How to Build Pine Privacy Fence Gates
- 1). Check both posts for the gate and make sure they are correctly installed, plumb and sturdy.
- 2). Calculate the width and height of your gate. A pine privacy fence gate should be approximately
four feet by six feet in size. - 3). Cut enough boards at the length of six feet to create a door that is at least four feet wide.
- 4). Cut "ears" at the top of each board. These are just 45 degree cuts that are made at the top two corners with a circular saw. All you need to do is lop off an inch from each corner and now you are ready to start building a fence gate.
- 5). Lay out the boards on a pair of saw horses and pull them tight together. If the width is more than an even four feet (likely scenario) then you will have to rip one board and then place in in the middle of the door. Don't forget to install two "ears" on top after you rip it.
- 6). Cut two pine boards at the length of exactly four feet. These will be your horizontal braces.
- 7). Install the two cross pieces to the vertical row of boards that you have made with the galvanized builder's screws. Place each brace about six inches from the top and the bottom of the gate and attach the boards with the builder's screws. You can drive the screws with an electric screw gun and make sure the head of the screw is flush with the surface of the wood. Now you have a rudimentary door built, but it still needs diagonal braces.
- 8). Cut and fit one diagonal brace to run between the two cross pieces. To do this, simply lay a board on top of your door and mark the bottom and top cut with a pencil. It should be marked so that the board fits snugly between the top and bottom brace and covers the entire width of the gate.
- 9). Cut the diagonal brace with a circular saw and screw it in place with the galvanized builder's screws.
- 10
Lay another diagonal board between the cross braces going in the opposite direction to form an "X" pattern. This board will have to be marked in four places and then cut to create two more diagonal pieces to complete the "X" pattern. Once these pieces are cut, screw them in place with the builder's screws. - 11
Place a board vertically between the top and bottom cross brace and mark the top and bottom cuts. These cuts will be at very sharp angles due to the presence of the diagonal pieces which have already been installed in the last few steps. Make the two cuts and install the board between the braces with the builder's screws. - 12
Repeat step 11 for the other side of the gate. Now the gate is built. The only thing you will have to add before hanging it are the hinges and the latch.
Source...