[jaimrjr1]

Hello,
My name is Jaime and i have wood fence gate project and i need some advice! the area that i will be working on is about 9 feet wide. I'm planning to put the gate door in the middle and I believe the average gate door is about 3 feet wide. The fence will be a board on board with a 2x4 cap, 1x4 trim, and 2x6 base. the gate door is where i believe i am having hard time because i would like the board on board with the cap, trim, and base. I fear it would sag. so i need some advice on on how i could build this door with out sagging, I guess what kind of posts I should use 6x6 or steel posts, please i need help, thanks

 

[Ron6519]

You could build an internal frame of 1x6's or 1x8's. Half lap the corners, glue and screw it. Add turn buckles, criss crossing the corners.
Concrete the post, the hinges are on, so it doesn't move.
Ron

 

[curapa]

When building a gate make sure you pick good lumber. If you are using pressure treated, find some nice straight pieces that are light and dry, if need be set them fully supported off the floor in your garage or similar place and let them dry out.

On everyday (budget) production gates I miter the corners, add PL construction adhesive to the joint and screw one screw from the tops/sides, then toe screw two screws on the face of each joint repeating on the opposite side of the gate. Pre-drill for best results.

Add your cross support from the lower corner of the hinge side up to the top corner of the latch side. This puts the weight and stress of the gate to the spot that can handle it the best, right at the lower hinge. Add construction adhesive and toe screw.

Hinges are very important to a sag free gate. Spend the extra money and buy a nice set of strap hinges. I use the 8" (16" overall) sets with four barrels to accept the pin.

Use an anti-sag style latch where it is made to have the gate rest on it when closed keeping most stress on the latch instead of the gate.

The above process will provide a gate that can be used for many years.

On slightly higher end gates I add another cross support mirroring the one already installed forming an X. Notch each support 3/4" to fit into each other at their crossing point. Glue the joint and screw.

Hanging the gate on a 6x6 post doesn't hurt either.

 

[jlighthall]

How to keep a gate from sagging

The problem with using wood as your support system is it will expand and contract everytime it gets wet and dries back out. Instead go ahead and build your gate to match the rest of the fence and then use a metal frame. I have an adjustable metal frame that can keep your gate from sagging or twisting. I am telling you that this is an item I sell on my website. This is an item we use on our own fences that we install so I know it works. The name of the product is Gate Sag Eliminator. The link is below along with a link to a good pair of hinges and a latch.

Gate Sag Eliminator

8 inch Strap Hinges

Post Latch

 

[Gary in WA]

I would use Ron's ideas. The turnbuckle is adjustable for seasonal changes in the wood.

If you only use one, make sure it is bottom latch- diagonally- top hinge, it carries the weight.

Here is quite a few hinges rated for different weight assemblies, and a turnbuckle - last, bottom:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?acti...Ntt=gate+hardware&Ntk=i_products&N=4294961544 Be safe, G

 

[jlighthall]

RE: Turnbuckles

We have used turnbuckles before also with mixed results. The problem with a turnbuckle is it actually promotes the twisting of a gate frame because it only pulls from one side of the gate. The frame mentioned above is truly the best solution.

 

[curapa]

I do not recommend using turnbuckles. They will often cause more warping than usually encountered. It is nearly impossible to keep dual turnbuckles properly adjusted throughout the year.

I have used several different adjustable metal gate frames and none have been worth the cash paid. I have not used the one mentioned above so I cannot give an accurate review.

I do use custom welded gates that are superior to anything out there. If you are willing to pay a local fence company a fee then that would be the best sag free option. There are several metal to wood adapters sold over at http://www.hooverfence.com/ .