How to Build Gates for a Wooden Deck
Introduction
When you build a deck that is higher than 18 inches (with a fence and a handrail), you should put in a gate too. If you have not previously worked with wood, installing a gate can be challenging. Evaluate if this is the kind of project that you can accomplish and if it is not, call in a professional. If you can handle the task, make sure you have the proper tools and materials before you begin.
Difficulty: Difficult
Things You'll Need:
- Measuring tape
- 2-by-4 boards
- A number of pickets
- Carpenter’s square
- Saw
- Screwdriver
- 1.5 inch deck screws
Instructions
Step 1
Evaluate the distance between the fence posts with a measuring tape. Between these posts is where you will put in the gate. Cut two 2-by-4’s so that they measure one inch less than the distance between the posts.
Step 2
Divide Step 1’s measurement by 5.5 inches. The resulting number is the amount of pickets that you will need for the gate. You will balance out any extra inches with pickets that are less than 5.5 inches and add up to the remaining space needed to be covered.
Step 3
Measure the height of the pickets. Mark the height on the bottom side of the picket. Put the carpenter’s square on the indicator you made. Use that to pencil in a line across each picket. Cut each picket to length.
Step 4
Lay out the 2-by-4’s on a table. Make sure they are parallel to one another. Put the pickets on top of and perpendicular to the boards. The pickets need to have equidistance from the top and bottom of the 2-by-4’s and they need to be evenly spaced between themselves. Attach the pickets to the 2-by-4’s with deck screws.
Step 5
Flip the gate over so that the boards are now facing upwards. Use the measuring tape to find the distance from right corner of the top 2-by-4 to the left corner of the bottom 2-by-4. Add two inches to that measurement.
Turn the gate over so that the 2-by-4's are facing up. Measure from one corner of one of the 2-by-4's to the corner of the other and then add 2 inches. Place it on the gate from one corner of the 2-by-4's from one corner to the other. Draw a line that will indicate where to cut it to make it fit between the two horizontal 2-by-4's to form a "Z" on the back of the gate. After you cut it, put it in place, turn the gate over and secure it to the pickets with the deck screws.
Tip
You can make the spaces between the pickets wider instead of using a few smaller pickets to fill in extra space you may have found in Step 2.
Warning
Don’t forget to wear protective gear while working on the gate.
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