How To Build A Driveway Gate (Step-by-Step Guide)

Michael Oconnor
by Michael Oconnor

Depending on your home, you may want to put a gate at the end of your driveway. This is a common upgrade for people who want a little extra privacy. It is a relatively easy project that most people can do by themselves in an afternoon.

To build a driveway gate, you will first secure posts on either side of the driveway. Then, you will build two frames for the structure of the swinging doors. Then, attach risers for them to sit or roll on and hang them on the posts.

A gate for your driveway can add an extra layer of security to your home. It can deter solicitors, prowlers, and other kinds of inconvenient visitors. With a little bit of work, you can build a driveway gate that will protect your home for years to come.

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Types of Driveway Gates

Single-swing

Single swing driveway gates rely on one big gate to swing inward. They can be the easiest to open and close with one person if that is something you have to do. However, they do not last as long and are more prone to sagging with age.

Double-Swing

Double-swing gates consist of two gate doors that part in the middle and swing inward. This is the most common type of driveway gate due to its reliability and longevity. This is the type of gate we will be building in this article.

Sliding

Sliding gates run along the fence perpendicular to the driveway. These are the most expensive types of driveway gates. They also require the most amount of room since they need at least twice the width of the driveway.

Building a Wooden Driveway Gate

There are many materials that you can choose to use to build your driveway gate. Metal gates can be bought prefabricated and only need to be installed. However, welding a metal gate is not always possible for your average DIYer.

Wooden gates are fantastic additions to any home. Wood is a durable material that can blend with most home types. It is also easy to build with and accessible to most people no matter what area you are living in.

This gate can be built with standard two-by-fours. These can usually be bought at any big box hardware store. They are inexpensive, easy to find, and are a perfect material for building a driveway gate.

Step 1: Secure Posts

How you secure the posts for your gate will depend on whether or not you already have a fence. If you already have a fence on each side of your driveway, you are in luck. If not, you’re going to have to do a little more work.

If you already have a fence on either side of your driveway, you can attach the gate hinges directly to the fence posts. These hinges usually look like hooked pipes and rods that sit inside each other. These will hold the gate door up and allow it to swing in.

If you do not already have a fence, you will have to dig post holes and cement the posts in. Make sure to dig down at least a foot and a half to two feet to make sure posts are secure. Fill the hole with cement and let it dry before hanging the gate doors.

Step 2: Build the Door Frames

The door frames for your driveway gate can be of any design you like. If you are concerned about aesthetics, you may want someone else to build these frames and doors for you. If not though, they are easy to make yourself.

Start by building a two-by-four square and adding diagonal supports in the middle. These will help prevent sagging and fill in the middle of the square. How many support beams you put in is up to you, but there should be at least two in each.

Build the frames to a size that will keep them at least an inch apart in the middle. This will give the gate doors enough space to swell in the rain. Swelling without allowing room for it is a leading cause of damage to wooden structures.

Step 3: Attach Risers

Your gate will need risers that hold it up in the middle where the two doors meet. You need these risers because the hinges are not meant to completely support the entire weight of the gate. You need the risers to support the weight further out from the fulcrum point.

The risers can be simple or more complex depending on your needs. You can simply attach some vertical two-by-fours on the ends of your frames if you like. It should be noted that these types of risers require you to lift the gate a bit as you are opening it.

If your driveway is paved, you can get risers with wheels. These will make it much easier to open and close the gate, especially if it needs to be done by one person. The wheels will not be as effective if your driveway is dirt or gravel.

Step 4: Hang the Frames

When your frames are built and your risers are installed to the proper height, you can hang the doors on the posts. Make sure that you are leaving at least 6 inches of room underneath your gates or more if your driveway is slanted. This will give you plenty of clearance in the future.

When hanging your gate doors, it is best to have a helper assist you with holding them. Gate doors can be heavy and cumbersome to lift. It is easy for them to get out of your control and you could hurt yourself.

If you cannot find a helper, you can also set your gate up on blocks at its desired height. After you have finished attaching the doors to the hinges, you can remove the blocks.

Step 5: Fashion a Latch

To ensure that your gate stays closed, you will want to attach some kind of latch. This may not be 100% secure, but it will prevent the gate from accidentally opening. The whole purpose of a driveway gate is to be able to keep it closed when you want to.

Two of the most common types of gate latches are ring latches and boat latches. Ring latches have a hook and ring mechanism that can be locked with a padlock. They are very secure and are the standard for most gate latches.

Bolt latches are also a good option for keeping your driveway gate closed. However, depending on how far away your gate doors are in the middle, a bolt latch may not work. In this case, a simple chain and padlock will do just fine.

Do You Need Gate Installation or Replacement?

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Related Questions

Should a wood gate open in or out?

A gate should always open into private property. It should never open out into the street. Opening into the street could cause the gate to become a traffic hazard. This requirement is in the zoning codes of most cities.


Can you turn a fence panel into a gate?

Depending on its condition, a fence panel can be a perfectly good gate. If you are able to secure hinges and a latch onto it, it will work just fine. The nice thing about a fence panel for a gate is that it will match your fence.


How long do wooden gates last?

Depending on what kind of climate you live in, your driveway gate could last anywhere from 10 to 35 years. Buying weather-treated two-by-fours for building your frames will help with their longevity. However, these are always going to be more expensive.

Michael Oconnor
Michael Oconnor

I am a writer and editor from The Bay Area, CA. When I'm not typing, I enjoy hiking, woodworking and gardening. I love sharing tips and discovering new trends in home improvement.

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