Category Archives: Fences

Fences made from Western Red Cedar, as well as Hardwoods including Mahogany, and much more to inspire you

Western Red Cedar Grape Stake Fencing

Because of the natural decay resistance in Western Red Cedar and its abundance, early vineyards used “grape stakes” to support their growing grapevines. Made from hand spitting pieces off of Western Red Cedar or Redwood blocks 4 to 6 feet in length, the stakes were used as posts between wires and held up exceptionally well to moisture, insects, and other elements.

Due to changes in the way grapes are grown and harvested in today’s vineyards, other methods of supporting the grapevines are more commonly used. However, grape stakes are still manufactured in Western Red Cedar and are used as pickets for fences when a natural, rustic look is desired.

Western Red Cedar Grape Stake Fencing

Hand split from blocks of recovered Western Red Cedar from down sources on Mount Rainier, each piece is uniquely beautiful and averages between 1-1/2″ to 3-1/2″ wide and 6′ in length.  However, since our Cedar Grape Stakes are split per order, we can produce custom lengths and, in some cases, widths.

 

Nailed or screwed to horizontal rails of either Western Red Cedar or pressure treated materials, the result is a beautiful, extremely sturdy fence that gives an old-world feel. Because of the natural preservatives in Western Red Cedar, we recommend using corrosion-resistant fasteners, such as stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized, to secure the grape stakes to the posts and/or supporting fence rails.

Western Red Cedar Grapestake Fence

Your beautiful new Western Red Cedar Grape Stake Fence can be left to weather to a stunning grey or stained to maintain the natural, varied reddish-brown color Western Red Cedar is prized for.  We recommend using a good quality penetrating oil, such as Penofin Red Label, that contains UV protection and mold and mildew inhibitors if you wish to keep the natural Cedar color.

Western Red Cedar Grape Stake Fencing is perfect for when a rustic look is desired

Before Your Next Project, Be Sure to Visit Us!

We Ship Nationwide!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

 ph 360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

 

Our hand split Western Red Cedar grape stakes are made from recovered sources on Mount Rainier

Golden Balau Hardwood Decking

Sourced only from countries that are leaders in ecological, sustainable forestry practices, our Golden Balau Hardwood Decking is a dense, exotic hardwood known for its strength and durability. Similar to Teak in color, this 5/4×6″ decking will perform admirably for years, even in wet climates.  One of the hardest, strongest, and most durable of all woods, our Golden Balau Hardwood Decking is highly resistant to decay, insect and mold.

  • Warm, gold-reddish-brown hues
  • Class A Flame Spread Rating (same as concrete and steel)
  • Similar to lpe in density, strength, and durability
  • Proven performer for decades in demanding applications, including commercial, high traffic areas, as well as in extreme climates
  • Excellent value compared to similar hardwoods and composites
  • It can be as low maintenance as you desire, with no ill effects to its longevity or durability
  • Naturally resistant to rot, decay, insects, and mold
  • Sustainably harvested from well-managed forests
  • 100% Clear Grade and kiln-dried
  • 25 Year Limited Warranty
  • In stock and ready to deliver!

Golden Balau Hardwood Decking used as vertical fencing

If desired, you may simply allow your Golden Balau Hardwood Decking to weather to a lovely grey patina with no ill effects after installation.  And, if you change your mind, you can always clean it and oil it to bring back the wood’s naturally rich hues and warmth.

Should you wish to keep the beautiful range of colors from day one, we recommend finishing the Golden Balau Hardwood Decking with a penetrating oil specifically formulated for use on hardwoods, such as Penofin Hardwood exterior. This unique formula penetrates deep into the wood fibers and does not create a surface film. This allows the wood to breathe, as well as stabilize it.

We recommend coating all four sides before installation.  To maintain the colors, re-stain your deck’s surface with a hardwood decking oil approximately every 6-12 months, depending on your climate conditions.

Golden Balau Hardwood Decking Performs well in even extreme climates

 All this at pricing similar to clear-grade softwoods and composite decking!

Because all-natural wood is subject to expansion and contraction as the moisture in the environment changes, shrinkage, expansion, checking, and other movement are normal occurrences.  For help with installation, as well as care and maintenance, please refer to our Red Balau “Mahogany” decking blog by clicking HERE.

Golden Balau Decking is extremely durable

Before Your Next Project, Be Sure to Visit Us!

We Ship Nationwide!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

Toll-Free 866.757.6343

Western Red Cedar Fence Board Grades

Day after day, we receive inquiries for the price of fence boards. Unlike traditional lumber yards and box home improvement stores, when a call like that is received at our shop, our staff provides a price for a Western Red Cedar fence board as well as the grade. In many cases, the person who is inquiring about the price does not have a clear understanding of what the grading means and may compare pricing of products from various sources that are not equal.

Imagine calling around to different restaurants and asking for the price of “cheeseburger”.  While it is called the same thing at a fast-food restaurant, as well as at a nice family restaurant, the “cheeseburger” at each location will be of different quality, and the pricing would reflect that. You would not purchase a cheeseburger based solely on price while not taking into consideration the quality, so therefore, you should not select a fence board based strictly on price either.

While there is no regulation or standards for “cheeseburgers”, there are established standards for fence boards that have been developed by the National Lumber Grades Authority, as well as the West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau. It is important to note that “fence grade” is below knotty or clear grades of Western Red Cedar and should not be compared to the quality or held at the same standard as lumber in those grades.

The West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau divides Western Red Cedar Fence 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

1

Quality “No Hole” Western Red Cedar Fencing

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 may be 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

This is a great example of our No. 2 Select “No Hole” Fencing, which is the standard fence board we supply unless otherwise specified. This particular fence is made from 3/4″ net thick material that the customer made a custom, decorative top cut to.

This is a great example of our No. 2 Select “No Hole” Fencing, which is the standard fence board we supply unless otherwise specified. This particular fence is made from 3/4″ net thick material that the customer made a custom, decorative top cut to.

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″

We do not generally carry any No. 3 fencing or any fencing that allows for holes. On the off chance we have some, or order this product in for a particular order, we do not allow returns or exchanges on ANY No. 3 fencing, as the pricing reflects the quality of the material of the whole order.

no 3 fencing

No. 3 Western Red Cedar Fence Boards

GLOSSARY as provided by The West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau
Shake – A lengthwise separation of the wood that occurs between or through the annual growth rings

  • “Light” or “Fine” Shake is not over 1/32″ wide
  • “Medium” Shake is not over 1/8″ wide
  • “Surface” Shake occurs on only one surface of the piece
  • Shake should not be confused with bark seams

Split – A separation of the wood through the piece of the opposite surface or to an adjoining surface due to the tearing apart of the wood cells.

  • “Very Short” is equal in length to 1/2 of the width of the piece
  • “Short” is equal in length to the width of the piece and does not exceed 1/6 the length
  • “Medium” is equal in length to twice the width of the piece and does not exceed 1/6 the length
  • “Long” is longer than a medium

Skips – Occurs during milling when the board is too thin in an area to reach the planer blades, thus resulting in a rough spot

Wane – Bark or lack of wood from any cause, except eased edges, on the edge or corner of a piece of lumber

Before your next project, be sure to visit us!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

We Ship Nationwide!

360.757.643