How to Build Decorative Garden Gates
Home gardens often have fences to keep pets and children out of the garden. These fences must have gates to allow access to the garden. Garden gates typically have decorations to complement the fence and garden. You will need a power saw or a lumberyard to cut the wood pieces for the gate.
Things You'll Need:
- Tape measure
- Plywood
- Power saw
- One-by-four-inch boards
- Two-by-four-inch boards
- Gate hinges
- Gate latch
- Measure the width of the fence opening to obtain the width of the garden gate. Measure the height of the fence posts, and subtract 10 inches to obtain the height of the gate.
- Cut two two-by-four pieces of wood for the sides of the gate. These pieces will be equal to the height of the gate. Cut three two-by-four pieces of wood that are four inches shorter than the width of the gate. These pieces will be the crosspieces of the gate.
- Construct the frame for the gate by attaching the three crosspieces to the sides of the gate with wood screws. The crosspieces will be attached to the top, bottom and middle of the side pieces.
- Cut a two-by-four board equal to the diagonal of your gate. Attach this board to the gate between opposite corners to serve as a diagonal brace.
- Cut one-by-four decorative palings that are two inches shorter than the fence posts. The total width of the palings should be at least equal to half the width of the gate. Attach the palings across the gate with wood screws.
- Attach the gate to the fence with a set of hinges. Attach the latch to the gate, and fasten the latch mount to the fence.