Maintaining your property\’s privacy is the main reason on building your own driveway gate. At the same time, you could create a safe area for your kids and pets to play. Although a gated driveway can be possibly built within minimal budget price, you still have to work out more labor from yourself. You can finish this project within two to three days prior to let the cement posts to stabilize in the ground. Here are the things that you need and steps on how to build your own gate for the driveway at home.
Materials and tools that you need:
2 large posts (at least 6 feet high and 4 feet thick), 4 vertical framing stiles of treated lumber or PVC ( 1 ½ by 3 ½ inch), tape measure, 1 large bag of cement mix, electric drill or screwdriver, lattice for top panels (cut according to your desired length), tongue and groove treated lumber or PVC for panels (3/4 by 5 ½ inch), 2 treated lumber or PVC for middle rails (1/2 by 3 ½ inch), shovel, hammer, a box of large screws (2 inches long), lock, 4 to 6 large swinging brackets ( swivel at least 180 degrees and hold to capacity of 200 lb)
Steps:
First, you have to measure the width of your driveway where the gate will be placed. The measurement is 4 ¼ inches outward from where the doors will be placed. Mark the area for your posts.
Then, using a shovel, dig a large hole where each post will be placed. The deep of the hole should be measure at least 2 ½ feet deep and wide enough to hold your post. When placing each post in the hole, make sure that each post is level and also even with one another.
To make the cement, mix it with water according to the instructions of the label. Pour the cement around each of the posts. Make sure that the posts do not move during the drying process and remain still and even. To make the posts remain firmly in the ground, place some dirt surrounding them to prevent movements. For best result, you can use quick dry cement to help the process of the cement to dry faster.
Next, for each door, lay out the framing stiles. Screw to connect the top and two sides together on each door. Cut the lattice to the same size that you desire and put it into place on top part of each of the two doors. To keep each of the lattice connected securely, use the screws.
After that, attach each middle piece on the two doors by screwing them into the two sides securely. Cut each of your panels to size and screw them into place on the bottom part of the door, below the lattice and middle piece. Use hinges to connect each of the doors to the post. Make sure that they will swing and open to 180 degrees.
Finally, attach the lock to your doors and check if they are stay in place securely. You can also use a lock that secures the doors into the ground. For that type, it is a metal bar which is secured to the door and connected to a hole in the ground.
Additional reading:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5501824_build-gate-driveway.html
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amylovesyah/4006972390/
