DIY Driveway Gates

Choose the best location for your gate. The gate should be far enough up your driveway that a car can park outside it without blocking traffic, yet with enough room on the property side for the gate to swing inward while a car is parked in the driveway.

Mark the desired location of your gate posts with strings strung between sticks elevated slightly above the ground. Dig a 12-inch diameter hole, 34 inches deep, at the base of one future post, with the long side running parallel to the driveway. Do the same at the other post's position.

Mix concrete as directed on the packaging and pour six inches of concrete into the hole. Set the post into the hole, using the guide strings to position it horizontally and a plumbline to ensure that it is perfectly vertical. Fill in the hole around it with concrete until within five inches of the surface. Do the same with the second post.

Wait a day for the concrete to set and fill in the remainder of the holes with dirt and turf. Bolt hinge plates to the inward side of one post at the appropriate height so your gate hangs at least four inches above the driveway and secure hinge bolts to the actual gate piece.

Drop ball bearings into the barrels of the hinge plates and set the hinge bolts into the barrels, positioning the gate in its final position. Tighten the nuts with a wrench after confirming that all hardware is in the correct position. Grease the hinges.