Con common or con redwood for fence
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: USA
Posts: 4
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Con common or con redwood for fence
My fence contractor has given me the option of of 1x8x5 Con Common or 1x6x5 Con Heart boards for a side fence we are building that will face the street (we live on a corner.) The fence will be 6 feet tall. Are there any drawbacks to either one these wood or sizes? Thanks.
#2
Member
Both are suitable for a fence. The construction heart grade will have fewer and smaller knots, and will be a little more insect and decay resistant due to lack of sapwood that is present in construction common grade. That also gives it a little more uniformity of color initially. Color uniformity is usually not too big a deal for a fence; if it is stained it will even it out, and if it is left natural, it will weather to a consistent shade within a year or so. The construction heart will also be a little more dimensionally stable which is not so important for a fence, but may help minimize cupping somewhat, and the narrower boards helps with that also.
I'd be inclined to choose the heart grade if the fence is in a high visibility area and will be a focal point. If it's just functional as a privacy fence, I think you'll be fine with the common grade. Depends on what's important to you and the price premium for the heart grade.
I'd be inclined to choose the heart grade if the fence is in a high visibility area and will be a focal point. If it's just functional as a privacy fence, I think you'll be fine with the common grade. Depends on what's important to you and the price premium for the heart grade.
#4
Member
As I said, the narrower boards will tend to cup less than wider boards. Other than that there is not much difference. It will give the fence a slightly different look....