Building a fence gate seems easy until you’ve had one for a couple of years and it starts sagging. Suddenly the latch doesn’t line up, the gate drags on the ground, and you find yourself lifting it with your foot every time you want to open it. That’s why in this video, I’m showing you how to build a wood gate that won’t sag. I’ll walk you through my full build process, explain why the diagonal brace matters so much, and share some details you might not have thought about—like using longer screws, picking the right hinges, and even hiding the latch for a cleaner look. What You’ll Learn in This Video • How to measure and size your gate frame so it fits without binding • Why a diagonal brace is the key to stopping sagging • The difference between half-lap joints, brackets, and other frame connections • Choosing between exposed strap hinges and side-mounted hinges • How to hide your gate latch for a clean finish Most DIY gates fail because of one simple thing: the brace. Without the right diagonal brace, the weight of the gate pulls down over time, twisting the frame. I use what I call the “Hangman trick”—brace from the bottom hinge up to the opposite corner. That way the brace is always in compression, holding the frame square.