How to Build a Wooden Gate

Wooden gates are not uncommon and have been around for a very long time. This gate can do a lot of things for you including better security, more privacy for the backyard, great for aesthetics, not costly and can be completed in a short time. This guide will show you how to build a wooden gate for a fence.

The procedure for construction

Step 1

Set some standards: you need to be sure what your wooden gate is being designed for before you start building. For this particular project, here are the design criteria.

• It will be a statement gate not a plain one
• It will serve as a focal point so it has to be tall enough to be seen from afar. People who notice it should be drawn to wonder what is happening there.
• It should be simple so it can be built in a day.
• It should be less expensive.
• It will be made tough to handle different weather conditions, especially

Of course, you can adjust these criteria for your own project and adjust measurements and materials just for that too. You can scour the internet for inspiration too and see what other people have done.

Step 2

Sketch: to build a wooden gate, you need to visualize and have your plan penned down. No special sketching skills are required for this part. A rough sketch for this project should be easy enough for anyone. Don’t think too much about it, just get some paper and a pen and begin sketching. You will have a better sense the materials and equipment needed as your rough sketch develops. This will be very useful for your trip to the hardware store. It is best to get everything you need before starting so you don’t waste time on errand runs.

This rough sketch can definitely give you a general idea of how long and wide you want to build a wooden gate. Standard pressure treated wood boards are less expensive and are very good for lasting through extreme weather conditions so this is definitely a good pick for our project.

Step 3

Build your own wooden gate: you will start off this project by cutting pieces of wood to use. Every framed piece should be cut to the desired size. The arch will be made from a 1 x 8inch piece, that should be cut too. The only piece left for later will be the 5/4 x 6inch slats because they have to match the size of the arc.

The next step on how to build a wooden gate is laying out the frame for the gate on the floor. The 1 x 4inch frame and the 5/4inch slat will be aligned and the hinges on the side will be laid out too because attention needs to be given to the strongest parts of the gate. This gate will be 37inches wide and the slat spaces will be 5/8inches each. This can vary according to your size and preference.

Glue all the joints together and then screw them down to build a wooden gate. Using a drive/drill for this makes this task a lot easier.

Create the arc to a 1 x 8inch size. Cut it out with a jigsaw after measuring. Check the arc against the slat to see where the slats need to be cut. Use a jigsaw for the cut-outs.

This is optional but you can add a frame behind the gate at this point of the project. This will add beauty on either side of the gate and the arc has to be copied before fixing on the other side.

The heavy-duty gate hinges will come in handy for the installation stage. The gate will be quite heavy in the assembled state so be aware. Install it on the post and reinforce with concrete.

To complete this project, you will need: