Swinging Wooden Gates – How To Properly Construct Them

11/04/2013 Back To Blog

The material used for building today's gates and fences come in a wide array of choices. You can use wood, wrought iron, aluminum, stainless steel and even plastic. But despite the availability for more modern materials, more people still root for the classic and traditional look and feel provided by wooden residential gate openers.

Here are a number of helpful ideas on how to build a simple swinging wooden gate:

1. How Tall and Wide Do You Want The Wooden Gate to Be?

When conducting new gate installation, first decide how wide and tall your new residential sliding wooden gate would be. In general, wooden gates should have the same dimensions as the existing fence, and must have the same style or look too.

2. Setting up The Post Holes

• The next gate opener installation step would be to set up the post holes. For homes with existing fences, the homeowner could dig a 2 x 2 feet hole, and make sure that the holes just below the frost line, so that it will be truly stable. 

• Next, mix soil and cement, and adjust the posts, as well as ensure that these are fully level. 

• Next, correctly asses the  dimensions between the two posts, and remember that the finished swinging wooden gate should be at least two inches from the ground, to take into consideration uneven soil or grass.  Take note that if the posts are six feet tall, they will need to be a bit shorter than the posts. 

3. Construct the Frame, and Attach the Hinges

• The next step would be to build the gate's frame. Next, add the supporting boards to the sides, and make sure you attach two wood cross pieces, to stabilize the frame. 

• Attach the wood support boards, but make sure they are spaced around half an inch apart so that the structure will be more resistant to the external weather elements.  

• Finally, attach the swing gate hinges. Remember that swinging wooden gates should have hinges on the bottom, and top (as well as the middle part), so that it will be fully stabilized and not sag. 

According to professionals in the business, for better swing gate adjustment, make sure you connect the locking mechanism and hardware on the door or gate's swinging side (so that the door will smoothly close.  Also, make sure every part or component is fully screwed in their proper place.