Clear vertical grain cedar is a premium appearance-grade material selected for its straight, consistent grain and clean face. But "clear" and "vertical grain" describe different parts of the specification, and confusing them can lead to the wrong material on a siding, paneling, or millwork package. This guide explains the distinction, how CVG cedar is graded, and what to put in an order. For broader material planning, see the Engineered Cedar Siding, Lumber, and Specialty Cedar Products Buyer Resource Center.
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What Is Clear Vertical Grain Cedar and Why Does the Grade Matter?
Clear vertical grain cedar is cedar lumber with a relatively uniform, edge-grain orientation and few appearance-limiting characteristics on the graded face. In Western Red Cedar, the recognized Clear V.G. Heart grade is kiln-dried, sawn vertical grain, and made from decay-resistant heartwood with excellent appearance. It is specified when grain consistency, finish quality, and a refined exposed surface matter as much as the wood species itself.
The term combines two decisions:
- Clear describes the permitted knots, checks, skips, stains, torn grain, warp, and other characteristics. It is primarily an appearance decision.
- Vertical grain, also called edge grain in many grading references, describes how the growth rings run through the board. It is a grain-orientation decision.
These terms are related but not interchangeable. A board can be clear without being vertical grain, and a vertical-grain board still needs a stated appearance grade. The Real Cedar grading guide identifies Clear V.G. Heart as the highest bevel siding grade and notes its straight-grain construction, kiln-dried condition, dimensional stability, and ability to hold finishes well. Always confirm the exact grade rule, product type, and grading agency rather than treating "clear cedar" as a universal product name.
How Does Clear Vertical Grain Cedar Differ from Flat Grain Cedar?
Clear vertical grain cedar has growth rings that generally approach the face at a high angle, while flat-grain cedar has rings that run more nearly parallel to the broad face. The difference is visible in the board's pattern and can affect how the piece responds to moisture, machining, and finishing. Neither orientation removes natural wood movement, so acclimation, drainage, fastening, and finish selection still control long-term performance.
| Specification factor | Clear vertical grain cedar | Flat grain cedar |
|---|---|---|
| Grain orientation | Growth rings generally approach the face more directly, producing an edge-grain appearance. | Growth rings run more nearly parallel to the wide face and produce a flatter visual pattern. |
| Visual character | More consistent, linear grain with limited natural markings when the appearance grade is clear. | May show broader cathedral patterns and more variation across the face. |
| Typical reason to choose it | Uniform exposed surfaces, premium trim, paneling, and carefully controlled finish work. | Projects where the appearance, budget, or available profile makes mixed or flat grain acceptable. |
| What it does not guarantee | It does not guarantee structural capacity, zero movement, or a maintenance-free exterior. | It does not automatically mean poor performance when the material is correctly graded and installed. |
For a siding or millwork package, the face that will be seen is the key. Ask whether the grade is evaluated from the exposed face, whether the back and edges may be one grade lower, and whether the boards are kiln-dried. The National Lumber Grades Authority grading rules explain that grading conventions vary by product and that characteristics are assessed in relation to the intended use. That is why a clear, vertical-grain request should include more than a species name.
When Should You Specify Clear Vertical Grain Cedar?
Specify clear vertical grain cedar when a project needs a clean, consistent cedar surface and the exposed face will carry much of the design value. It is especially useful for premium siding details, interior paneling, soffits, fascia, trim, doors, and custom millwork where grain direction and finish consistency are visible at close range.
- Architectural siding: Use CVG where a restrained grain pattern supports a modern or highly detailed exterior.
- Tongue-and-groove paneling: Specify it when adjacent boards need a more controlled visual rhythm across a wall or ceiling.
- Soffits and fascia: Choose a clear face when these elements are prominent from the ground or align with other finished cedar.
- Trim and millwork: Use a clear grade where knots or irregular grain would interrupt profiles, reveals, or joinery.
- Custom doors and visible components: Consider CVG when the finish and grain are part of the product's design language.
CVG is not automatically the best choice for every board in a project. A rustic home, screened porch, utility structure, or large wall may benefit from Select Tight Knot cedar's natural knots and lower visual uniformity. Structural members also require structural design values and an appropriate structural grade; an appearance label such as CVG is not a substitute for an engineer's specification. Match the grade to the surface, viewing distance, budget, and performance requirement.
Talk with Craft Global about the right cedar grade and profile for your project.
Is Clear Vertical Grain Cedar the Same as Engineered Cedar?
No. Clear vertical grain cedar describes the species, grain orientation, and appearance of the lumber. Engineered cedar describes how the product is constructed. A product can be both CVG and engineered when a clear vertical-grain cedar face is joined or laminated to a backing or core designed for greater stability.
That distinction matters when reviewing a product page or quote. Craft Global's Clear Cedar T&G engineered planks are described as clear vertical-grain Western Red Cedar with a jointed and edge-glued coastal cedar backing. The construction is intended to improve resistance to cup and twist compared with a solid piece, while the visible face preserves the look of clear cedar. Ask whether the quote is for solid lumber, finger-joined material, engineered planks, or another assembly before comparing prices or installation details.
For project-level context, the Engineered Cedar Siding, Lumber, and Specialty Cedar Products Buyer Resource Center covers the wider material decision. This CVG guide focuses more narrowly on grain orientation, appearance grade, and specification language.
How Are Clear and Select Tight Knot Cedar Grades Different?
