EASY STEPS TO INSTALLING A LOVE GATE

Make a heartfelt alteration to an off-the-shelf gate for an entrance you’ll fall in love with.

Gather your supplies

• 1500 x 900mm Cypress Arch Open gate

• Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen in Fairy Wings

• 300mm black lift off strap hinge (2)

• Latch

You’ll also need Pencil; combination square; long ruler; jigsaw; spray can lid; orbital sander; 80-grit sandpaper; paper; scissors; nap roller; tray; paintbrush; scrap timber; drill; level; 35mm galvanised screws

Here’s how

STEP 1 Lay gate on flat surface. With pencil, combination square and long ruler, mark a straight cut line 10mm below the bottom rail on back of gate. Cut along line with jigsaw.

STEP 2 To modify the gate top, measure and mark a line 1050mm from bottom of gate. Line up a spray can lid along line and centred across a paling. Draw curve around lid, then repeat for curves on all gate palings.

STEP 3 With jigsaw, cut out curve shapes on all palings. Smooth and round all sawn edges with orbital sander.

STEP 4 Fold sheet of paper into 2, draw a half heart along crease (for a heart around 10cm diameter). Cut out shape with scissors and unfold. Place heart 300mm

from top of gate, and centred across the 2 middle palings. Trace shape onto palings.

STEP 5 Cut out heart shape with jigsaw, then sand rough edges by hand.

STEP 6 Apply 2 coats of paint with nap roller, tray and paintbrush, allow to dry after each coat.

STEP 7 Attach strap hinges to one end of both gate rails with drill and 35mm galvanised screws. Stand gate between gate posts and raise gate by 50mm with scrap timber packers. Adjust until gate is level and equally spaced between posts. Line up gate hinge with bracket and mark assembly holes on gate post, drill and secure with screws. Repeat for second hinge.

STEP 8 Predrill and screw a latch bar onto the back of the gate frame and in line with the fence top rail.

Close gate, then hold latch against gate post and in line with the bar. Mark up screw holes for latch, then predrill and screw latch to gate post.

FOR SHOPPING DETAILS AND PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE OUR STOCKISTS PAGE

point of difference!

Carve a pointed top on your fence post for bonus country chic! Draw a line across all post faces 30mm from the top. Then make 4 cuts from the centre of the post top to the marked lines with a hand saw. Sand smooth and touch up with paint to complete.

Or, for a fuss-free job, retro-fit your posts with ready-made post caps, hammersmith.com.au.

STEP 5

STEP 2 A

STEP 7

STEP 2B

STEP 3

STEP 1