Have you decided to install a pedestrian gate to create an opening in your fence? Excellent idea! Practical and aesthetic, it will offer you the easy access you need, while preserving the security of your property. But how can you install a pedestrian gate yourself when you have no experience? Our experts reveal their tips for a worry-free installation.
Choosing the Right Pedestrian Gate: The First Step to a Successful Installation
To successfully install your pedestrian gate, start by selecting the right model—that is, the one that meets your needs and constraints. Here are some pointers to help you make the right choice!
What are the different types of pedestrian gates?
What is a pedestrian gate?
It is a small gate allowing pedestrian passage through a fence.
Composed of a single leaf, it is primarily intended for outdoor use: garden gates, pedestrian access adjacent to a main gate, delimiting a vegetable garden or a children’s play area, etc. Generally rather low, its height varies between one and two meters, with a width of about one meter.
Pedestrian Gate Choice: What are the Options?
You can have your pedestrian gate custom-made or opt for a standard model sold as a ready-to-install kit. In both cases, several design choices are available to you.
The Material
It will surely not have escaped your notice, while browsing the aisles, that pedestrian gates are now available in many materials: steel, iron, aluminum, wood, PVC… There is something for every taste!
The Shape
Classic, modern, or original… To each their own pedestrian gate style:
- straight,
- arched,
- slanted,
- gendarme hat or inverted gendarme hat…
To avoid making a mistake and ensure good taste, prefer a pedestrian gate that matches your fencing.
The Infill
Whether you are looking for total opacity or, conversely, a transparent effect, you will easily find the pedestrian gate that meets your expectations.
If you wish to completely protect yourself from prying eyes, we advise you to choose a solid or semi-solid model, which will ensure maximum discretion. Openwork or semi-openwork models, on the other hand, will allow more light to pass through. Otherwise, install a privacy screen!
How to Choose Your Pedestrian Gate Well?
While aesthetics are important, don’t rush headlong into your favorite model. First, make sure that the selected pedestrian gate meets your usage criteria.
Usage
Regardless of the manufacturing material, most pedestrian gates are designed to withstand outdoor elements. If you opt for a wooden model, however, remember to carefully check the maintenance requirements (e.g., the need to apply a protective coating). For a pedestrian gate intended for daily use, pay particular attention to solidity and prefer a robust model.
Size
If you need to separate two spaces, a small model will suffice. However, to protect against intrusions or ensure safety for children, choose a taller pedestrian gate.
Opening Direction
Imagine, once your garden gate is installed and sealed, realizing that the opening is not on the correct side. Enough to cause a nervous breakdown! So, be sure to take precautions regarding the opening direction when making your choice, or opt for a model with reversible opening.
For more advice on choosing your pedestrian gate, we recommend reading our pedestrian gate selection guide.
What Equipment Do You Need to Install a Pedestrian Gate?
Of course, you first need a pedestrian gate kit to assemble, like the Garden Pedestrian Gate. But also remember to check your toolbox before you start working. Nothing is more frustrating than realizing, mid-project, that you don’t have the right equipment! For a pedestrian gate installation, you will need:
- a wheelbarrow,
- a shovel for pouring concrete,
- wooden wedges and battens,
- wire (as well as pliers to cut it),
- a spirit level,
- a Phillips screwdriver and multi-grip pliers,
- a marking spray for marking the pedestrian gate’s location,
- a multi-surface marker,
- a bag of concrete (remember to check the quantity),
- gloves and a tape measure.
How to Install a Pedestrian Gate? The Step-by-Step Stages
Step 1: Unpack the Pedestrian Gate
Start by carefully unpacking your pedestrian gate. Far from being anecdotal, this step is crucial and will save you time for the following ones. Make sure you have all the elements listed in the assembly instructions and read them carefully.
Step 2: Prepare the Pedestrian Gate Installation
Pre-assembly
For this step, position the pedestrian gate horizontally on the ground, making sure to correctly identify the top and bottom.
Then place each post on either side of the pedestrian gate, installing the one with through-holes on the pivoting side. Insert the top pivot into the pedestrian gate frame, and the threading into the post. Don’t forget to place washers between the post and the bolts.
Repeat the operation with the bottom pivot.
Installing the Wedges
To firmly maintain the structure throughout the assembly process:
- Place wooden wedges three centimeters thick between the frame and the post.
- Tighten the bolts with pliers, starting with the outer ones.
- Secure the wedges using pieces of wire approximately thirty centimeters long.
Attaching the Strike Plate
Still horizontally, place the strike plate opposite the closing mechanism. The flat side of the latch bolt should face the inclined lip of the strike plate. Attach the strike plate to the post using the screws provided in your kit.
Then reposition the post correctly next to the pedestrian gate.
Taking Measurements
Now is the time to be precise and take your time! To ensure you don’t make a mistake, we advise you to proceed as follows:
- Measure the distance between the top of the frame and the top of the post.
- Transfer this distance to the opposite post, and repeat the wedge fastening operation using wire.
- Mark the middle of the bottom of each post.
All that remains is to measure the distance between the two marks. This will correspond to the space (or center distance) between the two holes to be dug.
Step 3: Delimit the Pedestrian Gate’s Location
Using a marking spray, mark the position of the holes on the ground, respecting the measurement taken in the previous step.
Dig two holes forty centimeters wide and fifty centimeters deep.
Step 4: Install the Pedestrian Gate
You can now position your pedestrian gate vertically and place it in the holes you have dug (waves facing outwards from the property).
To keep it off the ground, install some wedges. Remember to check that the structure is straight (using a spirit level). Adjust with additional wooden wedges if necessary.
Ensure that the distance between the top of the post and the top of the frame is 5 centimeters.
Once the pedestrian gate is correctly positioned, use wooden battens to hold it firmly in place.
Step 5: Seal the Pedestrian Gate
Finally, the big moment has arrived: securely fixing your pedestrian gate to the ground. Don’t panic, it’s much simpler than it seems!
Start by preparing the concrete according to the instructions on the bag. Then use a shovel to pour the concrete into the holes, just below ground level. Make sure to tamp it down well.
Allow to dry for 48 hours before removing the battens and wooden wedges. Cover the concrete with soil to fill the holes.
Step 6: Finalize the Pedestrian Gate Installation
Finishing Touches
And there you have it, the installation is complete! All that remains is to adjust the final details:
- Recheck the level of your pedestrian gate using the spirit level.
- Ensure all bolts are properly tightened.
- Attach the handle and ensure it functions correctly.
- Place the finishing caps.
How to Change the Opening Direction of the Pedestrian Gate?
Do you ultimately wish to change the opening direction of your pedestrian gate? It’s not very complicated, but be methodical:
- Slightly unscrew the top and bottom of the lock.
- Remove the cylinder and its screws.
- Locate the notch that allows the latch bolt to be released from the lock.
- Rotate the latch bolt and re-engage it.
- Reposition the lock, and slightly re-screw the top and bottom.
- Check that the cylinder functions correctly, then secure it.
- Properly tighten the top and bottom screws.
- Unscrew the strike plate then reverse it.
- Place the pedestrian gate frame on the other side.
- Re-screw the strike plate.
And there you have it, you now know how to install a pedestrian gate! And if you wish to accompany it with a beautiful fence, remember to consult our experts’ fence installation checklist.
Dans le même thème
Expert in fencing, gates, and outdoor landscaping since 2019.
Holds a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing – SEO, UX/UI.
View LinkedIn profile
