"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.
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!
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.
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.
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🍻
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!
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.
@12thDecember Thanks for the compliments! I could not agree with you more about the value of a mockup when making something for the first time. In my experience, two types of errors have the biggest impact on project quality. Planning and execution. A mockup can eliminate planning errors. I've been thinking about making a video demonstrating methods for reducing or eliminate planning and execution errors on almost any project.
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.
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!
Outstanding work. My only constructive criticism would be in the size of posts used to harbor the gate. Over time, gravity and natural degradation, will cause that 3/16" gap to disappear. In my experience, using 4x6 for gate widths up to 5ft is recommended. Anything over 5ft would benefit from a 6x6 post. The amount of concrete in the post hole will also vary, depending on gate width. At minimum, 160lbs with a 10ft post is what I would have used. Other than that, this is a masterclass on gate building. You sir, are a craftsman
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
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.
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
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!
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.
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
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.
Amateur? Nothing about this video gives me that impression. Your video and explanation sounds like a professor on professionally building a gate. Great job!
@Victor Johnson Thanks. I put out an update video a while back and in the description I provide a retrospective if you have not seen it. ruclips.net/video/80CLM2Hndwg/видео.html. Good luck with your fence!
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!
Thank you. I had the cedar for the gate frame lying around for years before I built the gate, so it was very dry. Haven't noticed it expanding or contracting at all. The pickets were all bought from HD and were wet. Used screws instead of nails in case I'd have to close the gaps later. It's been four years, and the gaps haven't become wide enough to compel me to do anything about it. Posts were also wet initially. If they have expanded or contracted, there's not been any noticeable expression.
I have ocd and I loved the video. Only 1 thing. Why did u not put the hinges on the inside. This would have made it look like any part of the fence and giving you that clean look.
I agree that it would be awesome if the hinges weren’t visible. I needed the gates to open outward from my backyard and to accomplish that with no visible hinges from the front would have required specialty hardware, similar to cabinet hardware, but super heavy duty. I just didn’t care about the hinge visibility enough to spend the time to figure it out. I may give it some more thought. It’s a fun problem to solve.
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! 👍
Awesome video. I love the application of static forces. You gotta be an engineer. Lol. What I've been seeing online did not make sense to me either. Just what I was looking for, however, I'll be using galvanized steel posts and board on board 6 ft tall fencing. What gap did you leave, if any, between your pickets?
I didn’t leave any gap between pickets because expected them to shrink over time as they dried out. Galvanized steel posts are going to be awesome. Thanks for the kind words. Good luck with your fence!
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.
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...
@Mike Yudenko Thanks! I've not had any issues with the fence or gate since it was built. Here's a quick update video from when it was about 14 months old. ruclips.net/video/80CLM2Hndwg/видео.html
@Daniel Ploy For a fence with a level top, it shouldn’t matter where you start the pickets, provided that your pickets are at least long enough to accommodate the lowest ground. Some slopes are too steep to have a level fence top and as such, require a different design or approach than I used.
Two simple fixes for post rot. 1 start at ground level and dome up to post ( dirt around post holds moisture). 2 a product called rot block wraps post at ground level with a tar paper material but way thicker.
So since you had to keep the over all fence 8ft tall with the trim and cap did you just get 8ft pickets and cut all of them down to the size needed? I am looking at doing the same size fence and not happy if that is what I have to do vs just using the full 8ft pickets and letting the fence go over 8ft by about 4-5 inches with the kicker board and top cap trim.
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?
@StudioLund The old posts without asphalt lasted 14 years or so before rotting at the bases, so it's going to be a long time before I know whether the asphalt will extend the life of the new posts. As of this writing, the fence is 20 months old and still looks relatively new with no signs of deterioration. I applied deck sealer to it right after I built it and then again at 12 months.
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 used a Kreg Jig to make pocket holes for screws to connect the rails to the posts. The pickets are 5 1/2" wide. Trim is 1x4 (actual 3/4 x 3 1/2) and the cap is 2x6 actual sitting on top of nominal 2x4. Kick board is 2x6 actual. Due to obstructions (tree and bushes etc) my gates each only open about 90 degrees. As a consequence, 45 degree miter cuts on the kicker and cap were overkill insofar as they don't even come close to rubbing. But if the obstructions were not present I can't say with certainty that 45-degree miter cuts would be enough to open each gate to a position parallel with the fence.
"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 RUclips. Awesome work!
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!
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.
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.
Thank you Sir!
Man, you did it right as humanly possible ! details, research, and overthinking is the way to go......
that cable trick for the 3/16th gap was genius!
Not overdone, it's just how it's supposed to be done. Great video, thank you.
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🍻
You sir have my subscription! Not overdone. Overdoing it is what the standard should be.
