byronreese
By Margaret Telsch-williams
How to Build Garden Gates
Photo courtesy stock.xchng, Illustration Margaret Telsch-Williams
By Margaret Telsch-williams
OverviewA garden gate is one of the easiest structures to create for your garden and yard. It also pays off by keeping children or pets in your backyard while keeping pests and unwanted visitors out. To build a custom garden gate that is a seamless fit to your existing structure, take time when measuring. While the project can take a day or two, the gate will last you for years.Step 1Measure the opening you need to fill between your fence posts. Cut the sides of your gate frame 10 inches shorter than the height of your fence post using two 2-by-4s. Cut three horizontal gate frame boards 4 inches shorter than the width of your gate frame. Cut the fence palings 2 inches shorter than the height of the fence posts.Step 2Create a rectangular frame by laying the vertical sides on their 2-inch edge. Place a horizontal board at the top and bottom between the sides resting on their 2-inch edges. The ends of the horizontal boards should butt up against the sides of the vertical side boards. Attach two screws at each intersection through the side boards and into the top and bottom boards.Step 3Measure to find the center of your side boards and place the third horizontal board in the middle. The board ends should butt against the sides. Turn this board to be resting on its 4-inch side. Because the frame boards are rising 4 inches up from the ground, and this middle board is only coming up 2 inches, the middle board will only be flush with the frame along the ground. Secure with screws on each end, just as the top and bottom boards were attached.Step 4Measure both diagonal lengths from corner to corner. If the two measurements aren’t the same on each diagonal, adjust the skew of the frame until you have matching measurements. When the diagonal measurements are the same, you know you have even right angles.Step 5Make a diagonal brace board by cutting 45-degree angles into your last 2-by-4. Attach the brace board to run along either diagonal of the frame, touching the frame at each corner, with its 4-inch width facing out. This board should fit into the frame nicely against the middle, horizontal board. Just as the middle board was flush with the frame along the ground, the diagonal brace board will be flush with the face of the frame. Screw through the frame to attach.Step 6Lay the palings vertically over the face of the frame. Attach as many palings as you need to cover the width of the frame with equal spacing between each one. The palings should not extend beyond the width of the frame, but should overlap the height of the frame by 4 inches on the top and bottom. Attach at least one screw into the top horizontal board, the brace board and the bottom board on each paling.Step 7Secure the gate to the fence post by attaching three gate hinges to the gate. Whether you want the hinges to show on the outside or inside of the gate, they should be screwed into each of the three horizontal boards.Step 8Align the gate with the fence post leaving a 2-inch gap at the bottom between the ground and the edge of the palings. Have someone hold the gate steady to the post. Attach the other side of the hinges to the post, starting at the top and working your way down to the bottom hinge. Re-tighten the all of the hinge screws once the hinges are attached. Add a gate lock or latch as desired.skill2ingredientTape measure
Six 2-by-4-inch boards
Table or hand saw
Fence palings (1-by-6- or 1-by-4-inch boards)
Drill
Rust-proof screws
Three gate hinges with screws
Gate latch or lock with screwsingredientsTape measureingredientsSix 2-by-4-inch boardsingredientsTable or hand sawingredientsFence palings (1-by-6- or 1-by-4-inch boards)ingredientsDrillingredientsRust-proof screwsingredientsThree gate hinges with screwsingredientsGate latch or lock with screwstipIf you want to paint or stain your gate, it is easiest to do so before adding the hinges. If possible, take the time to treat the gate before hanging it.tipsIf you want to paint or stain your gate, it is easiest to do so before adding the hinges. If possible, take the time to treat the gate before hanging it.warningRemember to measure twice, cut once. Double check your measurements before cutting boards and palings or you may end up wasting time and supplies.warningsRemember to measure twice, cut once. Double check your measurements before cutting boards and palings or you may end up wasting time and supplies.keywordhow to build garden gateskeywordshowkeywordstokeywordsbuildkeywordsgardenkeywordsgatesResourcesreferenceHow to build a lumber gate
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