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Building a picket fence gate is a simple DIY project that can enhance the appearance and functionality of your fence. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Measure the opening: Measure the width of the fence opening and subtract 1 inch to determine the width of your gate.
2. Cut the boards: Cut two vertical boards to match the height of your fence and several horizontal boards to create the gate frame.
3. Assemble the frame: Attach the horizontal boards to the vertical boards using screws or nails to create the gate frame.
4. Attach pickets: Cut and attach pickets to the gate frame using screws or nails, leaving a small gap between each picket.
5. Install hinges: Attach hinges to the gate frame and the fence post, ensuring they are level and aligned.
6. Install latch and handle: Install a latch and handle on the gate for easy access and security.
7. Paint or stain: Finish the gate with paint or stain to protect it from the elements.
Remember to follow safety precautions and consult local building codes before starting your project. With these steps, you can successfully build a picket fence gate and enjoy the benefits of a functional and attractive entryway to your property.
A wooden fence gate is not only a functional entrance to your backyard but also adds to the visual appeal of your home. Although picket fence gates are common in most neighborhoods, finding design inspiration is still helpful if you’re building one for the first time. You can find numerous examples on websites like Own the Yard and Backyard Boss, which offer over 50 unique images combined. However, it’s advisable to keep it simple, especially if you’re a beginner in fence building. A basic gate design will serve you well, and you can always upgrade to a more complex design later, using your experience since most wooden fence gates have a similar structure.
The easiest design for a wood picket fence gate is one that replicates the contours and pickets of the fence. If you have basic carpentry skills and enough lumber and pickets, you can construct a simple picket fence gate in less than an hour. However, take your time, pay attention to details, and have fun as you add the finishing touch to your new picket fence or give your old one a new lease on life.
Design and Materials for the Fence Gate
A standard fence gate is typically between 30 and 36 inches wide, and the simplest ones have a rectangular structure with one diagonal brace or a pair of braces forming a cross. Once you construct this basic frame with 2×4 lumber, you attach a covering, which is usually similar to the rest of the fence. If it’s a picket fence, you can make pickets from 3/4-inch lumber if you can’t find matching pickets at the lumber yard.
The best wood species for fences and fence gates are redwood and cedar because they resist rot and moisture damage. However, if you’re going to paint the gate, pine and fir are also suitable because the paint will protect them. Fir and pine are not ideal for semitransparent or clear finishes unless they are pressure-treated. Pressure-treated fencing slats with a cedar tone can be cut into pickets, but real cedar pickets are less expensive and more suitable. Choose rough-sawn or planed wood depending on what you have on the rest of the fence.
The gate hardware, including hinges and latches, is standard and inexpensive. Gate hinges usually mount on the outside surface, but they can go on the inside if you prefer the gate to swing into the yard. Self-closing hinges are a great addition to a picket fence gate, especially if you want to keep your dog in the yard.
Image Credit:
DonKurto/iStock/GettyImages
Creating Your Own Fence Pickets
If you can’t find pickets that match your fence, don’t worry, you can make them yourself using standard 3/4-inch fence slats or other types of 3/4-inch lumber. While it’s easiest to use a table saw, you can still make them with a circular saw if you use it safely.
Start by measuring the dimensions of one of your existing pickets and marking those dimensions on the lumber you want to cut. Crosscut the lumber to the right length, draw a line through the marks for the width, and rip-cut the board to the desired width. Clamp the board onto a table or bench and wear goggles to avoid getting sawdust in your eyes.
To cut the profile on the top, align the trimmed board with one of the fence pickets and trace the top’s outline. If it’s triangular, use a circular saw, but if it’s curved, use a jigsaw. Once you have one picket, use it as a template to make the rest.
What You’ll Need
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2×4 lumber
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3-inch deck screws
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1 1/2-inch wood screws or 1 1/2-inch galvanized finish nails
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Gate hardware
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Tape measure
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Circular saw
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Speed square
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Drill
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3/8-inch drill bit
Constructing a Picket Fence Gate
Warning
When using a power saw, always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from sawdust.
Step 1: Find a Suitable Work Area
Look for a large, level area to construct the gate frame. Avoid building on an uneven walkway or lawn. A flat concrete driveway or patio is ideal. Use a workbench if you have one.
Step 2: Determine the Gate Frame Dimensions
Use a tape measure to measure the width of the opening from both the tops and bottoms of the gate posts. Subtract 3/4 inch for swinging clearance. If the measurements are different, fix the loose or leaning post before making the gate. For the best look, make the top and bottom rails the same height as the fence rails, or offset the gate rails by equal amounts if the gate is a different height than the fence.
Step 3: Cut the Gate Frame
Using a circular saw, cut two 2x4s to the width of the gate (minus 3/4 inch). To get the lengths of the uprights, subtract 3 inches (twice the crosspiece thickness) from the distance between the fence rails, plus or minus the offset you calculated. Mark the length on two more 2x4s and crosscut them to create the uprights.
