When designing a wooden fence, either by yourself or with a contractor, be aware there are different options in fence pickets. Not only in the type of wood used, but also the appearance and the thickness of the picket. This post will help inform you of the picket options in southern yellow pine, the most common wood used in this area. The picture above shows the different styles of picket we offer.

When it comes to the width of a picket, there are two common choices: a 6″ wide picket or a 4″ wide picket. 6″ wide pickets are commonly used in fences 5′ tall and over, either stockade style, spaced, shadow box, and board on board. The wider picket gives the fence an appearance of strength and matches the height. A 4″ wide picket is commonly used in 4′ tall fencing and under. The picket again matches the height of the fence better and doesn’t have the fence look short and wide.

Most fence companies use a 1×6x6 picket on 5′ tall and over fences. This is when it gets tricky! A 1×6x6 picket comes in three thicknesses. The thicknesses are 5/8″, 3/4″, and 1″. They are all referred to as 1×6x6 pickets. Most 5/8′ pickets are rough sawn. They have a rough texture and a rugged look. The pickets are budget friendly and come in bright and traditional pressure treated lumber. They do tend to warp and split more easily due to their thickness. A 3/4″ picket is an upgraded picket. Not only is it thicker, but also has a smooth finish known as appearance grade. This picket also comes in bright and traditional pressure treated lumber. Although slightly more expensive, this picket has a more finished look and tends not to split or warp as much as the 5/8″ picket. A 1″ picket, also known as 5/4″ or deck board, is getting more popular. This picket is a true 1″ thick and is very hearty. The texture is smooth, but not considered appearance grade. The edges of the board are slightly rounded. This is the same material decks are build with. The biggest down fall with this material is weight. Deck board is heavy and gates may be more prone to sagging.

When comparing estimates from different fence companies, be sure you are comparing apples to apples! Ask what are the true measurements of the pickets. Low estimates may be using a 5/8″ picket and high estimates may include an upgraded picket. There is no problem with requesting a certain picket due to the look or to fit your budget!

Keith R. Bloemendaal