As a fencing and decking contractor, I’m asked to build a lot of gates. Instead of using the typical diagonal bracing, I place 2×4 blocks with mitered ends at each corner of the gate-frame (see drawing). There are two reasons for this: the 45° angles on the ends of the blocks ensure a square frame; and they provide good anchorage for the strap hinges that I use.
Rick Fagnani, Alameda, CA
