How to Build a Small Wooden Gate for a Side Raised Deck

Sketch the rectangular gate frame. Include the height and width dimensions on the sketch. The width of the gate frame should be 1 inch shorter than the space between the gate posts to allow clearance for the hinges and latch. The height of the gate is a matter of personal preference.

Set the miter saw to make 45-degree cuts. Trim off one end of a 2-by-4-inch plank by placing the 2-inch surface of the plank on the table of the saw and holding the plank firmly against the guide fence as you cut. Refer to the dimensions on the sketch to mark the long edge of the trimmed plank to the length of the horizontal gate rails. Cut the rail to length. The cut ends are divergent, not parallel. Cut a second rail to the same dimensions.

Measure, mark and cut two vertical stiles to the dimensions noted on the sketch. Like the rails, the stiles are measured on the long sides of the trimmed planks and trimmed so their ends are divergent, not parallel.

Arrange the rails and stiles on a flat surface to form a rectangle with mitered corners, like a picture frame. Place an L-shaped mending plate on each corner or the frame, centered to the rails and stiles. Use a drill and driving bit to screw one leg of each plate to the frame. Lay a carpenter's square on one corner of the frame. Adjust the positions of the rails and stiles, if necessary, to form a perpendicular mitered joint. Screw the unattached leg of the mending plate in place. Repeat to square and join remaining corners of the frame.

Measure, mark and cut the infill planks. Depending of the gate's style, the infill pickets may be trimmed to align with or extend above the upper gate rail prior to installation.

Turn the frame over so the mending plates are against the flat surface. Arrange the pickets or planks on the frame so the outer edges of the left and right pickets are aligned with the outer edges of the stiles. Arrange the inner pickets or infill planks between the outer planks so they are evenly spaced and aligned with the upper and lower rails. .

Attach each picket to the upper and lower rails with at least two evenly spaced screws in horizontal lines. Attach the outer pickets to the left and right stiles with screws spaced about 4 inches apart in a vertical line. The finished gate may be installed with appropriate hardware.