There are all sorts of reasons for adding a gate to a garden fence. You might want to let your children get into next door’s garden to play with their friends. Perhaps your newly landscaped garden has a new path. Whatever the reason, a garden gate installation can be easily done without much hassle or expense.
Editor’s Note [23.07.2024]:
Our article about how to add a garden gate into a fence was originally published on March 15, 2016. Today we added a section “What are the reasons to add a gate to a fence?” with six important reasons. Also added were the following steps in our step-by-step plan gathering tools, materials, & equipment, preservative treatment, and cleanup. We also added an article conclusion and a contact section.
What are the reasons to add a gate to a fence?
Here are just a few of the reasons that embedding a garden gate into a fencing run is a great idea:
- Access - an integral gate provides convenient and secure access to and from the garden
- Aesthetics - naturally, aesthetic appeal is important, for many homeowners adding a decorative integral gate improves the overall look of the fencing run and overall garden
- Customisation - with a range of gate styles available, you can express your own personal style, to complement your existing decor and garden buildings
- Noise reduction - depending on the gate design, garden gate installation within a fencing run adds an additional barrier against street noise
- Privacy - a gate adds an extra layer of privacy. This is particularly the case if you have a fencing run with gaps, e.g. picket fencing, slatted fencing or lattice fencing
- Zoning - a gate helps to create a distinct area within your garden. This is not always to the exterior of a property; it could be to separate a vegetable patch or children's play space from other garden areas
A step-by-step guide - how to add a garden gate into a fence
Read through our step-by-step guide to learn everything you need to know for successful garden gate installation. We provide twelve steps below, if you choose to follow these steps, you will successfully navigate how to install a gate in an existing fence.
1. Pick your spot
Think through exactly how the gate is going to be used. Pay close attention to things on either side of the gate – this is where people will walk. If there was no fence, where would they want to walk to, and what would they want to get to once they were through?
2. Choose your gate and hardware
One of the most important steps of course is to select a gate and matching hardware, which complements your preferred style. Browse our selection of garden gates by clicking this link.
When buying supporting hardware (such as hinges, latches (closing latch for smaller gates and ring latch for larger gates), and locks), ensure they match the design and weight of your new gate. View our fencing supplies, by clicking this link.
Sizing is important, so ask yourself a question such as – “What needs to get through the gate - children, adults or a ride-on lawnmower?” Make sure you’ve got a bit of wriggle room – you won’t want to scrape your car’s paintwork if it’s a tight fit.
3. Gather tools, materials, and equipment
The next step is to gather tools, materials, and equipment together, we recommend as many of the following as possible are available, with some being essential and others being optional:
- Tools - adjustable wrench, carpenter's square, drill and drill bits, hammer, measuring tape, post hole digger, safety glasses/goggles, saw, screwdriver, spirit level, and string line
- Materials – concrete mix, gravel, timber for framing (on wooden gates)
- Supplies – anchors, bolts, hinges, latch, locks, paint/stain (optional), posts, post caps, screws, sealant, timber treatment
4. Sketch out a plan of the garden gate installation
An accurate scale plan will help you visualise the outcome and ensure you have a clear understanding of the project. There is nothing like a sketch to visualise the final layout and identify and importantly address potential issues before installation.
A plan will aid with accuracy of measurements and placement of both the gate and posts. This will help with functionality and alignment. The plan might also help you identify tools, equipment, and supplies needed.
Now you’re ready to start cutting, digging, sawing, drilling and fixing.
5. Buy a gate or make your own
If you are buying a gate, it is quite simple, just buy one and make sure it is available at this stage.
How to make your own gate from existing fence panels
Use the fence’s natural features to make your cut. If it’s a wooden side-by-side, overlapping or board-on-board fence, you might want to make the gate out of the panel you’ve cut. This is quite simple and can hide the garden gate to some extent. It also means you don’t have to go to the trouble and cost of buying a new gate that is the size you want.
When cutting, make sure that the horizontal brace boards are even and equally spaced so that the gate fits properly.
Gate frame construction
Integrating a robust gate frame is critical for ensuring the longevity and functionality of your garden gate. A well-constructed frame not only supports the gate but also enhances its resistance to sagging and warping. Choose materials that match the strength and durability needed for your specific gate size and design.
6. Lay out your gate posts
Don’t put them in the ground yet. First, make a slanted cut so that rain runs off the post tops. Then lay your gate and posts flat on the ground. This will allow you to fix the gate to the posts accurately.
It’s important to fix the gate to separate fence posts as this will reduce the amount of sag. If you attach it straight to the fence, the sag will probably increase significantly over time.
7. Add your fixings
First, drill out pilot holes and then screw on the hinges then add the gate latch mechanism and the corresponding catch on the opposing post. Make sure there’s a 5mm gap as the wood will expand and contract with the seasons and weather. Consider the ease of access and security when deciding the height and type of gate latch.
8. Brace your gate
This is probably the bit you weren’t expecting. You’ll need to make your gate into a single structure while you erect it and attach it to the fence. If you put up the gateposts separately there’s a risk that the gate won’t fit the gate latch properly.
To make a brace, you create a Z-shaped gate frame with some 4” by 4” and screw it onto the gateposts and gate – this allows you to manoeuvre the gate without damaging it.
9. Get digging
Dig out your post holes – allow three feet of foundation for bigger gates. Then put your gate in the holes and prop it up, ensuring that it fits the existing fence as snuggly as possible.
Now add some postcrete or other ready-mixed concrete and add water. You might want to do this in stages if the post holes are deep.
For further details on this topic, visit our blog post - How to dig a fence post hole - tools & expert tips.
10. Align your gate
Use the time while the concrete sets to align the gateposts as precisely as you can, as you will be able to move the wood around. Attach them to the rest of the fence and also adjust the hinges so that the gate has a smooth action and works as well as it can.
Leave the props up for 48 hours to let the concrete set - then you can step back and admire your handiwork.
11. Preservative treatment
Don’t forget to make sure that your wooden gateposts and fence are treated with wood preservative. Keep them in good condition by maintaining the wood each year. However, if you buy pressure treated versions, this will not be needed.
This treatment could be in the form of finish or paint, which changes the colour and appearance of the gate, whilst also protecting the wood. View our range of timber treatments here.
12. Cleanup
After installing your gate, the final step involves cleanup and thoughtful landscaping. Tasks include removing all installation debris, such as excess soil, concrete mix, or packaging materials.
Garden Gate Installation: Final Thoughts
We started this post by analysing reasons why you might want to install a gate. These included - providing secure access, for their aesthetic appeal, adding customisation, enabling noise reduction, as an extra layer of privacy and to add zoning both internally and to the exterior of the property.
In this guide, you learn how to complete garden gate installation, with our twelve essential steps to follow, enabling you to learn how to install a gate in an existing fence. Rather than repeat them all here, we advise you carefully walkthrough each step to maximise your chances of a successful project outcome.
Contact Buy Fencing Direct
We are a leading UK fencing and gate supplier and have substantial experience in garden gate installation. Why not browse and shop at Buy Fencing Direct for our range of garden gates and fence panels now? If you need further advice about how to add a garden gate into a fence, our expert team are here to help. Contact us in any of these ways:
- Phone calls - 0333 003 0515
- E-mails – send these by using our contact form
- Text chat - message us how to add a gate to a fence in real-time through our text chat app feature