The choice of gate is determined by its location.

Side gates are located between the house and the boundary fence. They are usually 1800mm high for backyard privacy, but need to be at least 1000mm wide if you want to get a wheelbarrow through.

Front entrance gates usually blend with the existing fence and are located either on one side or in the middle of the fence, depending on the front door position. They open inwards and may be as narrow as 600mm.

Driveway gates also open on to the property and need sufficient ground clearance for the entire swing of the gate. They swing on 150 x 150mm posts, or larger if the gates are tall and heavy. Consider double diagonal bracing for wide gates.

Gate construction
1. Measure the distance between hinge post and latch post. Ensure they are equidistant both top and bottom.

2. Swing space is needed both sides of the gate, so allow for a 15-20 mm gap each side. Subtract these two spaces from the measurement between the posts. This gives the width of the gate.

3. Measure the height of the frame. This is usually set at the same spacing as the fence rails. Rail timber may also be used for gate framework.

4. Construct the frame using height and width measurements. Cut tour frame pieces to length, ensuring all the ends are square. Mitre the ends and fit together.

5. Place the frame on level ground. Measure the distance between the diagonal corners. Adjust the frame so that the distance is the same, making the frame square. Fix firmly. preferably with galvanised screws rather than nails, for strength.

6 Place a brace across the diagonal corners of the frame. Mark the internal corner angles at both ends of the brace with a pencil. Cut both ends leaving the pencil lines so that the brace will fit securely in the dame. Fit the brace into the frame with screws.

7. Check the frame in the opening. The bottom of the diagonal brace must be angled from the bottom hinge up (see the box on the left). Mark the position of the hinges using the hinge as a template.

8. Fix the pickets and hinges to the gate frame. To fix the pickets, mark the picket and gap locations on the rails. Start on the outside edges and work to the centre. After fixing the two outer pickets at the correct height, nail a straight edge to the bottom of the pickets as your height guide. Use a spacer, cut to the correct width between pickets. Nail only to hold the pickets in position until you have checked the spacing alignment. Offset the two nails.

9. Reposition the gate; mark, drill and fix the hinges to the hinge post.

Troubleshooting
If a problem is going to occur with a fence, it usually happens with the gate. To avoid problems. keep a few things in mind.

Use adequate (100 x 100mm) posts for front and side gates.

Ensure that the one diagonal brace, fixed between the rails, angles from the bottom hinge up to the top edge where the latch is usually attached. This will support the weight of the gate.

When you set your gate posts in concrete, the posts should be braced at the top to keep them parallel. This will make construction and fitting of the gate troublefree as everything will be square and vertical.

Tip: To create the curve attach a string line between two nails on the end pickets and let it drop

Source: Fences (Murdoch Books) (out of print)