Mark needs even more advice

[Mrs. Wallnut]

Mark would like to get everyones opinion on if he should use narrower pickets (gate will be about 52") and have a lighter gate or if he should use the wider pickets.


Instead of 8 roughly 5 1/2" boards with 1" in between or if he should go with roughly 3 1/2 inch boards with a spacing of about 2 5/8". And would use 25 percent less lumber the second way. Would the two gates last the same or which one would be sturdier last longer.

[footprintsinconc]

i would go with the 8 pieces. if the doors are built with the diagonal brace placed correctly, then you shouldn't have a problem.

[cabinetman]

The narrower pickets would be less likely to split or crack than the wider ones. Wood experiences transitional movement (across the grain), not much longitudinally (along the long grain).
.

[pelligrini]

Wouldn't the wider boards act more like a shear panel than a narrower one if fastened with more than a single fastener?

[LarryG]

I think durability and strength will be more a matter of materials selection and fastening methods than it will picket width. That said, I had the same thought as pelligrini. Omar, being a structural engineer, may want to comment on that point.

A 2-5/8" gap might allow some cats to get through, and certainly smaller animals, if that's a consideration.

[Black wallnut]

I think durability and strength will be more a matter of materials selection and fastening methods than it will picket width. That said, I had the same thought as pelligrini. Omar, being a structural engineer, may want to comment on that point.

A 2-5/8" gap might allow some cats to get through, and certainly smaller animals, if that's a consideration.

Thanks for all the answers so far! The gates are made from nominal 4/4 cedar s1s, which works out to about 5/8" and at each junction between two boards I am using exterior #8 screws that go almost all the way through both boards. I'm finishing each gate with a premium exterior deck stain. I will be using 5" or 6" T-hinges to hold the gate and a latch like this for the other side, although not of this brand.

The potential difference in picket configuaration is 9 boards 3.5" wide with a larger gap compared to 8 boards with only a 1" gap, thus allowing me to use 4' less wood or a net reduction in the weight of the gate by about 20%. Still using two screws at each junction I'm thinking that rigidity might actually be more since there will be more fasteners, but then again the fasteners are spaced closer together so maybe not.

As far as cats and other critters being able to enter through the gate that is not a big deal. My fence is field wire and as such has 6" or there abouts wide openings with the horzontal size increasing from 2" at the bottom to near 6" at the top. (I've also heard this type of fencing called hog wire or sheep wire.) Any critter's that find their way into my yard will meet my big chocolate male un-cut Lab. I doubt they will remain for long.

[JimD]

I agree with Cabinetman, especially with the clarification that you are not trying to filter out little creatures. Wider wood moves more. It cups, splits because you tried to fasten it down and it expanded when it got wet, etc..

Jim

[crokett]

The narrow pickets will move less. More screws will help with the stiffness but you can also back that up with construction adhesive. Those plus screws and the gate will never move.

[big tim]

Narrow pickets, I think, will also look nicer!

Tim

[Black wallnut]

Thanks guys! Both gates are now built. All I have to do is finish staining them add the hardware and then hang them. Pictures of this latest project coming soon to the Home Improvement forum. I also have 4 more 4"x4" posts to place and a few T-posts. Then run the rest of the fencing, staple or clip it to the posts. Also have to finish the large gates; they will be rustic like barb wire gates. Split rail and ring type.