Manufacturing Excellence: The Product of 25 Years of Experience

At Canadian Timberframes, we have strategically located our head office in Golden, BC, giving us access to premier Interior Douglas Fir logs. Douglas fir wood is highly valued in the construction industry, particularly for timber framing, due to its natural characteristics such as high strength and durability, dimensional stability, and aesthetic appeal.

Our process begins with our experienced millwrights who assess and hand select the best interior douglas fir wood. We look for consistent timber fiber without defects like knots, burls, spirals, or ring shakes.

This careful log selection demonstrates our commitment to sustainable and quality-driven timber frame solutions.

Canadian Timberframes is a proud participant in the Timber Products Inspection, Inc. (TP) program, which involves internal and independent third-party wood product inspections and grading.

TP’s professional inspection services provide monthly audits, giving our customers independent, third-party assurance of the timber grades stamped on our products. Grading rules are based on the ‘standard methods for establishing stress grades for structural members used in log and timber frame buildings,’ ASTM D3957, a North American recognized standard for both residential and commercial use.

Timber grading provides a layer of protection for the manufacturer and homeowner by establishing defined quality levels for the products being sold and marketed within the industry.

When an architect or engineer specifies the timber grade in their design, we can meet these requirements in-house without incurring additional costs or delays. Other manufacturers might need to outsource this service and undergo testing to ensure compliance.

Providing this level of confidence and security ensures three key measures: each piece is visually inspected and graded, ensuring quality; clients receive the timber grade as specified in their contract; and ongoing monthly surprise inspections by TP continuously validate and endorse the quality and grading.

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When a log is harvested, it is considered 'green' due to the moisture content from the water in the tree. A green log, also known as wet lumber, shrinks considerably and can check (crack) and warp as it dries, making it unsuitable for building until it reaches a lower moisture level.

Canadian Timberframes employs traditional air drying techniques to condition our timber. Our logs are dated upon receipt and placed into log decks, allowing air circulation throughout the logs for at least a year, until they reach a low moisture content. Air drying, a natural process, often produces higher quality, more workable wood than kiln drying, enhancing the wood's stability and reducing internal stresses that can cause warping.

For projects requiring specific moisture content levels, we also offer kiln drying at an increased cost, typically adding about 10% to 15% to the cost of the frame due to the additional power and energy used, additional shipping to the kiln, and the aggressive cooking of the timber.

After air drying for at least one year, a log is taken from a deck to our sawmill and sawn into cants. This is where your project will start its journey. The lumber is then sorted, graded, and stacked with spacers between each layer. From there, the stack of lumber is stored in our drying shed to further control moisture content.

At this stage, we prepare the timber for specific construction uses. Whether it's structural beams or hybrid decorative elements, our process ensures that the timbers meet the exact specifications required for each project, facilitating a smoother construction process.

Canadian Timberframes offers comprehensive design services through our skilled in-house team or in collaboration with your architects and engineers. We can create new plans or incorporate timber into existing designs.

During this phase, we help develop detailed floor plans, elevations, and 3D models, ensuring every design detail is considered. This process allows for thorough planning and visualization of the project before manufacturing begins, making any necessary adjustments efficiently. Our design team works closely with you or your team to tailor designs to your needs and preferences, integrating functionality with aesthetic desires.

We take a personalized approach to every project so that the final product meets and exceeds client expectations.

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Once we receive architectural and engineering sign-off, we can begin the production of your timber. The production phase at Canadian Timberframes exemplifies the convergence of high-tech precision and traditional craftsmanship.

The timbers are first moved to our planer, which flattens and straightens the timber to a consistent level. After the initial pass through the planer, we utilize state-of-the-art CNC technology. Our Hundegger K2i 6-axis robot carves precise, intricate timber frame joints that will connect your timber frame structure. Depending on the selected timber finish (S4S or Rough Sawn), the timbers may move back to our planer for further smoothing. Each timber then receives personal attention from our carpenters and production team, who apply various hand-finishing techniques such as additional joinery cuts, fine sanding, and staining to project specifications. Finally, the timber is packaged and shipped to your job site.

This careful preparation is crucial as it sets the stage for a seamless on-site construction process. Our goal is to provide our clients with a timber frame that can be assembled on-site easily and efficiently without modification or specialized equipment. Our joinery is designed with raising and installation in mind: each timber frame part is numbered, and we provide all assembly documents to the builder. We strive to meet the requirements of an efficient assembly process.

In the finishing stage, each timber component undergoes handwork such as chiseling, routing, and any necessary drilling for timber connections. Then, varying degrees of sanding is done based on the clients desired timber aesthetic. The components are then factory-finish stained and treated with premium sealants to ensure protection against moisture and UV damage, preserving their beauty and quality.

This multi-step finishing process not only improves the longevity of the timber but also accentuates its natural beauty, preparing it for prominent display in any setting.

Quality control inspectors carefully examine each component to ensure it meets Canadian Timberframes' high standards before it is packaged and shipped to the construction site.

Once the finishing process is complete, the timber frames are moved to a specially designated logistics area within our facility, where they are kept until they are ready to be shipped. Our logistics team then plans the packaging and shipping of these frames, using protective materials and methods to safeguard the timber from damage during transit.

Detailed assembly documentation and numbered components are included with every shipment, facilitating a straightforward assembly process for builders at the construction site.