How to Build and Repair a Simple Wooden Gate

<h2 style="margin: 10pt 0in 0pt">How to Build and Repair a Simple Wooden Gate</h2>A wooden fence surrounding a home or a garden can be stylish as well as functional. When properly designed and cared for, wooden fences are long-lasting and durable. They are easy to build and install as are matching wooden gates. Instead of buying a ready-made gate for a wooden fence, build a simple wooden one that will add aesthetic charm and practicality. It really is very easy to build a simple gate made of wood, and it is also easy to make any necessary repairs to an existing wooden gate to restore functionality and design.Necessary Supplies To build a simple wooden gate you will require sturdy latches and hinges in a design of your choice. They are available in countless styles and price ranges, and the latches and hinges chosen will depend upon the style of the wooden fence as well as your individual needs. A family with small children should consider using self-closing hinges and self-securing latches. Two hinges are adequate for supporting a wooden door that is three feet wide and five feet high. Use three hinges if the gate will be taller than five feet. Measure the width between the fence posts to determine the width of the gate before selecting the wood, and be sure to subtract adequate space to accommodate the hardware. To avoid future sagging, it is best to keep the width of the gate at approximately three feet or less. You will also require a measuring tape, wood glue for outdoor use, galvanized 10d nails, wood screws, steel reinforcing plates, 2 x 4s, pickets that match the fence, and the necessary tools to complete the job. Procedure Begin by making a frame using 2 x 4s, and create simple lap joints or mortise and tendon joints. A lap joint is made by cutting a notch in the ends of top and bottom horizontal sections of the wooden frame. Mortise and tendon joints are comprised of a notch cut out of the top and bottom of the sides of the wood frame. The horizontal wood pieces that complete the frame are designed to fit into the notch like a puzzle piece. Either method is ideal for creating a frame for the wooden gate. Measure carefully while taking into consideration the amount of clearance necessary to open and close it. Next, make a simple diagonal brace for the wood frame. The brace will make the door sturdier while keeping the frame square. Cut the ends of a 2 x 4 to fit diagonally from corner to corner. It is easy to determine the proper angles by placing it over the wood frame. Mark the lines with a pencil, and saw off the ends at the correct angles to tightly and securely support the frame. Attach it to the wood frame using steel reinforcing plates and 10d galvanized nails. Nail the pickets into place over the front of the wood frame, and securely attach the hinges to the frame using wood screws. Wooden Gate Installation Prop the gate in place before attempting to install it, or seek help from a couple of extra pairs of hands while attaching the hinges to the post. Temporarily attach the hinges to the post by pounding a single 10d nail into each hinge plate to determine if the gate will swing open and shut with sufficient clearance. If it does not open and shut with approximately two or three inches to spare at the bottom, remove the nails and reattach the gate until it can easily open and close. Securely and permanently attach the hinges to the post using wood screws. Lastly, attach the latch hardware and a simple stop designed using a scrap piece of wood approximately one-inch thick and two-inches wide. How to Repair a Sagging Wooden Gate An existing wooden gate that begins sagging can easily be repaired without replacing the entire gate using simple methods first. Begin attempting to solve the problem by tightening any loose wood screws. Sometimes this simple repair is all it takes to bring the gate back up into the proper position. If securing the wood screws does not repair the problem because the holes are stripped, replace existing wood screws with larger ones. <div style="text-align: center"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="282"><param name="movie" value="../images/banners/15b.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="../images/banners/15b.swf" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="282"></embed></object></div> To repair a wooden gate that is otherwise in good condition but still sagging, check the post. If the wooden post has shifted and is no longer straight, remove it and make the necessary adjustments by resetting it. Otherwise, install a simple turnbuckle on the door. On the upper hinge side of the gate, attach a wire to a turnbuckle, and attach another wire to the turnbuckle and to the opposite corner of the gate. Adjust the turnbuckle as necessary. More than likely this simple wooden gate will provide many more years of trouble-free use. About the author Creative home decor is what we are all about at Metal-Wall-Art.com and our staff writer, Alyssa Davis, is an expert in designing with <a href="http://www.metal-wall-art.com" target="_blank">scroll wall</a> art and <a href="http://www.metal-wall-art.com/abstract-metal-wall-art.html" target="_blank">decorative metal wall art</a>.

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