How & Why I Built My Own Driveway Gates | AND SAVED $$$

Hey friends, let's build some driveway gates! This has been on my to do list for several years and I'm excited to finally get to cross it off. I hope you enjoy watching them come together (pun intended).

Check out additional project details and information here: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-wooden-driveway-gates/

One thing I forgot to mention in the video is gate placement. If you're considering tackling this project, it's worth taking some time to determine the best place to set your gate posts.

You want to make sure that vehicles have enough room to pull into the driveway and be out of the road while waiting for the gates to open.

You also want to make sure that if you ever bring a trailer up the drive, that there's enough room to pull in off the road and straighten up to fit between the gates.

We ended up placing our gates about 80' from the road. This allowed plenty of room to pull in a truck and trailer from either direction and get straight before pulling through the gates.

Also, to determine my gate width, I simply measured across the drive where we decided to place the gates (it was about 14 ft). Then I added an extra foot for some wiggle room and divided by 2. This means I made each gate 7 1/2 ft (or 90") wide. The hinges and gap between the gates will add an additional ~6-8" to the overall width, so the posts will end up being set about 16' apart.

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Helpful resources for this projects:
How and why to use the Kreg XL pocket hole jig: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-use-the-kreg-xl-pocket-hole-jig/
How to sand wood: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-sand-wood/
How to choose the right screw for your project: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/choosing-diy-cabinet-furniture-screws/

Tools & Materials:
*aff links below

Tools:
Miter Saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/b3DkDx
Circular Saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/v9XMN
Drill/Driver: https://homedepot.sjv.io/raXZAB
XL Pocket Hole Jig: https://amzn.to/3U2HyIu
Post Hole Digger or Auger: https://amzn.to/3U42xL0
Level
Router and chamfer bit (optional): https://homedepot.sjv.io/vqZAA & https://homedepot.sjv.io/dxM6k

Materials:

For Gates:
(6) 2x4x8 cedar boards
(2) 2x8x8 cedar boards
(12) 2x2x8 cedar boards (or rip six 2x4s in half)
2 ½″ XL Pocket Hole Screws: https://amzn.to/4lKBoZc
2 ½″ & 3″ long decking/outdoor screws
L Brackets: https://amzn.to/3IjPhzj
Straight Brackets: https://amzn.to/3IjOiz1
(2) Pair Heavy Duty Gate Hinges: https://amzn.to/44GJfA6
(2) 6x6x8 ground contact treated posts
Post Setting Material (foam/concrete/whatever you want)

Solar Post Caps: https://amzn.to/44UUCWu

For Fence:
4x4x8 ground contact treated posts
Post Setting Material (foam/concrete/whatever you want)
2x6x8 treated boards
1x4x8 treated boards
2 1/2" and 3" outdoor/decking screws
Post Caps: https://amzn.to/4eNvvbE

Opener:
Ghost control dual gate system: https://amzn.to/44Co0iZ
Keypad: https://amzn.to/40QCLO3

**CHAPTERS**
00:00 Introduction
00:24 Why I Chose to Build vs Buy
01:32 Assembling the Gate Frames
02:41 Adding the Diagonal Braces
04:52 Attaching the Back Slats
06:10 Let's Talk About Weight
06:45 Adding Finish & Brackets
08:28 Setting the Gate Posts
09:42 Hanging the Gates
11:13 Adding a Few Extra Upgrades
13:04 Final Reveal