Turn a Picket Fence Panel Into a Gorgeous Garden Gate
Welcome guests to your garden with this charming DIY gate crafted from an upcycled fence panel.
After installing a picket fence, you're faced with one final decision: what do you use for a gate? You have two options: Buy a prefabricated gate or build one yourself. But before you write off the latter choice, take a look at how easy it is to turn a fence panel into a charming, custom garden gate. Plus, if you built your fence from store-bought panels, there is a good chance you could use leftover material and save some cash.
SHAIN RIEVLEY
Materials Needed
- safety equipment
- pre-fabricated fence panel
- measuring tape
- pencil
- speed square
- circular saw
- miter saw or miter box
- level
- gate hardware
- hammer
- drill or impact driver
Measure Your Gap
The beautiful thing about crafting your own gate is that it is completely customizable. Instead of laying out your entire fence row based off of a standard gate measurement, you can cut your gate to size after the fence is installed. Step one: Measure the space between the two posts where you intend to place the gate.
Cut Your Gate
Shain Rievley
Shain Rievley
Use the measurement from the former step and mark the two stretchers on the fence panel using a pencil and a speed square. Use a measuring tape to double-check your measurements. If you are satisfied with your marks, use a circular saw to cut off the excess material.
Add Gate Accessories
Shain Rievley
Shain Rievley
Shain Rievley
To begin the gate transformation, secure two hinges on one side of the panel and a gate latch and handle at the top of the other side. Use the provided hardware and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Add Support Arms
Shain Rievley
Shain Rievley
Shain Rievley
Shain Rievley
Shain Rievley
To strengthen the gate and add a touch of charm, remove two pickets from the scrap end of the fence panel. Once removed, rid the boards of any nails. Use a miter saw or miter box to cut the end of each board at an angle, then secure the boards to the back of the gate using wood screws. This added support will help the gate endure years of opening and closing.
Mount Gate on Posts
Shain Rievley
Shain Rievley
Shain Rievley
Shain Rievley
Shain Rievley
Now that the gate is complete, it is time to hang it in place. Attach the hinges on one side of the posts using the provided hardware. Once the gate is secure and level, align the post side of the latch hardware with the gate side and mount it in place. Almost done! No garden gate is complete without an adorable welcome sign.
Shain Rievley
Starting From Scratch?
How to Install a Picket Fence
Add classic charm and curb appeal to your yard with a DIY fence that's easier to build than you might think.
