How to Build a Wood Fence and Gate 

"Over doing it" today means "the way they used to build it back when". Great video, well done, awesome graphics and explanation of forces on the gate posts.

One of the most methodical fencing and gate videos I've seen on RU-vid. Awesome work!

I was looking for this exact template online. It was living in my head and you my friend executed it perfectly

I’m planning my own fence and I’ve watched this one video over 100 times. If you have any footage of you building the fence itself, I’d love to see it. You have the most well thought out, but also well explained video on fence construction. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video!

Man, you did it right as humanly possible ! details, research, and overthinking is the way to go......

As a pro you did a fantastic job and better than 90% of fence builders. Clearly you're a talented carpenter even if its out of necessity for home repairs like this fence video.

This video is exactly what DIY videos should all look like. Your procedure and methods were a great help and well thought out and presented. Thanks for posting.

Not overdone, it's just how it's supposed to be done. Great video, thank you.

You've got a great voice...I felt like I was listening to a recorded book. I LOVE that your gates have no gap! I recently hired an idiot to build a fence and gates at my home. I will be using your tips when I rebuild 4 gates. Thank you.

“This is clear evidence, beyond any doubt, that I just waaay over did it” is my favorite part of the video lol

You sir have my subscription! Not overdone. Overdoing it is what the standard should be.

Louis, always the perfectionist. Well done sir.

I’ve been looking at my fence for a year wanting to put a double gate in , thanks for the video it sure helps

Super great! Headed to the depot for my supplies and getting started. Thanks

Nice job! you’re a fence engineer looks great and I like how you thought about all the factors before hand instead of on the spot improvising. I really like how you coated the bottom of posts and the lap joints also the screw they give you for the hinges are too small i always like putting longer ones in

Your the man, man. Damn sure appreciate the pride. I can't always afford to do things exactly like they should be done but I hate the thought of investing time and money into something that isn't going to last. Thanks for the info and the great video.

thanks for this vid, and no you did not "over do it". Your precision is what makes you proud of your work and know your effort ended up with something better made than most others. I got some great info and ideas on how to build my gate from your work..so thanks!

I found the best-in-one fence video eventually. Thank you so much

You have given me a standard to set when building mine this coming spring.

thank your for taking a ton of time to share your experience! best gate build I’ve seen. Paul from the MS coast.

Thank you so much for your video. It's 6.9.23 and I'm about to start my Gate fence following all your instructions good job buddy 👍and thank you. Cheers🍻

This is Exactly the video I needed as I want to construct a fence and gate just like yours. The tension wires are a stroke of genius. Much thanks for a great video.

Your video made more sense than any others I have watched 👍 thanks

THANK YOU so much for the impeccable details! Knowledge is power and I have learned much from your experience which will translate into a huge time saver and minimal headaches! I did a lot of research on how to make wood posts last and my conclusion was that it won't. Wood will always shrink and expand. It is because of this that there will always be gaps for the water to go inside the concrete and and eventually cause the wood to deteriorate over time. Some techniques will slow down and minimize the deterioration but never eliminate it. I ended up using metal posts then cover it with a fake wood post with 2x4s and 2x6s. Loved the asphalt on the post bottom. Wish I had thought of that! Instead of asphalt, I used this Restore paint product which seems like it's either concrete or sand particles mixed in with paint. When dry, it looks like the post has a 20 grit sand paper surface. (if that even exists!) I'm hoping the paint and that rough surface would shield the wood from being a meal for any little critters.

Well done, thank you. Great detail, with a bit of a serial killer vibe. Just the right balance!

Louis, I'm replacing a battered fence gate on the alley side of my back yard, and thought it would be nice to build a double gate to get my truck through, just in case it's needed. I've watched I don't know how many videos on double gates, and yours is the best tutorial so far. You also have a great voice for narration, no hype, just clear and straightforward. I built a gate for the side yard and made a mockup of the latch assembly, very similar to yours. It's amazing how many "oh sh*t" problems can be avoided simply by using scrap wood and making a mockup, for the DIY person who is making something for the first time.

amazing video... been searching for days for one just like this... thank you!

Informative! Thanks for taking the time to share your project.

that cable trick for the 3/16th gap was genius!

This is probably the best gate that I’ve ever seen built on RU-vid. Great attention to detail.

One of the best of many DIY videos I've seen. Outstanding thought process and clearly explained. The principles you espoused and demonstrated will come in handy. Also great videography: sound & graphics! You make perfect sense to me. Thank you, Louis Storms!

Very well thought out and planned.

This was the best video I’ve seen thus far. Great work!

Nice job came out great, usually we leave larger gap in the middle to have room for clearance and for latch’s that you can open from either side of the fence. You do great work respect the attention to detail

Outstanding job. Thanx for sharing.

Wow, what a great video! Thank you!

Researching my fence and gate project for 2020. Your info is so helpful!

