How to Build Garden Gates With Old Windows

Do you have a garden arbor or a walkway that is screaming for a little something to spruce it up? This shabby chic decorative garden gate could be just the thing to give your garden the "oomph" you want. These gates cost a fraction of the cost of conventional garden doors and add a lot of personality. You can keep the panes in the windows, replace them with waterproof fabric, a mirror or even painted wood panels. Or, if you would like, you could leave them empty to "frame" in your beautiful garden. Read on to learn how to build garden gates with old windows.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Two old windows with or without glass
• Four medium door hinges with hardware
• Two posts to attach gates to
• Screw driver
• Level
• Saw

1. Decide where you are going to place your garden gates. Measure the width of the windows to figure how big your opening is going to be. Dig your holes deep enough to install your side poles. Place each pole into a hole and cover, packing the dirt. Saw off excess length of poles if desired. You can also fill in your holes with cement if you prefer.

2. Make sure your poles are level and plumb using your leveling tool.

3. Now you will need to decide how far up on the poles you are going to want your garden gate. Mark each pole at the spot you decided on, making sure the mark on each pole is identical.

4. Figure out where you want your hinges to go on each door. Make sure they are even lengths apart on each window and install the hinges on the windows first using you screw driver.

5. Now hang each door at the spot you want them to hang on your poles. It is extremely important to make sure that your windows are hung level or they will not close correctly.

Tips & Warnings

• Try planting a climbing plant on each of your poles.
• If you would like, you could also add a decorative latch to keep your pretty decorative garden gates closed.