I was looking for this exact template online. It was living in my head and you my friend executed it perfectly
I found the best-in-one fence video eventually.
Thank you so much
This is probably the best gate that I’ve ever seen built on RUclips. Great attention to detail.
@Sam Arias. Much appreciated.
I like the 45* notches on the gate👌🏽
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!
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.
@12thDecember Thanks for the compliments! I could not agree with you more about the value of a mockup when making something for the first time. In my experience, two types of errors have the biggest impact on project quality. Planning and execution. A mockup can eliminate planning errors. I've been thinking about making a video demonstrating methods for reducing or eliminate planning and execution errors on almost any project.
I’ve been looking at my fence for a year wanting to put a double gate in , thanks for the video it sure helps
Excellent video, excellent design, excellent explanation. Well done. This guy must be an engineer.
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.
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!
Wow, thanks!
I also live in Houston! Outstanding video Brother! Peace and Love!
Outstanding work. My only constructive criticism would be in the size of posts used to harbor the gate. Over time, gravity and natural degradation, will cause that 3/16" gap to disappear. In my experience, using 4x6 for gate widths up to 5ft is recommended. Anything over 5ft would benefit from a 6x6 post. The amount of concrete in the post hole will also vary, depending on gate width. At minimum, 160lbs with a 10ft post is what I would have used. Other than that, this is a masterclass on gate building. You sir, are a craftsman
Your video made more sense than any others I have watched 👍 thanks
I completely agree.
Well done.
Louis, always the perfectionist. Well done sir.
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
This was the best video I’ve seen thus far. Great work!
Wow, thanks!
Love your video! Great job! Voice is not annoying and let's me finish til the end! New sub here!
You have given me a standard to set when building mine this coming spring.
I really liked your video. Very interesting and all the diagrams and digital samples. Amazing
“This is clear evidence, beyond any doubt, that I just waaay over did it” is my favorite part of the video lol
😂 Stay humble!
thank your for taking a ton of time to share your experience! best gate build I’ve seen. Paul from the MS coast.
Genuinely appreciated.
Your gates are fabulous sir. Good job !
Well done, thank you. Great detail, with a bit of a serial killer vibe. Just the right balance!
Awesome work! First video I see and I'm hooked! Great F-n for fantastic work!!
amazing video... been searching for days for one just like this... thank you!
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.
You are welcome!
wow man!!!! this is some top level video with all the details and all pretty amazing
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
This is high praise coming from a pro. Much appreciated. I checked out your website devine-fence.com/ Wide variety of great designs.
Sir you made it yourself screw everyone else scratching their head. You adapted and over came it.
Informative! Thanks for taking the time to share your project.
Great video, from another carpenter.
Whistle of approval
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.
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!
@7:03 you could measure the far end outside corners of your square. If both distances are the same you are squared.
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.
The brackets add cost but they will be a valuable gift to yourself or a new owner when it’s time to replace the posts.
Super great! Headed to the depot for my supplies and getting started. Thanks
Well done, that was a very helpful video.
Good job. Very well expanded. Fence looks great 👍👍
@Carl Peek Much appreciated.
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
Not over done at all. It just shows that everyone else just half assed it.
Worlds most beautiful fence & Gate.
@Peter Ebenezer "Worlds most beautiful fence & Gate" :) Hyperbole but appreciated nonetheless.
The world needs more people like you.
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.
Yeah you over did it. But it looks amazing. Great work
Thanks I have learnt a great deal from this video. Thanks
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 love your gate! Wish you could help me build mine! Ugh I’m going to try my best.
Good job man!!! Looks great!!!
Louis,Great job your fence looks wonderful I'm going to try to recreate one for myself.
@Victor Johnson Thanks. I put out an update video a while back and in the description I provide a retrospective if you have not seen it. ruclips.net/video/80CLM2Hndwg/видео.html. Good luck with your fence!
Great job....looks amazing 👍👍
Outstanding job. Thanx for sharing.
Researching my fence and gate project for 2020. Your info is so helpful!
I'm glad to hear this. Thanks for the feedback.
Very well thought out and planned.
Well done ✔ your precision and workmanship is inspirational 👏
@Heather Luna. Thank you!
Very helpful. Thanks 👍🏼
Hi Louis. Thanks for the detailed instructions. I finished my gates last week . Wants to share some pictures. But cannot upload here.
@Harin Keith I’d love to see your gate pics. You can email them to me at stormsdiy@gmail.com.
All I can say is good job
Yooo nice video love the way everything was explain on how the supports work Nd stuff! Thanks!!!
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!
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?
There's not been any sagging. If you send me an email I'll reply with current pictures. stormsdiy@gmail.com.
