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How to install a gate onto brickwork?

Hi. I want to install this gate outside to replace an existing iron gate outside. I will cut it down to the height of the brickwork:
1833 x 900mm Pre-Oiled Merbau Horizontal Slat Gate - Bunnings Australia

The current space is 1030mm, with brick columns 1650mm high and 350mm wide.

So I am thinking of attaching 2 x 42mm merbau "posts" to one side (effectively making a 84mm post) and a 1 x 42mm merbau post on the other side, as a 90mm post and a 42mm will be too wide. About 1650mm long so it looks nice and doesn't leave big gaps.

My questions are:

1. Does this sound reasonable?

2. What fasteners would be best to use to attach the timber to the brickwork?

3. Should the posts be 42mm x 42mm or 42mm x 90mm to be able to fit on the hinges and lock?

4. What hinges should I use?

5. Any recommendations as to what type of lock I should use? It would need to be opened from either side, and I'd prefer not to cut a hold to put my hand through. Lockable preferred but not mandatory.

6. Would you put the double-post on the lock side or the hinge side?

Thank you for your time and help.

Side view of brickworkFront view of brickwork

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Comments

EricL

Hello @AntonT

Thanks for sharing your question about installing a gate. To balance the gap between the fence, I suggest installing 90 x 35mm Outdoor Framing MGP10 H3 Treated Pine - 2.4m in an "L" pattern with the hinges installed in between. The side not anchored to the brick post is where you'll screw the gate onto.

I recommend installing a similar configuration on the other side but using 70 x 35mm Outdoor Framing MGP10 H3 Treated Pine 3.0m. It's not necessary to use the large 90mm x 35mm as it will not carrying any weight.

I suggest using either Dynabolts or AnkaScrews to hold the timber onto the brick post. I recommend using the Ikonic Satin Chrome Digital Entry Lock as a way to secure your door.

I've placed a sample sketch below to give you an idea of how it might look like. The final image at the bottom shows what it could look like once the timber pieces have been painted in Merbau.

Let me call on our experienced members @Adam_W , @TedBear and @JoeAzza for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

AntonT gate1.jpg AntonT gate2.jpg AntonT gate3.jpg AntonT gate4.jpg AntonT gate5.jpg AntonT gate6.jpg AntonT gate7.jpg

AntonT

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/27657#Comment_27657

Thank you Eric. I never considered framing it out like that. Really helpful. Thank you.

I might look at how I might adapt it to use Merbau instead of pine, which I think would look great just oiled rather than painted. But the concept and drawings are really helpful.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/76423#Comment_76423

You can also colour the Pine in Merbau stain @AntonT. Please keep us updated on your project and reach out if you need further assistance.

Mitchell

AntonT

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/102116#Comment_102116

Thank you Mitchell. I will.

AntonT

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/27657#Comment_27657

Hi Eric,

I've just thought of an issue with this design in this circumstance.

I think that this method looks better from one side as you see less of the posts. As I am hoping for street appeal (as the hedge and plants partly obscure the inside, the best look for this would be for it to swing outwards.

The issue is that I can't really have it swinging outwards onto the footpath, as I don't think that's safe (and I'm guessing the council might not be happy with that).

Your comments would be appreciated.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/76431#Comment_76431

Hi @AntonT,

By moving the position of the hinge, you could change the opening direction without exposing substantially more of the posts. However, you're inevitably going to see some amount of post when using a gate smaller than the opening.

What about just bolting a 90mm Merbau post to one side? That will leave an opening of 940mm, and the gate is 900mm. The remaining 40mm will be for the hinge and locking mechanism. Alternatively, if you'd like the installation more symmetrical, you could cut the post down the middle into two 90 x 45mm sections and have one on either side.

Remember that the gate and posts width don't need to be exactly equal to the gap. Around 10-20mm can be used for the hinges, and a gap up to around 20mm is fine for the side where you'll have the locking mechanism. If the gate and posts were the same widths as the gap, you might have trouble opening it depending on how you constructed the gate.

Mitchell

AntonT

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/102124#Comment_102124

Thank you Mitchell. That's great advice.

I'll buy the gate and hinges and do a rough fit (not bolted) with some rubbish posts I have here to see the gaps before I buy the new post(s).

This is an awesome forum and I really appreciate getting advice from people with experience.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/118067#Comment_118067

Keep us updated, @AntonT; we're here to help. Also, we'd love to see some images of the finished project when you're done.

Mitchell

AntonT

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/127382#Comment_127382

Rough fit is looking great. I decided on the matching pre-oiled Merbau "posts" which look terrific. I will cut down the height, and decide on hinges (maybe self closing?) and the latch/lock. I'll post the final result when I'm done, likely next week.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/133515#Comment_133515

Hi @AntonT

Thank you very much for the update, it's looking very good. Please remember to consider installing the Ikonic Satin Chrome Digital Entry Lock as a possible security measure for your door.

Eric

AntonT

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/137299#Comment_137299

Hi all,

It's taken some time, but the gate was installed today. I did have some help from a carpenter, but could have managed it myself.

We used 3 merbau 42 x 19 posts to match the gate, and decided just to install a wrought iron style latch, as a lock was not necessary. I oiled the cut ends as we had to cut off 3 slats to fit the height (2 off the bottom and 1 off the top), and cut the posts to the brick height. We used part of a slat to correct the thickness of the gate for the latch.

Happy for any comments, but I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. IMG_20230630_141921[1].jpg IMG_20230630_142757[1].jpg IMG_20230630_142747[1].jpg IMG_20230630_141936[1].jpg

TedBear

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139935#Comment_139935

Looks great! I'd be happy with that too.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139935#Comment_139935

Hello @AntonT

Thank you very much for the update, the gate looks fantastic! It looks very well installed and blends in nicely with your brick fence. If you've not yet oiled or stained the panels, I suggest waiting an average of 8 to 12 weeks to season the timber. I estimate that by the end of September your door should be ready for oiling.

I recommend oiling the gate once a year as part of its regular upkeep. This is also a good chance for you to inspect the screws and fittings making sure that none of them have developed severe rust. If regularly maintained, you should get a long service life from the gate and hinges.

Again, thank you for sharing such a wonderful project.

Eric

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