How to Build a Garden Gate: Free Plans
How to Build a Garden Gate: Free Plans
How to build a DIY garden gate easily with these free step by step plans
Rome wasn’t built in a day and apparently dream gardens aren’t either…
I know I am pretty bummed about that too, but here we are.
We started our dream garden at the beginning of spring this year and we have made a lot of progress.
So far we have fenced in the area (it’s not done, done though), built a bunch of raised garden beds, and added this adorable mailbox to store all our gardening tools.
Now that the fall/winter planting season is gearing up I thought now would be a good time to also build a DIY garden gate.
There are a lot of garden gate plans out there but none of them were quite right for the size we needed and the fact that I really wanted two gates for our garden entrance.
So I grabbed some wood and kind of winged it… Honestly I am really excited about how good these came out and so I thought I would share my DIY garden gate plans with you too.
If you are only needing one garden gate though these plans will still work perfectly!
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DIY Garden Gate Supplies:
- (3) 2x4x8 Boards
- (6) 1x3x8 Pine Boards
- 2-1/2″ Pocket Screws
- Construction Grade Adhesive
- Pocket Hole Jig
- 1-1/2″ Nails
- (2) Hinges
- Gate Latch
The above supplies are per gate, so if you are building two gates like I did you will need to double the supplies.
How to Build a Garden Gate
Garden Gate Frame
The first step to building a garden gate is to measure the opening and then subtract 1/2″ from that measurement. This number will be the total width of the garden gate.
The height of the garden gate is really just personal preference.
Start by cutting the frame pieces, cut (2) 2×4’s to 36″, these are the frame’s side pieces.
Next cut (2) 2×4’s to the width you want your gate to be minus 8″, these pieces will be the top and bottom frame piece. You are subtracting 8″ to account for the 2×4’s on each side. Our top and bottom frame pieces are 32-3/4″ each.
Now that the four frame pieces are cut, set the jig and pocket hole drill bit to 1-1/2″. Drill (2) 1-1/2″ pocket holes into both sides of the top and bottom frame piece.
Building the Garden Gate Frame
Assemble the top and bottom frame pieces so that they are on the inside of the long side pieces.
Use construction grade adhesive and 2-1/2″ pocket screws to secure the top and bottom frame pieces to the side frame pieces. A square and clamps will be your best friends during this portion.
Once the frame is assembled you can add the final 2×4 diagonal support. The easiest way to get this measurement is to cut a 45 degree angle on the support 2×4. Then lay it into position and trace the other sides angle from underneath.
This final cut will also be 45 degrees and should fit nice and snug. Once you dry fit this piece, drill pocket holes into each side (yes it’s awkward to do this and they won’t be perfectly spaced like the other ones) and attach it the same way as the rest of the frame.
This is how your completed frame should look at this point:
Cutting the Gate Slats
Now that the gate frame is built you can move onto the gate slats.
Cut the 1x3x8 boards in half, they should come out to about 48″ each. Each of our gates has 9 slats on it, spaced about 2-1/2″ apart.
To cut the fancy looking top angles I didn’t use a jig or template… I did it the “bad at math” way. If your brain doesn’t really work in the math way either, this is the method for you!
The middle board has no angle cut, it’s just a straight cut. From there I lined up my four slat boards on either side of the middle and working from the inside to the outside made 5 degree cuts. So my first angle cut is 5 degrees, second board is cut at 10 degrees, third board at 15 degrees, fourth board at 20 degrees.
For the other side I did the same cuts but moved the miter saw in the opposite direction.
Now the boards are not the correct length yet, set the two outside boards so that the non-angle side is flush with the bottom of the frame.
Then set the rest of the boards so the angles meet like this:
Mark the opposite end of the boards for the length cut. See? Absolutely zero math involved!
Attaching Gate Slats
BIG TIP: if you are going to be staining this garden gate, now is the time to sand the gate frame, don’t make my mistake. It is hard to sand the 2×4’s once the slats are attached!
To attach the gate slats to the gate frame I used 1-1/2″ nails and adhesive.
I also made a 2-½” spacer to make placement quick and easy.
Start with the first slat flush against the side of the gate frame, apply adhesive and clamp it to the frame. Next use the 1-1/2″ nails to attach the slat to the frame. You can also use screws but that seemed unnecessary.
For the next slat use the spacer and attach it the same way. Keep attaching the rest of the gate slats the same way.
Finishing the DIY Garden Gate
This garden gate is super cute already don’t you think!
Now that the garden gate is assembled it’s time to finish it.
Use stainable wood filler to fill all the nail holes and sand the entire garden gate down with 120 + 220 grit sandpaper. If you need a good battery powered sander, here is the one I use and love!
Next, paint or stain the garden gate. I used Varthane’s new Exterior Stain + Spar in Kona for this project. Having the stain and spar in one made things go a lot faster.
I applied two coats total and I was done! If you are not using a stain + spar, definitely apply a Spar Urethane once the stain dries or the stain will fade and the wood won’t be protected from the elements.
Installing Gate Hardware
For our gates I used these hinges because they can hold the weight and also looked cutesy.
Pre-drill the holes for the gate screws to ensure the wood doesn’t split or crack when the hardware screws are attached.
I installed two hinges per gate, spacing them so that both the top and bottom hinge attached over where the frame part was.
Don’t forget to check which way your hinge opens and install it properly… A different DIY project taught me that lesson.
Installing a DIY Garden Gate
In order to actually install the garden gate to the existing fence I needed a few scrap 2×4’s and a level.
I set the first garden gate on (2) stacked 2×4’s, checked the levelness, and screwed the hinge directly into the 4×4 post.
The second garden gate was installed just as smoothly, I just made sure the fence slat angles matched and that the gate itself was level.
Honestly I have never installed a gate before and I didn’t know if I could do it solo but it was really easy!
Finally I added this sweet little garden gate latch that matched the hinges.
DIY Garden Gate Reveal
Check it off the list, the DIY garden gate is officially complete!
I absolutely love how this garden gate project turned out, the angled slats really added that extra something I wanted.
Plus I am really excited that the black posts pair so well with the Kona stain, it adds a nice dimension to the entire fence.
Eventually the plan is to install a top and bottom board along the fence but that’s for later.
I hope these garden gate plans help you create your dream gate, let me know what you think about the wood stain and black posts.
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