Step 4: Construct the Frame
Arrange the crosspieces vertically on your work surface and position the uprights between them to form a rectangle. Verify that each inner corner is at a 90-degree angle using a speed square and then fasten the frame together with 3-inch deck screws. You can use these screws to attach the crosspieces to the uprights, but a more refined method is to use pocket screws.
You can create the pockets by using a jig, as recommended by Build-Basic, but doing so requires screws that match the jig distances. It is just as simple to drill holes freehand with a 3/8-inch drill bit. Drill two holes on the inside surface of each upright, 2 1/2 inches from the end and angled about 30 degrees with respect to the upright. Insert the bit about 1/2 inch into the wood and then drive a 3-inch deck screw into each hole to secure the crosspieces to the uprights.
Step 5: Add a Support
Place a 2×4 on its edge from one top corner of the frame to the diagonally opposite bottom corner so that the outer surface of this support (the surface facing away from the gate) just touches the corners on both ends. Trace the line formed by the crosspiece on both ends of the brace and then remove the support. Set the bevel angle of a circular saw to the angle made by the lines and cut bevels on both ends of the support.
Position the support between the crosspieces and secure it by driving 3-inch screws through the crosspieces into the support. If you prefer for the screws to be concealed, use pocket screws to fasten the brace to the crosspieces.
Image Credit:
Buccina Studios/Photodisc/GettyImages
Step 6: Create a Spacer for the Pickets
Measure the distance between the pickets and cut two pieces of 2×4 to that size. These spacers will assist in spacing the gate pickets evenly.
Step 7: Attach the Pickets
Align the first picket with the hinge side of the frame and nail or screw it to the upright and the two crosspieces using 1 1/2-inch screws or galvanized finish nails. Position the spacers beside the picket on both crosspieces, position a picket next to the spacers, and secure it to the crosspieces. Continue working your way to the other side of the gate, cutting the last picket to the correct width as required with a circular saw.
Some carpenters prefer to change the spacing to avoid adjusting the width of the last picket. To accomplish this, you will need two slightly shorter or slightly longer spacers.
Step 8: Install the Hardware
Screw the hinges to the front of the gate, centered on the top and bottom crosspiece. Use screws with a minimum length of 2 inches to ensure they penetrate the picket and sink into the frame. The screws are typically included with the hardware. Finally, install the gate latch at a comfortable height on the opposite side of the gate.
How to Install Fence Posts and Hang a Wooden Gate
If you are constructing a new fence or your existing fence posts are decayed and droopy, you have the opportunity to set up new fence posts. If you are building a fence, you will need to set up many posts, so it might be wise to rent or buy an auger. However, if you just need to set up two posts, you can use a post-hole digger.
Generally, you set up a fence post one-third of its length in the ground, which is 2 feet for a 6-foot fence. But the post holes for gate posts should be a little deeper, and you should add an additional 3 inches of depth for drainage gravel. Quikrete advises that the hole should be three times as wide as the post, which is about 12 inches for a standard 4 x 4 pressure-treated fence post.
When setting up the post, first add gravel, then the post, and finally, the concrete. Use a level to make sure the post is plumb in both directions after filling the hole about one-third of the way with concrete. Then, fill it another one-third of the way and recheck for plumb. Check again when you fill it all the way.
After the concrete has cured, hanging the gate is easy, but you will probably need a helper. One person holds the gate at the right height against the hinge post, and the other person drives lag screws to attach the hinges to the posts. Open and close the gate a few times to ensure it swings freely, and then attach the strike for the latch on the opposite post.
FAQ
1. What materials do I need to build a picket fence gate?
To build a picket fence gate, you will need the following materials:
– Pickets: These are the vertical boards that make up the gate. You can choose from different types of wood, such as cedar or pine.
– Rails: These are the horizontal boards that provide support to the pickets. You will need at least two rails for stability.
– Hinges: These are the hardware that allow the gate to swing open and closed. Choose sturdy hinges that can support the weight of the gate.
– Latch: This is the mechanism that keeps the gate closed. There are different types of latches to choose from, such as a gate latch or a self-closing latch.
2. What tools do I need to build a picket fence gate?
To build a picket fence gate, you will need the following tools:
– Measuring tape: Use this to measure the dimensions of the gate and ensure it fits correctly.
– Saw: A saw will be needed to cut the pickets and rails to the desired length.
– Drill: You will need a drill to attach the pickets and rails together, as well as to install the hinges and latch.
– Screwdriver: Use a screwdriver to tighten screws and make any necessary adjustments.
– Level: A level will help you ensure that the gate is straight and properly aligned.
3. What are the steps to build a picket fence gate?
The steps to build a picket fence gate are as follows:
1. Measure and mark the desired dimensions for the gate.
2. Cut the pickets and rails to the appropriate length using a saw.
3. Attach the rails to the pickets using a drill and screws.
4. Install the hinges on one side of the gate and attach them to the fence post.
5. Hang the gate on the hinges and ensure it swings open and closed smoothly.
6. Install the latch on the opposite side of the gate and adjust it to secure the gate when closed.
7. Use a level to ensure the gate is straight and make any necessary adjustments.
8. Apply a protective finish, such as paint or stain, to the gate to enhance its durability and appearance.