Wood Fences & Gates
Post Grades | Grade
| Description
|
 | Architect Clear® Intended for applications where the finest appearance is desired. Posts are manufactured to a strict standard which restricts all natural characteristics that may detract from the fine appearance. Grading Rule Paragraph |
 | Architect Knotty® Specified when knotty posts of the best quality are desired. The standard requires sound and tight knots, prohibits wane and holes, and limits heart centers. Other characteristics are limited so as not to detract from the appearance. Grading Rule Paragraph |
 | Custom Knotty® Combines good looks and budgetary value for the cost- conscious builder. The standard does not permit holes and limits heart centers. Wane and unsound knots are highly restricted. Grading Rule Paragraph |
 | Standard and Better Commonly used for general fence construction where structural characteristics are more important than appearance. This grade permits a range characteristics that meet the service requirements for fencing. Grading Rule Paragraph 4" (102mm) - NLGA 122 b,c
- WCLIB 122 b,c
- WWPA 40.11.12
6" (152mm) - NLGA 131 a,b,c
- WCLIB 131 a,b,c
|
NLGA National Lumber Grades Authority
WCLIB West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau
WWPA Western Wood Products Association
Rail Grades | Grade
| Description
|
 | D and Better Clear This grade consists of D Clear, C Clear, and B Clear. The C and Better Clear grade offers good appearance in high quality, well manufactured lumber suitable for fences of the finest appearance. D Clear grade permits larger and more numerous natural characteristics which are widely accepted in the construction of fences. Some pieces of D Clear may require trimming to yield clear lengths for the intended use. Available surfaced or rough textured. Grading Rule Paragraph 2" (51mm) and thinner, 3" (76mm) and wider - NLGA 202 b,c,d
- WCLIB 149, b,c,d
|
 | Appearance Knotty™ A non-structural product manufactured to meet the appearance requirements of quality fencing projects. This material has highly restricted wane allowances to give well-defined corners. Contains no holes or other characteristics. Represents good value for appearance end uses. Available rough sawn or rougher headed. Also available with structural grading. Grading Rule Paragraph |
 | Standard and Better Intended for general fencing purposes where serviceability is more important than appearance. Available rough sawn, rougher headed or S4S. Note: If surfaced four sides (S4S) fence rails are desired, you may also consider specifying WRCLA Decking Product Standards Architect Clear, Custom Clear, Architect Knotty or Custom Knotty. Grading Rule Paragraph - NLGA 122 b,c
- WCLIB 122 b,c
- WWPA 40.11
|
NLGA National Lumber Grades Authority
WCLIB West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau
WWPA Western Wood Products Association
Board Grades | Grade
| Description
|
 | Architect Clear® The finest appearance fence boards for the quality conscious builder. Made to the highest standards, these boards are virtually free of characteristics which may detract from their appearance. Available rough sawn or S1S2E. Grading Rule Paragraph |
| Appearance Knotty™ This product, containing only sound and tight knots on both faces, ensures a good appearance from either side. High manufacturing standards assure uniform sizing. No through characteristics from any source are allowed in the grade. Available rough sawn or S1S2E. Grading Rule Paragraph |
| | Custom Knotty® This no-hole product is intended for the value-conscious builder. Characteristics are limited to provide good appearance and long term service in fencing applications. Available rough or S1S2E. Grading Rule Paragraph |
Sizes
The most common sizes of fence posts are 4"x4" and 6"x6" either rough sawn or dressed (see below).
Fence Posts | Thickness and Width |
| Nominal (inches) | Nominal (mm) | Rough (inches) | Rough (mm) | Dressed (inches) | Dressed (mm) |
| 4 | 102 | 3-3/4 | 101 | 3-9/16 | 90 |
| 6 | 152 | 5-3/4 | 146 | 5-1/2 | 140 |
The most common sizes of cedar fence rails are 2"x4" and 2"x6" (See below).
Fence Rails | Thickness and Width |
| Nominal (inches) | Nominal (mm) | Rough (inches) | Rough (mm) | Dressed (inches) | Dressed (mm) |
| 2 | 51 | 1-3/4 | 44 | 1-9/16 | 40 |
| 4 | 102 | 3-3/4 | 101 | 3-9/16 | 90 |
| 6 | 152 | 5-3/4 | 146 | 5-1/2 | 140 |
Fence Board Specifications
You have a wide selection of Western Red Cedar fence boards to choose from. There are Clear and Knotty grades with smooth or rough textured surfaces and a range of plain or patterned top boards. These products meet the quality specifications of published grading rules or the product standards of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association.
The association's standards have been developed to meet consumer's expectations for products of structural integrity and appearance appropriate to the product's end use.
If preferred, you can purchase pre-cut patterned fence boards with round, pointed, dog-eared, spearhead or gothic tops; latticework panels; and pre-assembled solid and lattice-work fencing sections from most building supply dealers.
Surface Textures
Fence Posts
Western Red Cedar posts are available in Clear and Knotty product standards. Clear posts have a limited number of natural characteristics and should be specified when you want fence posts of the finest appearance. For a more casual, rustic fence, specify Knotty posts. The different surface textures of the wood are summarized following:
Saw Textured
The saw textured surface, obtained during the milling process which uses either circular or band saws, is present on all four sides.
Rougher Headed
The lumber receives its texture from a milling process which uses roughened planer knives. The rough texture is clearly visible on all four sides.
Surfaced Four Sides (S4S)
The smooth surface on all four sides presents a uniformly sized product with a high quality appearance.
Fence Rails
Western Red Cedar lumber for fence rails is available in a range of sizes in Clear and Knotty product standards or grades. You also have a choice or rough or surfaced textures. The different surface textures of the wood are summarized following:
Saw Textured
The textured surface, obtained during the milling process which uses either circular or band saws, present on all four sides.
Rougher Headed
The lumber receives its texture from a milling process which uses roughened planer knives. The rough texture is clearly visible on all four sides.
Surfaced Four Sides (S4S)
The smooth surface on all four sides presents a uniformly sized product with a high quality appearance. If you want surfaced four sides (S4S) fence rails, you may also consider specifying WRCLA Decking Product Standards Architect Clear, Custom Clear, Architect Knotty or Custom Knotty.
Fence Boards
Surfaced Four Sides (S4S)
The smooth surface on all four sides presents a uniformly sized product with a high quality appearance. It should be specified when you want an elegant fence with smooth surfaces and construction elements of symmetrical proportions.
Surfaced One Side, Two Edges (S1S2E)
This popular product lets you build a fence with either the rough sawn or surfaced face exposed to your view. The surfacing process provides uniform width and thickness tolerances.
Rough Sawn/Rougher Headed
The lumber receives its texture from a milling process which uses either circular or band saws or roughened planer knives. The rough texture is clearly visible on all four sides. Rough lumber would be your best choice for a rustic style fence.
Fasteners
Hot-dipped galvanized, aluminum and stainless steel fasteners are all corrosion-resistant and can be used to fasten Western Red Cedar. Other types of nails are not recommended because they can rust and disintegrate and react adversely with the natural preservative oils present in cedar resulting in unsightly stains and streaks. Copper nails also react with cedar and should not be used. Stainless steel nails are your best choice, especially if you intend to finish the wood with transparent or semi-transparent stain. Use No. 304 stainless steel for general applications and No. 316 for seacoast exposure.
Large fences and some gates may require timber connectors other than nails. Bolts, lag screws and custom-made hard-ware are sometimes used in fences, gates and landscape structures where the joint's strength must be greater than that which could be achieved with nails. These types of connectors should be corrosion-resistant or painted to prevent corrosion.
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