How to Design a Simple Wooden Driveway Gate for a Cabin

Measure the space between your fence posts to find how long the gate needs to be. Subtract 2 inches from this measurement. Measure and cut five boards to this length. Measure the height of the fence posts and subtract 2 inches. Measure and cut three boards to this length.

Lay two of the long boards on a flat surface running parallel. Set two of the tall boards perpendicularly on top of the long boards at each end to form a rectangle. Adjust the boards as needed so the corners are flush. Drill a hole through both boards at each corner using a drill bit equal in size to the width of your lag bolts.

Slip a lag bolt through each hole entering the tall boards and coming out the back of the long boards. Secure each bolt with a nut.

Measure the length between the tall boards to find the exact center of the gate. Lay the third tall board perpendicularly over the long boards in the center. Drill holes and secure with a lag bolt at each end of the new board.

Measure the diagonal between the end tall boards and the center board. Measure and cut two boards to this length. Draw a 45 degree angle onto the ends of these boards with the boards resting on their 4-inch width. Cut the boards on the drawn line.

Place a diagonal brace board over the frame on each side of the center board to form an upside down “V” shape on the gate. Secure the brace boards to the long boards by drilling a hole and inserting a lag bolt at each end of the diagonal boards.

Flip the framing over so the tall and diagonal boards are facing down. Lay the remaining three long boards across the frame running parallel to the attached long boards. Space the boards evenly between the attached long boards.

Secure the new long boards to each of the three tallnboards and where they intersect with the diagonal brace boards using wood screws at each intersection. Stain, paint or treat the gate as desired and hang.