Double take: Get beauty and brawn with two abundant, eco-friendly Canadian wood species
Furniture makers are setting themselves apart with Canadian-grown, sustainably harvested softwoods, such a Douglas-fir and Western Hemlock. A growing number of designers and fabricators are taking advantage of the affordability, strength and good looks of these easy-to-work-with eco-friendly species.
Canadian wood, an eco-friendly and design-savvy choice
Design savvy furniture makers looking for responsibly-sourced wood are taking advantage of Canadian-grown, Douglas-fir and Western Hemlock, some of the strongest species grown in Canada’s western most province, British Columbia (B.C.). They offer strength, durability and density close to those of common hardwood species—along with good value for money.
“Canadian species offer great versatility and strength, while being easy to work with. They are available in a range of grades, and can be readily treated or stained to achieve a variety of looks and finishes. And while Canadian softwood species tend to be less dense than common hardwood species, they still perform well in many applications due to their high strength-to-weight ratio. Their lighter weight and ease to work with can be a benefit for furniture makers looking to export lighter, nimbler products,” says Jim Messer, Vice President International Marketing at Forestry Innovation Investment (FII). FII is the government agency behind an initiative that promotes and supplies information about softwood products from British Columbia to wood industry professionals, and connects furniture manufacturers, designers, and wholesalers with leading softwood suppliers from B.C.
Douglas-fir and Western Hemlock offer excellent performance when it comes to durability, workability and overall aesthetics. In terms of stiffness, both are comparable to hardwoods such as teak—and stiffer than red or white oak. The lower density of B.C. wood species can be an advantage by enabling larger pieces with less weight than traditional hardwoods.
At the same time, these Canadian wood species come from sustainably managed forests with some of the most comprehensive forestry practices in the world. B.C. grown Douglas-fir and Western Hemlock are harvested from natural, biodiverse forests on public land, governed by stringent laws and environmental regulations that enforce ongoing conservation and reforestation measures. In contrast, tropical hardwoods are often grown on private monoculture plantations throughout regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and, in some cases, may not be subject to strong sustainable forestry practices.
The unique possibilities of Douglas-fir
“Douglas-fir has a unique look, color and fine-grained texture that is unmatched in other softwoods—it has a richer, more luxurious look that appeals to a more discerning consumer,” explains Messer.
It offers excellent strength properties and is well-regarded for its workability—with good machining qualities. The wood dries rapidly with small dimensional movement and little tendency to check.
Douglas-fir is a great choice for long-lasting pieces that can withstand heavy use. Additionally, its attractive grain and ability to take finishes well make it a popular choice for both functional and decorative furniture.
GREAT WORKABILITY | Canadian-grown, eco-friendly Douglas-fir is suited to a wide range of furniture, is well-regarded for its workability, glues easily, has good nail and screw holding ability and takes a good finish. It turns, planes and shapes well and can be sanded to a smooth finish.
The unique possibilities of Western Hemlock
Easier to saw, plane and sand than traditional hardwoods, Canadian-grown softwoods, such as Hemlock, can speed up production and reduce costly equipment wear-and-tear. Fabricators can achieve various finishes comparable to hardwoods and with a silky-smooth finish.
Fabricators and furniture designers often remark on Hemlock’s strength, stability and relative density and liked that it could provide a similar look and feel as hardwoods. Along with being easy to work with, Hemlock is non-resinous and able to take any stain or paint color.
Western Hemlock is also well-suited to custom built-ins, moldings and interior wood working. From front door to backdoor, and everything in between—such as windows, floors, suspended ceilings, ladders, and other purposes where a high grade is needed.
DIVERSITY OF LOOKS | Bedroom and dining sets show the unique versatility of Western Hemlock, able to take almost any stain and achieve a diversity of looks, colors and tones.
About Canadian Wood
Canadian Wood is part of Forestry Innovation Investment (FII), a Crown agency of the British Columbia Government, headquartered in B.C. Canada, with satellite offices in Vietnam and India. Through market development programs, Canadian Wood promotes and supplies information about softwood products from British Columbia to wood industry professionals, and connects furniture manufacturers, designers, and wholesalers with leading softwood suppliers from B.C.
Try Canadian Wood
Looking for the right grade and wood species to achieve the desired design, color, and appearance for your next project? To better help you understand the color and overall appearance of Canadian softwoods, Canadian Wood offers small wood samples for you to work with. Visit canadianwoodbc.com.