I need to install a gate in the breezeway between my home and attached garage. My question is: what is the proper way to attach the gate to the house (brick) and garage (cedar lap siding but currently down to sheathing)? The gate will be shorter than the cap on the brick half-wall. Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide!
From building boxes and fitting face frames to installing doors and drawers, these techniques could be used for lots of cabinet projects.
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Replies
If possible, hang it off the garage rather than the brick wall. I'd attach a ledger of sorts to the now-bare wall, then flash it more or less like a window. Attach the gate to the ledger (but make the hinge screws go all the way into the wall framing). Use some sort of masonry anchor on the brick to hold in place a board that would serve as the door jamb on that side.
Figure the convenience of using the gate
I would hinge it on the brick because fo the step and the entrance to the garage. Use your own discretion on whatever hardware you find available whether hanging it on the brick with anchors vs. installing a mounting strip of wood.
A real corner board at the garage can be where you mount the latching hardware. You might have to incorporate a stop into that corner board.
Look for hardware you like that serves your purpose. Gate hardware is limited at box and hardware stores to what you usually find on fences. The latching hardware might be available by itself, then use a "T" strap hinge painted to match. If the brick is soft, you may fine attachment to the morter joint strong enough. If not, mount a strip of wood to fasten the hinges to. Paint or stain/seal that wood in contact with the brick on all sides and ends.
You want it to look good and work easily.
You might want to consider building an "entryway" of sorts by building a wall (or fence) out from the brick about 3 feet towards the camera, then putting the gate between the garage and that new wall. This would let you swing the gate either way and eliminate the awkwardness of the steps right there.
(Not that I'd do this myself, but I'd think about it.)
gate
Contact a local fence co. that installs metal fences. They should have the materials needed and offer suggestions based on their experience.
I would set 3x3 or 4x4 aluminum posts to hang the gate and latch. Then your connections to the walls will have less stress (maybe not even becessary) and you would have a finished opening.
You do need to be careful about narrowing the opening too much.