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Anatomy of the Cedar Fence

After 25+ years of specialized fence building experience Fence and Deck Supply realizes that we have a tendency to speak almost a foreign language to customer exploring various fence styles and products.  So in an effort to improve communication with our customers please allow us to clarify each individual piece and part of a typical fence as we reference them.

Post: This is the vertical piece of lumber that is cemented in the ground

Box Post: a hollow wood post constructed out of 2x material typically used to sleeve over chain link posts.  (These posts have seams running the length of the posts )

Post Top: the upper end of a post often cut for decorative purposes (depending on the style)

Post Cap: a separate decorative piece that slips over the upper end of the post

Rail: a horizontal structural member typically a 2x material (1.5” thick).  Rails are connected to the posts and slats are nailed to the rails.

Mid-Rail:  also called center rail is placed as suggested by the name  horizontally in the center, middle or any location between the top and bottom rail.  These horizontal rails are typically the same thickness and use the same connection method as other rails.

Fascia:  a piece of 1x material typically applied to match the aesthetics of the opposite side of the fence for certain neighbor friendly styles.  While Fascia pieces are not as thick as rails, they are typically the same width as a 2x rail on the opposite side of the fence.   Use of Fascia pieces allows for fencing that looks the same on both sides but is more cost effective.

Top Cap: This is a piece of lumber that sits flat on top of the fence, typically a piece of 2x material.

Slats/Pickets: this is a piece of lumber attached to the rails typically running vertical.  While ¾” and 7/8” thick material is available, most slats are 5/8” thick, are 6’ long, and 3 ½” wide or 5 ½” wide

Butted Slats:  a method of installing slats edge to edge (as the lumber dries space between slats naturally appears)

Overlapped Slats: a method of installing slats in a double layer where the edge of one slat overlaps the edge of another slat, some refer to this as a board on board style.

Section: this is the portion of fence between posts, also called a Fence Panel

Fence Line: this is a run of fence between two points

Lattice Top: a fence style with a window at the top portion of the fence section that contains thinner material that over laps in a square or diamond pattern

Spindle Top: a fence style with a window at the top portion of the fence section that contains only vertical pieces.

Footing: concrete encapsulating a post extending into the ground (below grade)

Fence Bracket: (Not typically used by Fence and Deck Supply, unless requested prior to installation) usually a Simpson brand FB24.  This is a bracket made of sheet metal bent to receive 2x rails and attach to a post.

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Trex Fencing Wind Load Testing

When Trex Seclusions® wood composite fencing was first brought into production in 2005, Trex® wanted to make sure that they had a more superior product to the common dog-eared composite fences that were being manufactured. In March of 2009, the Trex Company sent their fence product to York, PA to have it tested for its Miami-Dade wind load capacity.

The setup included a steel fixture to simulate an embedded rigid post. The bottom rail was a standard 2” from the ground. The panels tested were 6’ high by 8’ wide and the posts are 5” x 5”. The fence was assembled by the testing company Architectural Testing at their York, PA campus.

In the test, wind speeds started out at 75mph for 50 seconds, then reduced to zero for one minutes to check for recovery. Recovery is the distance the panel, pickets, posts, and rails move from having the wind blowing against it, to when the wind ceases. Winds speeds were then increased to 110mph for 35 seconds, then reduced to zero for one minute to determine recovery.

In the observations, there was neither separation of fence components nor any visible damage. The Trex Seclusions® fence withstood a maximum sustained wind of 110mph, which is equivalent to a “three-second gust” wind speed of 126mph.

In a separate test, the posts were used to see what kind of support the post could withstand. One end of the post was securely anchored to a horizontal test frame. The load was set 38” from the end of the post frame. The post was then loaded with weights until the post failed. The final load the post could withstand was an astonishing 1737lbs.

Trex is a very rigid and durable fence; one that will outlast the tests of time… and wind. You can learn more at www.trexfencing.com or call Fence and Deck Supply at 1-877-700-8739.

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Trex Fencing Creep Testing

When Trex Seclusions® wood composite fencing was first brought into production in 2005, Trex® wanted to make sure that they had a more superior product to the common dog-eared composite fences that were being manufactured. Between the months of March and June of 2006, the Trex Company sent their fence product to York, PA to have it tested for its “Creep Test”. In a creep test, a product is tested at a specific temperature for a specific length of time. There is also a specific amount of weight added to the product. With these three specifics in place, the product is viewed and any movement in the product, i.e. sag or warping, is recorded.

The two Trex® panels that were tested were both 6’ high by 8’wide Trex Seclusions wood composite fence panels. They were enclosed by an insulated box designed for high temperature conditions. The testing facility added windows to be able to view the dial indicators installed on both the top and bottom rails. The fence panels were then loaded with 100lbs attached to the middle of the rails. Any movements in the fence rails were then recorded.

Once the temperature reached its target of 125°F ± 5°F, the measurements were recorded. The testing lasted for a period of 90 days at the same temperature with the same amount of weight on it. The results were staggering. Most consumers in heat driven areas of the country (like Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and California) know that composite does not do well in high temperatures for long periods of time.

The final test specifics were: actual weight hung from panel – 103.54lbs and steady state temperature – 124.4°F. The top rail in this test only moved a minimal 0.0158 inches and the bottom rail moved a minimal 0.039 inches.

Other composite fences in this test would have sagged or warped in temperatures of 125° for 90 days. Also, with the added weight of 100lbs, one would assume that there would be more movement than what was witnessed. So, the next time you replace your fence and think that you have to settle for a cement, wood, or masonry fence, give CFC Distributors a call at 1-877-700-8739.

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Trex Composite Fence Sound Test

When Trex Seclusions® wood composite fencing was first brought into production in 2005, Trex® wanted to make sure that they had a more superior product to the common dog-eared composite fences that were being manufactured. In December 2006, the Trex Company sent their fence product to York, PA to have it tested for its sound barrier quality. In a sound barrier test, the product is placed inside well insulated walls using three layers of 5/8” gypsum board. The wall cavities are filled with R-13 fiberglass insulation. The perimeter and seams get sealed with acoustical sealant.

A total of five microphones are used and tested before placement behind the fence panel. After the fence panel is in place, the microphones are strategically placed behind the fence panel to catch sound from one end of the panel to the other. Because air temperature and relative humidity affect sound, those tests were also performed and monitored during sound testing.

The test company used a hertz range from 80 on the low end up to 5000 on the high end. By using a wide range of frequencies, this assists in the testing accuracy of its final score. Trex Seclusions® wood composite fencing can block up to 95% of direct sound.

Knowing this, the state of Utah and the Department of Transportation installed over 17,000 linear feet of Trex Seclusions® along a light rail project. In most areas the fencing is 12’ tall. Try doing that with any other wood composite fence product on the market today. In Florida, they are in the works to get Trex Seclusions® approved for their light rail project. In Colorado, there is a 40 mile project going on to fence the perimeter of an HOA. No matter your application, keep the noise out and install Trex Seclusions® wood composite fencing. Call Fence and Deck Supply s at 1-877-700-8739.

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