How Do You Construct A Deck Gate Using Deck Railing?
Although wood deck railings can be very beautiful and add to the visual impact of a deck, they serve a very fundamental safety function—keeping people from falling off. However, if you have pets or small children, you may need a gate as well. Converting a section of rail into a gate is easy if you follow these steps. Measure the opening where the gate will be installed. Measure across the bottom, middle and top of the opening. If the measurements are different, adjust the posts so that they are plumb and square, and then remeasure. Remove the top cap of the rail if one is installed (this is the top piece of lumber that lies flat over the 2-by-4-inch lumber that has the pickets attached). The gate will not have a top cap because this will hinder operation. Deduct 3/8-inch from the final measurement of the opening and cut your railing to this size. Be sure that there is an equal space between the pickets on both sides of the rail section (cut both sides if necessary to accomplish this)
