How to build a garden gate.
A basic plan in pictures.
The first garden gates I built were very difficult for me. Not so much difficult I guess, intimidating. It must be difficult! Not really, it turns out. Use predrilled holes for deck screws, and use deck screws. Nails come lose after a few years. Use decent hinges, light hinges fail.
Gates
need a cross angle, usually against the hinged side, but it doesn't
have to be. At least some of the vertical boards or slats
need to be attached to the cross angle. The Gate post must be set at least 2 foot into the soil and braced. If you have the option, hinge from a solid wall. Gates have leverage, the wider the gate, the better your gate post needs to be supported. Never nail the hinges in, always use deck screws or screwed hangers in the case of metal gates.
You can find panels like this at hardware or lumber stores. Add a cross brace and you have a gate.
Short scraps of 1X12 redwood made this gate.
Matching all to components perfectly is not that important. (You will do a better job if you build it on the ground, then hang it.) The brace, deck screws, older dry wood, and good hinges matter more. Notice that every vertical has at least three screws.
You can use a $2 bungee or a $5 spring to keep the gate closed. If you put a little lean in your pout that the gate is hinged on it will close 'automatically'.
