A few years ago we turned the side of our garage into a little dog run of sorts. It is where our French bulldog Kevin takes care of his business. We have really enjoyed the pet turf. Before it could get really muddy and the weeds were a nightmare. I would love to say that we are 100 percent amazing at cleaning up after him immediately and that the run always looks pristine and clean. But that is not always the case. So I decided last year that as soon as it warmed up, I wanted to build a gate to hide the area. I went with a rounded gate to match the other gates on our property. Here how to build an arched gate!
This post is sponsored by Wagner and contains an affiliate link to their sprayer. All ideas and project ideas are 100% my own.
How To Build An Arched Gate
We built a frame to fit in between the new posts. We built it out of 2x4s. It was 4 feet high because we wanted the sides to be the same height as where the start of the rounded part of the gate.
Then I added the 6 foot fence pickets to the frame with exterior screws.
Once the pickets were added, I used a pencil and some string to draw on the arch. I could have gone all the way to the top and made this gate 6 feet tall, but I wanted this gate to be smaller since it was so narrow compared to all our other gates.
I nailed on a board to the top of the pickets. I have found after building 3 sets of rounded gates, that it is easier to have them all connected as I cut along the rounded line. But this step isn't absolutely necessary.
I used a jigsaw to cut along the line I drew.
Best Way To Stain A Gate
Now it was time for the fun part! Staining the gate!
I used my Wagner Flexio 3500 to apply the stain. I used the same dark brown stain that I have used on the other gates, our fence, our large arbor, and our sliding planter wall. Fence pickets are so rough so it is tough to use a roller or brush. A sprayer is so much faster too! It is so satisfying.
I always recommend to use cardboard or scrap wood to test your spray pattern and output before spraying your actual project. There are 9 speed power settings, variable paint flow, adjustable spray width, different pattern size and direction (horizontal/vertical and wide/narrow). You have so much control over the spray!
It also come with an additional spray tip and canister for fine finishes like when I painted my kitchen cabinets.
Once I had both sides stained as well as the posts, I let them fully dry over night before installing the gate. We ended up using the same fence post bases as the garden X fence. They pound into the ground and then you simply add the post and screw it in.
I added a cute crystal door knob (like the other gates). I am thinking of adding solar lights to the posts. What do you think? Yes, or no?
It is even Kevin approved :)
Have you ever built a gate? What projects are on your spring and summer to-do list?
Other Arched Gates on our property:
Just Brilliant!