How to Build a Wooden Gate for Your Yard

1. Check on Permits

   Check with your local permitting agency about height restrictions and whether you need to obtain a fence building permit. Many local building codes cap fence and gate heights at 6 feet.

2. Measure the Fence Boards

   With a measuring tape, make a pencil mark at 72 inches on one of the tongue and groove fence boards.

3. Cut the Fence Boards

   Cut the board to 72 inches long with the miter saw. Use this board as a template to cut the rest of the fence boards at 72 inches long.

4. Measure and Cut the Horizontal Braces

   Measure three 42-inch segments on two of the 1x6 cedar boards (not the tongue and groove boards). Cut these segments to create three boards, each 42 inches long.

5. Lay Out the Boards

   Lay out the three 1x6 boards. Two of the boards should be parallel to each other and 5 feet apart. The third board should be parallel to the other two and exactly in the middle of them.

   Lay the tongue and groove boards on top of the three boards. Gently tap one board's tongue into the groove of its neighboring board until all form a single unit.

   Tip

   The 1x6 boards underneath might move. If that's the case, keep the tongue and groove boards in place while you readjust the lower boards to their original positions.

6. Attach the Tongue and Groove Boards

   Attach the tongue and groove boards to the 1x6 horizontal brace boards underneath with the 7/8-inch exterior screws. Pre-drill holes for the screws to eliminate splitting. Keep a close eye on those lower boards, so they don't move out of position as you work.

7. Measure and Cut the Diagonal Brace

   Carefully flip over the gate. Lay the remaining 1x6 cedar board diagonally across the horizontal braces. Temporarily screw the diagonal board in place to secure it.

   Lay your straight edge ruler over this diagonal brace, staying parallel with the lines of the horizontal braces. Make six pencil marks on the diagonal brace parallel to the top and bottom of each horizontal brace.

   Remove the temporary screws. Then, cut the diagonal brace with your miter saw at those six marks. Three cut pieces will eventually be discarded (the two ends and the middle), leaving two cut pieces that you will use as the diagonal brace.

8. Glue the Diagonal Brace

   Run a line of carpenter's glue on the back side of the two diagonal brace pieces. Then, press the pieces in place on the gate in between the horizontal braces. Weigh down the two glued pieces with cinder blocks, rocks, or anything sufficiently heavy. Let the glue dry for about two hours.

9. Attach the Diagonal Brace

   After the glue has dried, flip over the gate. Screw the diagonal brace pieces in place with the 7/8-inch screws.

10. Place the Gate

    Set the gate in place on your fence, and support it with scrap cedar pieces to provide about 1/2 inch of clearance at the bottom. Leave about 1/4 inch of distance on the hinge side of the gate. It's helpful to have an assistant hold the gate in place at this point.

11. Mount the Gate

    Using the cordless drill and the screws included with the hinges, screw the hinges in place at the top, middle, and bottom of the gate and to the gate frame. Check to make sure the gate swings properly. If necessary, adjust the hinges to level, tighten, or loosen the gate.

12. Mount the Latches

    Using the cordless drill and the screws included with the latches, screw the slide latches in place on the top and bottom of the gate. Screw their receiving sections on the gate frame. Mount the flip latch in a similar fashion at the center of the gate.

When to Call a Professional

Building and hanging a gate that swings perfectly and latches with precision can be difficult due to the weight of the building materials.

Any fence installation company can install a wooden gate for you. Some companies may be able to build a custom gate, as well.