During our recent home renovation, we had a pile of quality wood salvaged from demolition—too good to waste. At the same time, we needed a sturdy gate to keep our dog safely enclosed.
Our quick fix with metal mesh did the job temporarily, but we longed for something more elegant. Inspired by the timeless “Brittany” style, we set out to build a white wooden gate ourselves. This project was our first serious foray into carpentry, and we learned a lot. Let us walk you through the process step-by-step.
Why This Plan Works
- Repurposes salvaged wood for a sustainable, cost-effective solution
- Combines function and aesthetics—ideal for pet owners needing secure yet stylish gates
- Perfect introduction to carpentry with hands-on experience in routing, joinery, and finishing
- Customizable to suit various dimensions and design preferences
- Great way to explore workshop organization and tool needs for future DIY projects
What You Will Need
- Old wood with tongue-and-groove joints (from interior wall partition)
- Plywood sheets: 120cm x 40cm x 0.5cm
- Black metal hinges and lock
- Table saw
- Router with 6mm and 14mm straight bits
- Wagner W950 paint sprayer
- Outdoor acrylic white paint
- Outdoor matte white lacquer
- Sandpaper and clamps (or a belt if clamps are short)
- Measuring tools (tape measure, level)
- Wood glue
Step 1: Measure and Prepare the Wood
We began by taking precise measurements of the gate’s intended location and drafted a detailed sketch. Based on this, we prepared the following pieces:
- 4 vertical boards: 10.9cm x 113cm, with 9mm grooves on one long side
- 2 bottom horizontals: 10.9cm x 113.4cm, grooved long side, tongues on short sides
- 2 middle horizontals: 11.8cm x 113.4cm, groove on long side, tongues on remaining three sides
- 2 top horizontals: 10.9cm x 113.4cm, tongues on three sides, one straight edge
- 10 vertical inserts: 10cm x 42cm, grooves on short ends
- 24 cover strips: 10.4cm x 2cm to hide vertical tongues
- Additional tongue pieces to fill grooves on horizontal boards
- 2 plywood sheets: 133.4cm x 40cm x 0.5cm for structure support
Using our router, we cut grooves with the 6mm bit and used the larger bit to clean surfaces and shape tongues. Without a router table, we improvised by constructing a makeshift fence, allowing us to maneuver the router as needed.
Step 2: Dry Fit the Components
With all the pieces ready, we performed a dry fit to visualize the final structure. This step revealed that our vertical inserts were too long for the intended aesthetic. We trimmed them down, resulting in a cleaner, more proportionate look.
Step 3: Assemble and Glue the Gate
Once satisfied with the layout, we started assembling. Since we lacked clamps long enough for the entire gate, we used a belt to apply pressure and ensure the glue set correctly.
For smaller elements, especially those hiding grooves, standard clamps sufficed. After glue-up, we thoroughly sanded all surfaces to create a smooth, even texture, preparing it for painting.
Note: A longer clamp would have provided more even pressure, but the belt method worked as an alternative.
Step 4: Paint and Seal
To protect the wood, we applied an impregnant and allowed it to penetrate for 24 hours. For painting, we set up a makeshift painting area in our garage, shielding walls with heavy plastic sheeting. We diluted the acrylic paint slightly with water and used the Wagner W950 for spraying.
As first-time users of this sprayer, we discovered some uneven spots after the first coat, which we sanded smooth before applying a second coat. Once fully dry, a final layer of matte white lacquer was applied for durability and weather resistance.
Note: Proper ventilation and surface prep are essential when spraying in a garage or enclosed space.
Step 5: Install the Gate
Before installation, we did a final fitting. One oversight we encountered was not accounting for uneven ground levels, which caused the gate to hang slightly off-level.
We pre-drilled holes in the support posts and secured the gate with 5cm wood screws, fitting the black hinges and lock in place.
Note: Measuring ground level discrepancies beforehand can save time during installation.
Other Details Display
- Wood Type: Reclaimed tongue-and-groove boards from interior demolition
- Joinery: Grooves and tongues cut using router; assembled with wood glue
- Finish: Outdoor acrylic paint (white), sealed with matte lacquer
- Hardware: Black metal hinges and latch
- Paint Tools: Wagner W950 sprayer, sandpaper for touch-ups
- Workshop Setup: Makeshift router fence, painting booth with plastic sheeting
- Size: Gate dimensions customized based on measured space; approximately 133.4cm width x 40cm height panels
- Challenges: Uneven ground, lack of long clamps, routing grooves across full length
- Solutions: Belt used as clamp substitute, grooves adjusted, height trimmed for aesthetics
Summary
Building a DIY Brittany-inspired dog gate from salvaged wood was not only cost-effective but also incredibly rewarding. We transformed reclaimed materials into a stylish, functional feature while gaining hands-on carpentry experience.
With careful measurements, thoughtful assembly, and a little improvisation, we now have a beautiful, secure gate—and a new appreciation for woodworking.
Let us know if you try this project, or if you’d like tips on building your own gate!
This plan is a contribution by [MichałR10]. Project Via Instructables – Get the PDF Instructions here.