Hang a garden gate on a rendered exterior wall

Fit a heavy-duty gate to a solid rendered wall, checking swing clearance, hinge fixings and any height rules first.

GG-01Check the wall, gate and rules before you buy fixingsA rendered exterior wall is solid brick or block underneath a thin coat of render. Tap the wall near the hinge points - if it sounds hollow or the render is crumbling, get that repaired before you hang anything heavy on it. Check the gate's weight and buy hinges, a latch and fixings rated for it, not just whatever is cheapest.

RULES

1 each · Garden gate

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1 pair · Heavy-duty gate hinges

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1 each · Gate latch/catch

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KNOW THE RULES

Gates over 1m high next to a road used by vehicles, or over 2m high anywhere else, usually need planning permission. Check with your local council before fitting a tall gate.

GG-02Mark the hinge line and check clearancesStand the gate in the opening on packers to get about 15-20mm ground clearance, then check it's plumb with a spirit level. Mark the top and bottom hinge positions on the wall in pencil. Swing the gate through its full arc first to check it clears the path, wall and any plants.

2 each · Wooden packers/wedges

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1 each · Pencil

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GG-03Check for pipes and cables before you drillExterior walls can hide cables to outside lights or sockets, and pipes for an outside tap. Run a detector over the marked hinge points, but still treat the wall as if something could be there - detectors miss deep cables, cables in conduit, and can read poorly through render. Find your stopcock, usually under the kitchen sink, and check it turns freely before you start. If you're at all unsure, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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GG-04Drill and fix the top hinge plate to the wallRender is usually 10-15mm thick, so drill deep enough to get at least 40mm into the solid brick or block behind it - around 60mm total hole depth for an M10 anchor. Drill slowly at first to punch through the render cleanly, then switch to normal hammer action once you're into the masonry. Fit a heavy-duty masonry anchor rated for the gate's weight, never a plain plastic wall plug. Hold the hinge plate level and tighten the bolts fully.

1 each · Masonry drill bit 10mm x 150mm

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4 each · Heavy-duty sleeve anchor M10

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GG-05Drill and fix the bottom hinge plate the same wayRepeat the drilling and fixing method for the bottom hinge plate. Use the spirit level to check it lines up exactly with the top plate, and keep the same hole depth and anchor type since both hinges carry equal weight. Wipe away render dust before fitting the plate.

4 each · Heavy-duty sleeve anchor M10

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GG-06Hang the gate and check the swingLift the gate onto the fixed hinge pins, or bolt the hinge halves together depending on your hinge type - get someone to help hold the weight. Remove the packers and check the gate swings freely, closes square, and doesn't scrape the ground or drag on the latch post. Add a smear of grease to hinge pins if they're stiff.

1 tube · General purpose grease

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GG-07Fit the latch and closerMark and fix the latch to the gate, and the catch plate to the matching post or wall, at a comfortable height. If the catch plate fixes into render and masonry, use the same drilling and anchor method as the hinges. Adjust the latch so it engages smoothly without needing to be forced.

1 packet · Fixing screws for latch

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GG-08Weatherproof and tidy upRun a thin bead of exterior silicone sealant around each fixing point in the render to stop water getting in and cracking the render in frost. Sweep up render dust and debris, and give every bolt a final check for tightness. Open and close the gate a few more times to make sure everything runs smoothly.

1 tube · Exterior silicone sealant

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