the post precisely after hanging the blade on the hinges.
People search:
- Mortise electromechanical lock for gate
- Magnetic lock for gate
Painting
All welding points are ground. To speed up the process, it is better not to do this manually, but to put a metal grinding wheel on the grinder, and then degrease the metal and cover it with a layer of primer. After a day, the frame can be painted in a suitable color.
Frame covering
The metal frame is sheathed with corrugated sheets, wooden or Euro picket fences, or sheet steel (at the owners’ choice).
Additional finishing will be forged parts. To prevent precipitation and moisture from entering the lock, a small canopy or canopy can be installed on top of the gate.
Wicket location
When deciding to build a fence, you need to take into account the presence of a wicket, and most often a gate.
However, before erecting a fence, it is necessary to plan the location of the wicket and gate. Photos of the location of the gate can be found on the Internet.
Most often, both elements are mounted next to each other, which allows cables (if any) to be laid in the same direction. This arrangement is also convenient and aesthetically pleasing.
How to make a door in a gate leaf
You can save a lot of effort and money if you install the door structure into the gate leaf. However, this only applies to metal swing products. A door installed in a sliding or sectional gate is very difficult to make yourself.
The location of the gate is closer to the inner edge of the sash
The step-by-step instructions are as follows:
- The support next to the door must be reinforced (corrugated pipe 110x110x4 mm), concreted at least 1.3 meters deep, regardless of the depth of soil freezing.
- The width of the gate should be no more than half the length of the gate leaf.
- The frame is made with one transverse stiffener and two diagonal ones.
Drawings of metal and wood structures
With wooden structures it is a little more difficult: it will not be possible to make a door entrance without losing the rigidity of the structure. This can only be done if the gate leaf is made of durable (expensive) wood.
If the gate leaves are made of coniferous wood, the gate can only be hung next to the gate.
Inside view
Selecting gates and wickets
Regardless of what type of fence will be installed, you need to take into account not only the width of the gate and wicket, but also their type. In the case of gates, models with an electric strike and intercom are increasingly being installed. However, ordinary gate locks are also still used.
As for gates, you can choose between swing (single, double) or sliding models. Choosing the right solution is not always a matter of preference. Swing gates must open towards the center of the site, so they require more space.
When there is no such place, it is best to choose sliding gates. However, in this case you need to remember that for this you need a suitable place along the fence.
Gates and wickets are key elements of every fence. The correct layout of such elements will increase the comfort of entering and exiting the territory, and also ensure safety. To achieve the best result, you can choose the gate together with the wicket, rather than separately.
Construction of gates made of profile sheets
Before making a gate, you need to either develop a project yourself, or use ready-made drawings, diagrams and design sketches. This will allow you to accurately calculate building materials.
Finished product made from corrugated sheets
Materials and tools:
- Profiled pipe or angle 30 mm.
- Profiled sheet 1.6 mm thick.
- Primer for metal.
- A pipe with a cross section of 10 cm will be required as supports.
- Acrylic paint.
- Gasoline for degreasing.
- Welding.
- Rope for marking.
- Sander.
- Screwdriver.
- Garden drill.
Design diagram
The metal entrance gate structure must be mounted on profile pipes 60x60x3 mm, which are dug to a depth of 1 m. Mark the area and places where the supports will be attached. Using a grinder, cut the required size of the post plus 1 meter.
Drawing of a swing gate with an additional wicket
Dig holes for supports. The width of the supports must be 15 centimeters greater than the cross-section of the professional pipe. After this, mix the cement mortar. Insert the post, cover it with a layer of fine gravel (about 20 centimeters), compact it, then fill the hole completely with solution. The frame is based on a metal profile - a corner or a square corrugated pipe 55x55x3 mm. A frame is assembled from a pipe by welding.
Installation diagram
Taking into account the created sketch of the frame, cut the required size blanks from the long profile. Lay out the parts on the table and connect them using a welding machine. For better frame rigidity, attach cross braces. The frame must be spot welded. This will save time for assembling the structure.
Frame creation diagram
The last stage is attaching the corrugated sheet to the door frame. Cut the door leaf to the required size. Remove burrs from cut areas. Secure the cut sheet. The connection of the corrugated sheet to the wicket frame is carried out by welding using the continuous seam method.
Wooden garden gates
It is well known that wood predominates in garden spaces as a building material. It has been used for many years, constantly (despite the emergence of new possibilities, including metal gates).
What types of it are used to make gates?
- Pine wood is often used because it is famous for its high resistance to rotting.
- Manufacturers also use hazel, which looks very stylish in the garden.