Clear grades prioritize a relatively uniform, refined appearance, while Select Tight Knot grades intentionally allow sound, tight knots and other natural markings. Both can be useful, but they communicate different design goals. The right comparison is not "good versus bad" cedar. It is a choice between a controlled clear appearance and a more character-rich knotty appearance, with the exact limits set by the applicable rulebook and product profile.
| Grade or label | Appearance intent | Common specification use | Confirm before ordering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear V.G. Heart | Highest-end clear, vertical-grain appearance with heartwood on the exposed face. | Premium siding, paneling, trim, and finish-sensitive work. | Product type, kiln-dried condition, grading rule, and whether the material is solid or engineered. |
| A Clear or similar clear grade | Fine appearance with more permitted characteristics and often mixed grain. | Visible work where a clean face matters but the strictest CVG requirement is unnecessary. | Permitted characteristics, mixed-grain allowance, and any percentage of lower grade included. |
| Select Tight Knot | Natural knot and grain character, with sound, tight knots allowed under the grade. | Rustic siding, paneling, soffits, and boards where warmth and variation are desirable. | Knot limits, face and back rules, moisture condition, and profile dimensions. |
Craft Global offers both clear vertical-grain and Select Tight Knot cedar options. Its Select Tight Knot T&G S2S planks are described as front- and back-sanded Western Red Cedar with a tongue-and-groove profile, while the clear product is presented for architect-grade vertical-grain applications. Use the product description as a starting point, then request the current grade details for the specific run and quantity.
What Should a Clear Vertical Grain Cedar Specification Include?
A good CVG cedar specification removes ambiguity before material is priced, milled, or delivered. It identifies the species, appearance grade, grain requirement, product form, dimensions, moisture condition, and intended use. It also tells the supplier which face will be exposed and whether a matching finish or sample review is needed.
- Species: State Western Red Cedar, including the botanical name Thuja plicata when the specification needs to distinguish it from other cedars.
- Product type: Identify siding, paneling, trim, soffit, fascia, millwork, or another use.
- Grade: Write the full term, such as Clear V.G. Heart, and name the grading rule or agency when required.
- Grain: State vertical grain or edge grain, and clarify whether mixed grain is unacceptable.
- Dimensions and profile: Include thickness, width, length, tongue-and-groove or other profile, surface finish, and edge treatment.
- Moisture condition: State kiln-dried or other required condition, along with acclimation expectations at the jobsite.
- Construction: Clarify solid, finger-joined, engineered, or backed material and identify any exposed-face requirements.
- Finish and samples: Request a representative sample when color, grain matching, or stain acceptance is important.
This level of detail helps the supplier quote a comparable material and helps the installer receive boards that fit the design intent. It also prevents a common ordering error: using "clear cedar" as shorthand for a specific CVG grade when the project actually needs a profile, engineered construction, or mixed-grain allowance spelled out.
How Do You Order Clear Vertical Grain Cedar for a Project?
Start with the visible application, then work backward to the grade and construction. Share drawings or elevations when the cedar will coordinate across siding, soffits, trim, or doors. A supplier can then review profile, quantity, finish, and availability together instead of treating the material as a generic board commodity.
- Mark the surfaces where grain consistency is most visible.
- Decide whether the design calls for a refined clear face or visible knot character.
- Choose solid, finger-joined, or engineered construction based on the application and movement requirements.
- Send dimensions, profile, quantity, finish intent, delivery location, and installation timing.
- Ask for the written grade description, applicable rule reference, and sample or photos for approval.
- Confirm acclimation, ventilation, fastening, flashing, and finishing requirements with the product documentation and installer.
Craft Global supplies engineered cedar siding, specialty lumber, and related products for builders, tradesmen, cabinet shops, distributors, and homeowners working on premium projects. Its specialty lumber collection brings clear, Select Tight Knot, engineered cedar, and other material options together for project review. Availability, quantities, profiles, and wholesale terms should be confirmed for each order rather than assumed from a general product label.
Send Craft Global your cedar dimensions and project requirements for a quote.
Clear Vertical Grain Cedar FAQs
Is clear vertical grain cedar the same as clear cedar?
No. Clear cedar describes the appearance grade, while vertical grain describes the grain orientation. A clear cedar board may be mixed grain unless the specification also requires vertical or edge grain.
Is CVG cedar stronger than flat grain cedar?
Grain orientation can influence appearance and dimensional behavior, but CVG is primarily an appearance and orientation specification. It is not a structural grade or a substitute for structural design values. Use the grade and engineering documentation appropriate to the application.
What is the difference between CVG and Select Tight Knot cedar?
CVG is selected for a relatively uniform, clear appearance and straight grain. Select Tight Knot cedar allows sound, tight knots and natural markings for a warmer, more rustic appearance. Neither is universally better; the design and end use determine the better fit.
Can clear vertical grain cedar be engineered?
Yes. CVG describes the visible cedar face and grain requirement, while engineered describes the product's joined or backed construction. Ask whether a quoted product is solid, finger-joined, or engineered and review the manufacturer's technical information.
What should I ask a cedar supplier before ordering?
Ask for the species, complete grade name, grain requirement, grading rule, dimensions, profile, moisture condition, construction, permitted face characteristics, finish options, sample process, and current availability. Those details make a quote and delivered material easier to compare.
Clear vertical grain cedar is most valuable when the specification connects appearance to the actual surface and use. Define the species, grade, grain, profile, construction, and finish before ordering, then confirm the details with the supplier and the installation documentation.