Way to Go in Way over Doing IT!!! Awesome Job!!!
Thanks so much!!
Good job dude. Very nice and great design work.
Thanks a bunch!
Amazing job! Old school quality for sure. Quick question. How did you account for growth/shrink of the wood depending on the seasons?
Thank you. I had the cedar for the gate frame lying around for years before I built the gate, so it was very dry. Haven't noticed it expanding or contracting at all. The pickets were all bought from HD and were wet. Used screws instead of nails in case I'd have to close the gaps later. It's been four years, and the gaps haven't become wide enough to compel me to do anything about it. Posts were also wet initially. If they have expanded or contracted, there's not been any noticeable expression.
That is a great video and a awesome looking gate!! great job
Thank you! Cheers!
I have ocd and I loved the video. Only 1 thing. Why did u not put the hinges on the inside. This would have made it look like any part of the fence and giving you that clean look.
I agree that it would be awesome if the hinges weren’t visible. I needed the gates to open outward from my backyard and to accomplish that with no visible hinges from the front would have required specialty hardware, similar to cabinet hardware, but super heavy duty. I just didn’t care about the hinge visibility enough to spend the time to figure it out. I may give it some more thought. It’s a fun problem to solve.
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! 👍
Cheryl Collins You are welcome and thank you!
Awesome video. I love the application of static forces. You gotta be an engineer. Lol. What I've been seeing online did not make sense to me either. Just what I was looking for, however, I'll be using galvanized steel posts and board on board 6 ft tall fencing. What gap did you leave, if any, between your pickets?
I didn’t leave any gap between pickets because expected them to shrink over time as they dried out. Galvanized steel posts are going to be awesome. Thanks for the kind words. Good luck with your fence!
This video was awesome thank u...
Great video great job very informative thank you
Very welcome
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.
Thanks 👍
Great video it was a lot of help as I am just building a gate
Thank you and I'm glad to hear it helped you.
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...
@Mike Yudenko Thanks! I've not had any issues with the fence or gate since it was built. Here's a quick update video from when it was about 14 months old. ruclips.net/video/80CLM2Hndwg/видео.html
Wow, what a great video! Thank you!
I want to see what Joe Everest thinks of this one. That is one hell of a fence and gate, built extremely well
Good job man
Really nice
Educational and impressive. Question if you don’t mind. Installing pickets should you start on higher or lower ground?
@Daniel Ploy For a fence with a level top, it shouldn’t matter where you start the pickets, provided that your pickets are at least long enough to accommodate the lowest ground. Some slopes are too steep to have a level fence top and as such, require a different design or approach than I used.
Wow what a video !!! Thanks man !!!
Glad you liked it!
Good work
Two simple fixes for post rot. 1 start at ground level and dome up to post ( dirt around post holds moisture). 2 a product called rot block wraps post at ground level with a tar paper material but way thicker.
Hadn’t heard of #1 before. Thanks.
Great job!!
Not sure if anyone talked about it but for the squarring carpenters use Pythagore theorem ( a2+b2=c2) then matching diagonals.
Love the video man, great job!
Appreciate it!
Very impressed.
So since you had to keep the over all fence 8ft tall with the trim and cap did you just get 8ft pickets and cut all of them down to the size needed? I am looking at doing the same size fence and not happy if that is what I have to do vs just using the full 8ft pickets and letting the fence go over 8ft by about 4-5 inches with the kicker board and top cap trim.
Yes I had to cut 8’ pickets down to size and wasn’t happy about it. I had code restrictions limiting my fence height to 8’.
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?
Thanks. I used Sketchup for my 3D models.
What kind of wood did u used ? Is look very professional.
@Ernesto flores Thank you. Everything except for the posts is western red cedar.
good job, its ok you take your time to get correect
Any update on how the asphalt worked? I'm looking at using this method.
@StudioLund The old posts without asphalt lasted 14 years or so before rotting at the bases, so it's going to be a long time before I know whether the asphalt will extend the life of the new posts. As of this writing, the fence is 20 months old and still looks relatively new with no signs of deterioration. I applied deck sealer to it right after I built it and then again at 12 months.
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 used a Kreg Jig to make pocket holes for screws to connect the rails to the posts. The pickets are 5 1/2" wide. Trim is 1x4 (actual 3/4 x 3 1/2) and the cap is 2x6 actual sitting on top of nominal 2x4. Kick board is 2x6 actual. Due to obstructions (tree and bushes etc) my gates each only open about 90 degrees. As a consequence, 45 degree miter cuts on the kicker and cap were overkill insofar as they don't even come close to rubbing. But if the obstructions were not present I can't say with certainty that 45-degree miter cuts would be enough to open each gate to a position parallel with the fence.