Fence Post Caps Size Guide
What’s the difference between nominal, standard, full and actual?
Fence post cap sizes can be confusing. So far this year
approximately half of our customers have called asking “what’s the
difference between a nominal size and an actual or full size?”
In USA, a nominal size, such as a Nominal 4×4 is just a name. You may
be surprised to learn that it is not actually a 4 inch square cap nor
your fence post a full 4 inches square. Many lumber yards cut the
posts to be a little under 4 inches, sometimes as small as 3.5 inches
although we have found much variance across the country.
Example
Nominal 4×4 - Actual Size 3.5 inches
Full 4×4 - Actual Size 4 inches
Nominal 6×6 - Actual size 5.5 inches
Nominal 4×6 - Actual size 3.5 x 5.5
Why the difference?
Years ago, a 4×4 did indeed measure a full 4 inches. Over time,
builders & engineers realized that they could get just as much
strength from a slightly smaller piece of wood.
Untreated cedar posts may still run at a full 4 inches square, but treated posts can vary from 3 3/8 to 3 3/4 inches depending on the lumbar yard. This is variable all over the country.
How to avoid buying the wrong size fence post cap
I recommend measuring your fence posts before you buy your caps.
Take a random sample of your posts and meausure with a ruler or tape
that shows 1/8 inch. If your post measures 3.5 inches, you want a
nominal 4×4 cap.
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