FENCE PICKET QUALITY STANDARDS

Based on the West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau

The West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau (WCLIB) divides Western Red Cedar fence pickets (boards) into three basic categories.  Any grade may be rough or surfaced, air dried, kiln dried or green.  Grade is determined by the best face.

No. 1 Fencing “Select”

• Checks and pinholes are not limited
• Shakes are “fine”
• Skips are “hit and miss”, splits are “short”
• Knots are sound and tight
• Spike knots can be approximately 1/2 face width or equivalent
• Tolerance of 1/16″ over or under in thickness, width may vary along the piece of 1/8″, but not to exceed 20% of the pieces.

No. 2 Fencing “Quality”

• Checks and pinholes are not limited
• Shakes are “fine”
• Skips are “hit and miss”, splits are “medium”
• Wane can be 1/2 thickness as well as 1/3 width
• There can be small spots or streaks of unsound wood
• White speck not limited
• There maybe some knots that are not firmly fixed or are unsound but may not exceed 1/3 the width of the board
• Spike knots can be 3/4 of the face width
• Maximum 1″ holes with 4 per foot allowed, unless “No Hole” is specified
• Same tolerance of thickness and width as Select Fencing

No. 3 Fencing “Rustic”

• Lumber of this grade is suitable for low grade and permits all characteristics which do not interfere with the use of the piece
• Thickness can be 3/16″ over or under invoiced thickness
• Edge skips can not exceed 1/4″
• Variation on width should not exceed 1/2″

Source – West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau (wclib.org)