How to Build a Lattice Gate for an Air Conditioning Unit

Measure the perimeter of the enclosure and mark it with twine. Place the perimeter 12 inches away from the air conditioning unit so air can flow freely between the lattice and the unit. The box has three sides, with the wall of the house or building acting as the fourth side of the box.

Cut four 4-foot lengths from a 2-by-2-inch board, using a power saw. These four boards are the corner posts.

Dig a 10-inch-deep hole 4 inches out from the wall on either side of the unit, along the perimeter of the gate as marked out. Insert a post into each hole. Fill in the holes with the soil and tamp it to hold the posts in place. Using the same method, install the remaining two corner posts in the marked corners on the outside of the unit.

Measure the distance between the posts on either side of the unit. Measure from the outside edges of the posts. Cut four lengths of 1-by-2-inch boards to match these measurements to create the side lattice frames.

Cut the lattice sheet with a handsaw. Cut two sheets that are 3 feet high and the same width as side frames.

Nail a frame to the top and bottom of each lattice sheet. Use small tack nails, spacing them 6 inches apart.

Attach each panel to the posts to create the sides of the lattice box, using wood screws. Place the screws through each corner of the frames and down the edges of the lattice so that it is completely secured to the posts.

Measure the distance between the two front posts, from inside the posts. Subtract 2 inches from the measurement, which will allow the gate to swing freely, to determine the length of the top and bottom rail of the gate. Cut these two rails from the 1-by-2-inch boards. Cut two side rails that are 32 inches long.

Lay the top and bottom rail on your work surface. Set the side rails in place between the top and bottom rail to form a box. Place a metal corner brace on each corner where two rails meet. Attach the brace with wood screws.

Cut a piece of lattice to fit on top of the frame. Attach the lattice to the frame with wood screws.

Attach two gate hinges to the rail on one side of the gate, using wood screws. Position one hinge 4 inches down from the top of the gate, and place the second hinge 4 inches up from the gate bottom.

Screw the hinges into the corner post of the lattice box. Install a latch on the opposite side of the gate to hold the gate closed.