I really liked your video. Very interesting and all the diagrams and digital samples. Amazing

I also live in Houston! Outstanding video Brother! Peace and Love!

Your gates are fabulous sir. Good job !

I like the 45* notches on the gate👌🏽

Excellent video, excellent design, excellent explanation. Well done. This guy must be an engineer.

wow man!!!! this is some top level video with all the details and all pretty amazing

The curb appeal is insane on your fence. Definitely adds value and I'm sure confidence. I too was looking at different ways of setting fence posts. Your method did cross my mind, but I think I will end up using simpson strong tie 4x4 brackets set in concrete. This way if I ever have to replace them or the future owner, they can just unscrew it, replace, screw in new one.

Great job....looks amazing 👍👍

Good job. Very well expanded. Fence looks great 👍👍

Louis,Great job your fence looks wonderful I'm going to try to recreate one for myself.

Yooo nice video love the way everything was explain on how the supports work Nd stuff! Thanks!!!

Well done, that was a very helpful video.

Whistle of approval

Good job man!!! Looks great!!!

Great job!!

That is a great video and a awesome looking gate!! great job

Love your video! Great job! Voice is not annoying and let's me finish til the end! New sub here!

Thanks I have learnt a great deal from this video. Thanks

Very helpful. Thanks 👍🏼

Love the video man, great job!

Very impressed.

Way to Go in Way over Doing IT!!! Awesome Job!!!

Awesome work! First video I see and I'm hooked! Great F-n for fantastic work!!

This video was awesome thank u...

Great video it was a lot of help as I am just building a gate

Well done ✔ your precision and workmanship is inspirational 👏

Wow what a video !!! Thanks man !!!

Good job man

Great video, from another carpenter.

Not over done at all. It just shows that everyone else just half assed it. Worlds most beautiful fence & Gate.

Really nice

Good job dude. Very nice and great design work.

good job, its ok you take your time to get correect

Great video great job very informative thank you

Amateur? Nothing about this video gives me that impression. Your video and explanation sounds like a professor on professionally building a gate. Great job!

I hope you are gainfully employed as an engineer somewhere!! Great video. I'm going to borrow a lot of your design for my fence rebuild.

Thank you!

Good work

@7:03 you could measure the far end outside corners of your square. If both distances are the same you are squared.

So good!

Wow, the most impressive and informative video that I have seen on fences. This is EXACTLY how I would build my fence, if I knew how to. I also live in Houston, any chance you would take on a side project? I would hire you in a heart beat!

Sir you made it yourself screw everyone else scratching their head. You adapted and over came it.

A great video. Well done on a magnificent looking fence. You could have used metal brackets in a concrete footing for the fence posts and then they would never deteriorate.

I love your gate! Wish you could help me build mine! Ugh I’m going to try my best.

Hi Louis. Thanks for the detailed instructions. I finished my gates last week . Wants to share some pictures. But cannot upload here.

Very well done !! Holy crap

Thank you.

And also they look beautiful I need a fence like that 🤦‍♂️❤

Very nice

Thanks a lot

Yeah you over did it. But it looks amazing. Great work

Very nice fence!!! High standards is okay!.. it pays off.. can you share some specs on the framing and spacing needed to do the picture frame style of fence? What type of wood and stain? Thank you!

All I can say is good job

Nice!

very good video

Pretty

I have one idea, not yet tested. Tie the joint together with a triangle shaped piece of wood or metal where the diagonal meets the upright. It makes sense to me tho i have looked thru a lot of videos on this I have yet to see it. It seems to me that as one puts the screws thru the 2x4 diagonal member into the upright or cross member, over time that could wear on the 2x4 and have a tendency over time to split even with the glue. It is a point of stress where there isn't a lot of wood to put a screw thru. So tie it all together instead with a triangle that covers the joint with glue and or small screws. Great ideas and very very nice descriptive video and graphics. probably took as much or more time than the gate! THANK YOU

Quality vid

Very cool! Thanks for detail talk about theory! And I've one question - Doesn't it moving on very wet weather? My wood (it's larch or larix) twisting!!! And breaks screws...

Great build, thank you for recording this and showing all the steps you used. How has this fence held up after 2 years? Has there been any sagging?

Awesome video. Have been researching this subject all week. Your video and methods are just what I have been looking for. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. What CAD program are you using in this video?

Great looking fence! Super informative video. Thanks for sharing this. 4 questions... Did you use lap joints on the post & rail to mount pickets flush? How wide are your pickets? And for cap & trim, is that 2x3 under 2x6, with 1x3 trim? I believed you used 2x6kicker with that 45miter on kicker and cap, so gate swings open without rubbing?

Thank you! I thought the same thing about the cross brace not resting on the bottom rail, but on the post. Other videos I’ve seen don’t do it the way you did. Your way makes sense. I’m a perfectionist as well so I would indeed want the same precise gape between the gates. Great job! 👍