Surface Textures

How To Specify Western Red Cedar 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 illustrations of Clear and Knotty posts on page 11 show the typical appearance of the wood. 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.

Open latticework and pyramidal finials adds character to an otherwise simple fence. Board-and-batten fence with geometrically shaped infill panels.

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. To help in your selection, typical grade descriptions and illustrations of fence rails are shown on page 13. 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 (see WRCLA publication Specifying Cedar Decking for details).

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.