A well-built gate makes a great addition to a fence
giving easy access in and out of your yard
Your gate should be wide enough to walk through with your mower or wheelbarrow
and match the design of the rest of your fence for a consistent finish
If you're installing a gate as part of a new fence you'll need to lay gate posts
Watch the how to install fence posts video for tips on this procedure
Start by building the gate frame
Cut two by fours the length of the opening in your fence
to form the top and bottom rails
cut notches the shape of the side rails to piece the frame together
lay the rail length on the ground as you build the frame
Drill pilot holes where you'll join the top and bottom rails to the side rails
connect the frame together with deck screws
measure the diagonals of the frame to ensure the gate is perpendicular in all corners
If it isn't, push gently on the corners to adjust the gate frame until all corners are 90 degrees
Lay the frame over a 2x4 to form the cross brace for extra support
Mark the angle cuts and use a circular or miter saw to cut the ends of the cross brace
Leave the cross-brace across the diagonal of the frame
Drill pilot holes through the cross brace and again use deck screws to connect it to the rails
Position the first board along one side rail
and use deck screws to attach it to the top and bottom rails
Make a basic t-shaped spacer to align the fence boards equally apart
Take some time to ensure that the spacing allows the last fence board
to be positioned flush at the end of the gate
On the other side of the gate frame, space the fence boards in the opposite configuration
For additional privacy add a lattice across the top of the gate
You'll need to attach additional two by fours to the side rails to form end caps that support the lattice
You'll also cut two lengths of groove 2x4 to the width of the gate to form a support for the lattice
Attach one length to the top rail with the groove side up to form the base for the lattice
Cut the lattice to the width of the gate
and slide it into the groove on the top rail until it reaches the end cap
Secure the lattice by attaching the other end cap to the side rail
Place the second grooved 2x4 on top of the lattice
and screw it into the end caps on either side to finish the gate
For maximum support make sure your cross brace runs to the bottom of the gate post on the hinge side
Your gate should swing into your yard so position the hinges accordingly
Pre-drill the holes then screw the hinges to the gate
Ask someone to help lift the gate temporarily in place between the posts
Prop the gate on a block of wood to lift it to the desired height
as you mark and attach the hinges to the gate post
Fasten a latch on to the gate and close the gate to align the position of the strike plate
Mark the screw holes for the strike plate with a pencil and pre-drill the holes
Fasten the strike plate to the gate post and test the latch
You've now got a gate that doesn't just look good but works great
More saving. More doing... that's the power of The Home Depot
Here's a reminder of the tools and materials you'll need to complete this project