When the decorative fretwork or friezework on a period verandah begins to rot, split or sag, replacing it with a faithful match starts with a handful of accurate measurements. Get those numbers right and a new panel will drop straight into the opening as if it had always been there. This guide walks you through exactly what to record so your heritage timber replacement fits first time.
Why Accurate Fretwork Measurements Matter
Fretwork and friezework are usually priced and made per lineal metre, so the dimensions you supply directly shape both the fit and the cost of your panel. A few millimetres out on the width, or a misjudged drop on an arched design, can leave gaps beside the posts or a panel that will not seat properly. Taking care at the measuring stage saves you from costly remakes and keeps the restoration looking authentic.
The Three Key Measurements to Take
Whether your verandah has a straight or arched frieze, the same core dimensions apply. Grab a metal tape measure, a notepad and ideally a second pair of hands, then work through the following.
1. Post-to-Post Width
Measure across the opening from the inside face of one post to the inside face of the next. This is the clear span the fretwork panel has to fill, so it is the single most important figure on the page. Take the measurement at more than one height if your posts are old, as timber can bow over the decades and the gap at the top may differ slightly from the gap lower down.
2. Side Drop (for Arched Fretwork)
If your frieze curves into an arch, note how far the timber drops down alongside each post. This side drop sets where the decorative curve begins against the upright and helps the maker reproduce the sweep of the arch accurately.
3. Centre Drop (for Arched Fretwork)
Still working on an arched panel, measure how far the fretwork drops down at the middle of the opening. Together with the side drop, this centre measurement defines the depth and shape of the curve so the new panel mirrors the original profile.
Measuring Straight Fretwork and Friezework
Straight panels are more forgiving. You only need three things: the post-to-post width, the overall height of the panel, and clear photographs of the pattern. With those in hand, the workshop can match the design and cut the panel to suit your opening.
The Most Accurate Method: Send the Original Panel
Numbers and photos go a long way, but nothing beats the real thing. If you can safely remove the existing fretwork panel and send it in, the maker can copy it precisely, capturing the exact size, the pattern, the fine detailing, the timber thickness and any heritage quirks that a measurement alone might miss. For irreplaceable Victorian and Federation homes, supplying an original sample is the surest route to a seamless match. This is the approach the original Karem Woodcraft heritage range has relied on for decades.
Photographs That Help the Workshop
Good photos give the maker context that pure dimensions cannot. When you document your fretwork, try to capture:
- The complete verandah opening, showing how the panel sits between the posts
- Close-up shots of the pattern so the fine detail is clear
- Straight-on angles rather than skewed perspectives, which distort proportions
- Any damaged or missing sections that need rebuilding
- An image with a tape measure laid alongside the panel for scale
The more angles and detail you provide, the more confidently the workshop can recreate your design.
A Note on Timber and Treatment
Most external fretwork and friezework is manufactured from LOSP H3 treated pine, which is rated for above-ground outdoor use. Once installed, the panel should be painted and given routine maintenance to shield it from the weather and keep it looking crisp for years to come.
Ready to Order Your Replacement
With your width, drops, height and photos assembled, you are ready to brief the workshop. Classic Woodturning manufactures verandah fretwork, friezework, balustrades, gable products and matching heritage timber from its Bayswater workshop, with delivery available Australia-wide. Browse the full range of heritage fretwork and timber products to find the style that suits your verandah.
Measure twice, photograph well, and where you can, send the original. Do that and your replacement fretwork will honour the character of your home for another generation.