Hang a garden gate on an exterior brick wall

Hang a garden gate on a brick wall safely and securely, from planning and fixing to hanging, latching and weatherproofing.

GG-01Plan the job and check the rulesMeasure the gap between your piers or posts and decide how high the gate needs to be. Under permitted development rules, a gate over 1000mm high next to a road used by vehicles, or over 2000mm high anywhere else, normally needs planning permission. If the wall is shared with a neighbour, check who owns it before you drill into it.

RULES

1 each · Tape measure

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KNOW THE RULES

Gates over 1m high next to a road, or over 2m high elsewhere, may need planning permission under permitted development rules. Check with your local council if you're unsure.

GG-02Gather your tools and materialsGet everything together before you start so you're not stopping halfway through. You'll need the gate, a matching hinge and latch set rated for its weight, a masonry drill bit, heavy-duty fixings for brick, a spirit level, and mortar and sealant for finishing off.

1 each · Garden gate

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1 pair · Heavy-duty gate hinge set

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1 set · Gate latch and catch set

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6 each · M10 masonry sleeve anchors

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1 each · 10mm masonry drill bit

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GG-03Mark the hinge positionsWith a helper (or temporary props), hold the gate in the closed position where it will hang. Use a spirit level to check it sits plumb and level, then mark the top and bottom hinge fixing points on the brick with a pencil. Double-check the gate clears the ground and any threshold before you commit to the marks.

1 each · Spirit level

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1 each · Pencil

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GG-04Check for pipes and cables before you drillCables and pipes can run almost anywhere, even in an outside wall — to an outdoor socket, security light or alarm box. Run a detector over your marked points, but still treat the wall as live until you prove otherwise; detectors miss deep or shielded cables. Find your stopcock, usually under the kitchen sink, and check it turns before you start, so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. If in doubt, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit and turn off the water at the stopcock before drilling.

1 each · Cable and pipe detector

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GG-05Drill and fit fixings into the brickDrill each marked point with a 10mm masonry bit to a depth of 65mm, checking the fixing pack for the exact size needed. Blow or brush the dust out of the hole, then insert a heavy-duty sleeve anchor rated for at least the combined weight of the gate and hinges. Never use a plain plastic wall plug for a gate — the constant leverage from swinging will pull a light-duty plug straight out. Tighten each fixing fully before moving to the next.

6 each · M10 masonry sleeve anchors

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1 each · Hammer drill

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GG-06Fit the hinges to the gate and wall platesLay the gate flat and fix the hinge pins or plates to the gate frame first, following the manufacturer's spacing. Then bolt the matching wall plates onto the fixings you've just set into the brick, checking they line up squarely with the gate hinges.

1 pair · Heavy-duty gate hinge set

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1 each · Spanner or socket set

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GG-07Hang the gate and check clearanceWith a helper, lift the gate onto the hinge pins. Check it clears the ground by 10-15mm and swings through its full arc without catching. If it binds or drags, loosen the wall plates slightly and adjust before fully retightening.

GG-08Fit the latch and catchClose the gate and mark the latch position on the gate and the matching catch position on the post or wall. Drill and fix both plates, then open and close the gate several times to check it latches smoothly.

1 set · Gate latch and catch set

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GG-09Fit a gate stop (optional)If you want the gate to hold open or closed in wind, fit a ground stop or drop bolt now. Position it so it doesn't obstruct the gate's swing or catch on uneven paving.

1 each · Gate drop bolt

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GG-10Weatherproof the fixings and tidy upFill any surplus drill holes in the brick with a small amount of mortar and let it cure. Run a bead of silicone sealant around any exposed fixing heads to stop water getting in and rusting them. Sweep up brick dust and offcuts, then oil the hinges to keep them moving freely.

1 each · Bag of general-purpose mortar mix

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1 tube · Silicone sealant

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1 bottle · Light machine oil

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