Knowing how to build a Farm House style Deck Gate that lasts, does not sag or close properly is something I am sure (If you found our website) close to your heart. Many of the designs today, look simple and clean but lack strength. Typical designs don’t take into account two factors. 1. Strength over time and 2. Affordable (if they are steel it gets expensive real quick).
In this post today, we have the task of replacing the two gates on our deck from 1989. I honestly don’t know how they survived this long. They literally weigh only 2 lbs as they are rotting away and way past the replacement date. This was one of the first Items we wanted to replace, but did not get to it until now as it was not a priority.
Before Building a Deck Gate
If you are starting from scratch, you may need to check with your local city or town about proper Building Code regulations. Typically if you are replacing (exact location and height) you can get by without getting the over reaching government in your life. However it does not hurt to look up your local town regulations (web site) that are required. While in many cases it won’t be a factor, sometimes they will give you a helpful tip or two. Here are a couple of things to think about that you might see:
- The top of hand rails or gates may have a height requirement (typical would be roughly 44″ from the deck surface).
- The gate should swing over the deck, not open stairs
- Gaps in or below the gate should be limited to four inches.
- Think about how you will secure the gate in both positions. The wind blows at our house so it must be secured in either position.
How to Build a Farm House style Deck Gate: Step-by-Step
You only need a couple of basic hand tools and a saw for making this farm house style deck gate. The materials list below is pretty simple. You can use this design for a yard & pasture fence or a driveway gate as well. This is a timeless, strong gate design that can meet many jobs you might have.
What you will need:
- Measuring tape
- Pencil to mark the wood
- 10″ Compound Miter Saw
- Drill (two if you have them)
- Drill bits
- 1×6 Treated Decking bards (for two gates I used (3) 12 ft and (3) 8ft boards)
- Wood Deck screws (3″ and 2″)
- Two gate hinges
- Two gate latches or hooks
- Paint
- Wire Brush Wheel
Measure the location of the gate
Final Measurements for our gate
MY GATE SPECS:
Top & bottom boards: 42″ inches
Side boards: 23″ inches
Middle board: 29″ inches
Cross boards: 53″ inches
Mark and cut boards
Solid Joints
Cross Member Support
– Lay the boards on top of each side of the gate. Make sure to center the boards to the corner of the fence. I went ahead and secured each end with 1 screw. – Use a pencil to mark where you need to cut the ends of the cross member.
As you can see in this picture, the final result, it looks like an arrow and is flush with the top and side.
Adding Additional Support
Re-using The Old Hinge
Final Prep Before Painting
Mounting the Gate
Project Costs
We hope you enjoyed this guide on how to make your own Farm House Style Deck Gate. We were lucky to have a template, but now that is passed on to you. Let us know if you create a gate for your home. We would love to see it!
Until next time!
