There is nothing that compares to the old-fashioned look, smell and feel of wood. Unlike other factory-made alternatives however wood is a natural product and has natural limitations including cracking, splitting, warping and rotting that are beyond our control. Just as different homes and budgets require different styles, they also require different lumber grades. Our lumber grading refers to our own visual based grading system. The inspection criteria include knotholes, bark, eased (missing) edges, warping, cupping, cracking and colour. This inspection and grading refers to "at time of delivery" and all sizes listed are nominal. |
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| Select Grade Western Red Cedar |
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All of our wood fence and deck styles are designed to be built with Western Red Cedar, a species perfectly suited to outdoor use. Western Red Cedar is naturally durable and has a richness of grain, colour and texture that compliments any architectural style. For those who really want to make a statement, our exquisite craftsmanship and unique designs are best presented with Select Grade Cedar. The natural warmth and beauty of the Select Grade best captures the true essence of all backyard dreams.
Select Grade Cedar is available at a 30% Surcharge to the #1 Western Red Cedar "Materials Only" List Prices. |
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There should be no knot holes. |
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The lumber is not sold as clear, and may in fact have many knots, but knots must not be larger in diameter than 1/3 the width of the piece. |
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There should be no bark or eased edges. |
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Warping, cupping or cracking, although tolerated to a very small extent, should not be obvious once the piece is set into place for it's intended use. |
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| #1 Grade Western Red Cedar |
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By far the most popular choice year after year, our #1 Western Red Cedar promotes beauty in every wood design imaginable. Free of sap, #1 Western Red Cedar accepts stain easily, and it's exceptional stability means less cracking, splitting, warping and twisting - important considerations for the homeowner who considers long lasting good appearance important. All of our wood designs are priced with #1 Western Red Cedar. |
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There may be small knot holes (less than 1/2" diameter) but sound knots must not be larger in diameter than 1/2 the width of the piece. |
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Bark is not permitted and eased edges should not run for more than 1/3 the length of any piece. |
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No warping, cupping or cracking should be obvious from 10' away - once the piece is set into place for it's intended use. |
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| #2 Grade Cedar |
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Particularly popular with homeowners who are planning to apply a solid stain or are not going to apply a finish to the completed project, #2 Grade Lumber offers great value.
#2 Grade Cedar offers the same level of strength and privacy that would be enjoyed with our #1 Grade or our Select Grade but the finish is slightly rougher. This well established and less expensive alternative is ideal for homeowners purchasing a very large run of fence, or for homeowners purchasing a simple Traditional Privacy Fence.
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| Pressure Treated Lumber |
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For those people working with a tighter budget, or for applications where privacy is more important than aesthetics, a popular alternative is Pressure Treated Lumber.
PT is NOT offered as a Select or #1 Grade--the purchaser should expect #2 Grade or lower. |
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PT is not graded for colour - in fact, because of the gummy sap and the wide variety of characteristics that may be inherent to the different types of wood that are used, customers should be aware that colour is inconsistent. |
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Knot holes should be limited to no more than 3 holes on any piece (maximum 1.5" diameter) and bark, eased edges, warping, cupping and cracking should all be expected.
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*Note Regarding Colour of Western Red Cedar: |
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For Posts we only select the heartwood of coastal cedar (darker coloured wood from the centre of the trees) for it's stronger protection against rot. |
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For the rest of the dimensions we try to choose interior cedar (lighter coloured cedar) for it's smaller, tighter knots. |
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