Other types of wood are used less frequently, but buyers can also buy them. It is important to choose materials that combine reliability, high quality and aesthetic appearance.
Many summer residents assemble their models themselves, because this does not require special tools or skills.
Material selection
Like any street structure, the gate is constantly exposed to adverse factors. These are precipitation, temperature changes, ultraviolet radiation, frost. Without proper protection, everything irreparably damages the material. Different breeds exhibit varying degrees of weather resistance. This must be taken into account when choosing. Let's find out the characteristics of tree species.
- Larch. A representative of conifers, therefore it contains a large amount of resin. Thanks to this, it has high moisture resistance and is resistant to rotting. However, impregnation with an antiseptic is still necessary. One of the advantages is the beautiful color and pronounced texture.
- Spruce. Refers to soft rocks, prone to rapid rotting upon contact with moisture or soil. Easy to process, but at the same time strong and durable (subject to regular treatment with wood impregnations). The price of such lumber is low.
- Birch. It has dense, hard wood. Difficulties may arise during processing. The lumber is well polished, deeply impregnated and painted with high quality. In humid conditions it rots quickly and requires regular treatment with an antiseptic.
- Pine. A soft, pliable breed. It is durable, resistant to deformation after drying, and lightweight. Pine is easy to work with. It is quite simply processed and impregnated with high-quality special compounds.
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When choosing lumber, not only the species, but also the type of board is taken into account. It is not necessary to buy the most expensive “Extra” or “Prima” products, but you also don’t need to buy low-quality ones. For the gate, choose a material of at least third grade. You should definitely inspect it carefully before purchasing. There should be no rot, discoloration or stains, or dead knots falling out. The geometry of the board must be correct.
Another important aspect of the choice is the purchase of raw materials that have undergone atmospheric drying. This is an edged board, timber, lath or lining. Working with raw lumber is strongly discouraged. After assembly, there will inevitably be an atmospheric drying process. Wooden parts are deformed, which will spoil the appearance of the structure and negatively affect its functionality.
- Country cottage area
Detailed instructions for installing a fence made of Euro picket fence with your own hands
Buying a wooden gate
Enthusiasts of modern solutions usually rely on metal elements. However, lovers of classics in garden space and the fact that wooden building elements fit perfectly with vegetation much more often prefer wooden models.
It should be emphasized that their prices are usually lower than those that you have to pay when buying forged gates, while the specific charm of the wood is crucial for some summer residents.
With proper impregnation of a wooden gate, customers are guaranteed many years of protection from adverse conditions. You need to remember this both when purchasing and when creating a gate with your own hands.
Examples of beautiful gates in photographs
The photo below shows examples of finished gates made from different materials with unusual design options.
A beautifully designed gate will become a decoration, a highlight of the fence. The material and color should harmoniously complement the overall picture. With the right approach, you can make a beautiful and reliable entrance door to the yard with your own hands.
Cheap or expensive gate?
Many garden lovers simply cannot imagine that any other material other than wood will appear in their space. Elements made from it (wooden gates or wickets) have long been valued by summer residents.
Swing gates go well with gazebos, houses, or, finally, with the above-mentioned vegetation. However, choosing cheap models is not necessarily a good option, it is better to invest a little more to enjoy high quality.
Therefore, you should choose durable, reliable and aesthetically pleasing wooden gates for your garden, which will delight owners for many years with their impeccable appearance and practicality.
Design options for wooden entrance gates
During the manufacture of any structure, the choice of lumber is of no small importance. It is advisable to choose deciduous or coniferous varieties. Larch is the most durable material. Therefore, if a long service life is important, purchase this particular variety.
Moreover, the thickness of the board for assembling the door leaf should be the same.
Types of entrance groups models
Picket fence products
Doors that are small in height or protected from the wind are best made of wood using a frame design. For standard canvases, the frame of the entrance gate is made of a board measuring 35x140 cm, the main planks are 20x80 cm. The support should be made in a Z-shape.
Sketch of a model made from a wooden picket fence
If the filling of the door leaf is unable to withstand increased loads, the frame should be made in the shape of an hourglass (X-shaped supporting structure) or a “butterfly”. In the latter case, under the sheathing of 15x25 mm beams, 2 crossbars are installed horizontally at the top and bottom, the X-shaped structure is framed along the entire perimeter. For a door that is stretched in height, it is better to make an E-shaped frame.
Load distribution scheme
garden gate
As a rule, canvases are made with an openwork pattern. To ensure good strength, it is better to make a frame gate. The elements at the joints are cut into half the tree and secured with several diagonally installed self-tapping screws.
Scheme of the stages of wicket assembly
Beautiful frame products will be obtained from the interior door leaves for small glazing.
