Strong, Precise, Sustainable & Beautiful.
Call or email us to help you with your first steps. Whether you want to build your first Timber Frame home or cottage, or you are already a residential or commercial builder, we are here to help you realize your project. No experience or knowledge is required, as this is what the WoodPecker team is here for, so why not take advantage of it! We are looking forward to helping you!
Every project begins with our drafting department creating technical drawings, from which engineer and customer approved shop drawings are created.
Every project begins with our drafting department creating technical drawings, from which engineer and customer approved shop drawings are created. Final approved drawings are then provided to our shop to start production. Depending on the nature of the joinery, and or the kind of timbers being used, the type of joinery will be either hand cut by our skilled Timber Framers, or machine cut using our in-house Hundegger Robot DriveCNC machine.
Originated in Europe and Asia, Timber Framing has a tradition of many centuries and Timber Joinery has always been a skillful art, where knowledge has been passed along over many generations.Where CNC machine cutting is not possible, due to the few machine limitations such as timber sizes or joinery type, or simply the customer’s preference, we have trained, skilled and experienced timber framers that can help.
In North America Timber Framing is not highly recognized and finding trained and skilled Timber Framers can be very challenging. Consequently, WoodPecker recruits many of our Timber Framers from Europe, where they have typically gone through a three year apprenticeship for basic training, and then many have been schooled for an additional 1-2 years to become Master Timber Framers. WoodPeckeremploys these well trained, experienced European craftsmen in our team, and in turn, we apprentice young Canadians to teach them the fine art of Timber Framing.
WoodPecker receives our timbers directly from the sawmill, rough sawn.As a first step, we plane the timbers on all four sides (S4S). Our in-house automated planning machine refines the timbers down to a dimensional precision of 0.5mm, which guarantees a very high quality finished surface. The machine also squares the timbers in order to guarantee a precise fit of the joinery. Once planned, timbers can be run through ourHundegger Robot Drive CNC machine. This is a fully automated beam cutting and joinery machine that precisely creates various joinery, cuttings and drillings. This machine is designed for highly efficient production and extremely precise joinery on square timbers. It is capable of cutting traditional style as well as modern style joinery.
Although our robotic machine has very few limitations, when it comes to the complexity of joints and beam dimensions, there are a few exceptions. In those cases, our team of skilled timber framers jump in to create the specific joints that our machine cannot manage.
In some cases, a project requires working with reclaimed timber, such as repurposed beams from an old barn or elevator. These often require our skilled Timber Framers tohand-cut the timbers. Our customer’s desired “look and feel” of the finished structure is what drives our business, and we have the unique,in-house skills and capabilities to deliver upon their wishes.
There are several different ways to connectposts and beams in a Timber Frame structure. The approach taken completely depends on eachindividual project.
Many Timber Frame structures are a combination of the three above mentioned joinery techniques.
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Woodpecker – European Timber Framing Ltd. is a full-service design manufacturer Timber Framing company with an innovative approach. With expertise in a broad variety of project types and styles, we can be your partner in any imaginable timber frame and Mass Timber project.
What does this mean for your project? Many of our competitors offer the supply of a timber package only, others offer installation only. Architects or designers offer the design service and engineersprovide the engineering services, while painters offer the staining/finishing of the timbers only. Some timber framers don’t work withMass Timber and if you decide to build a hybrid of solid sawn and Mass Timber, you would have to deal with two suppliers. At Woodpecker, we can offer you full package solution, from consultation all the way to the finished andinstalled timber frame.
Building with Woodpecker means our technical drafting design team will support your project, through the planning and design process. We can work with your design, your designer or let’s start from scratch! Every project is unique, requiring collaboration with drafters, architects, engineers, interior designers and general contractors, in order to bring your project to life.
The style of structure is up to you, whether it be classic or rustic, traditionally joined Timber Frame or an elegant contemporary post and beam project. We have the craftsmanship to build your dream. When planning large commercial or industrial buildings, we work hand in hand with your architects and engineers too because we know how important efficiency is.
We utilize the most up to date 2D drafting and 3D design modeling programs which seamlessly integrate CAM software with our robotic CNC machine, to craft masterful, precision cut timber joinery.
With our 15,000 sq ft shop facilities we’re able to maximize construction efficiency through our in-house technology to precut and prepare timbers and joinery in a controlled and efficient environment, rather thanpreparing on site. This allows us to streamline the building schedule, minimize delays and reduce on site build time, which in turn reduces costs and material waste, to realize the highest value and quality for your project.
We can create any style of structure from traditional or modern, to industrial and commercial spaces. With efficiency in mind, our designs are not only beautiful, but we’ll optimize the performance of your building to respect affordability, sustainability and quality of materials.
Some examples of our structures Include, but are not limited to: rustic country cottages, mountain chalets, residential homes, light industrial spaces, small commercial and craft production facilities and large-scale commercial and public buildings. Whether for homeowners or residential and commercial builders, we create beautiful, unique, sustainable and environmental structures that last.
Our designs are not only beautiful, but also sustainable and energy efficient. We make sure not to penetrate the building envelope with the timber structureunless it is absolutely necessary. We choose our timber sources mindfully and create next to no waste in our latest technology facilities. The cut offs and shavings that are inevitable are pressed into briquettes and used to heat our facilities entirely.In doing so we are keeping approximately 150,000 kg waste each year out of landfill!
For the building envelope, we work with our in-house designed and manufactured “Enerficient Wall & Roof Panels”, which are wood fibre based, off gassing free, extremely well insulated and pre-fabricated in Alberta, Canada. This panel design won the second prize for the Green Building Product of the Year, awarded by the Canadian Green Building Council.
We are familiar with and have experience withsustainabilitycertifications and governance systems such as:
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Woodpecker – European Timber Framing Ltd. is a full-service design manufacturer Timber Framing company with an innovative approach. We not only utilize old world European joinery skills, but we also use the most advanced new world technologies, engineering and connections too. Modern buildings of all sizes are now being built using Mass Timber in their construction. Due to our European roots we are proficient in these building materials and methods that have been used in Europe for over three decades.
Building with Woodpecker means our technical drafting design team will support your project, through the planning and design process. We can work with your design, your designer or let’s start from scratch! Every project is unique, requiring collaboration with drafters, architects, engineers, interior designers and general contractors, in order to bring your project to life.
The style of structure is up to you, whether it be classic or rustic, traditionally joined Timber Frame or an elegant contemporary post and beam project. We have the craftsmanship to build your dream. When planning large commercial or industrial buildings, architects and engineers are brought in to add structural timbers to the design, as needed.
We utilize the most up to date 2D drafting and 3D design modeling programs which seamlessly integrate CAM software with our robotic CNC machine, to craft masterful, precision cut timber joinery.
With our 10,000 sq ft shop we are able maximize construction efficiency through our in-house technology to precut and prepare beams and joinery in advance, rather than working on site. This allows us to streamline the building schedule, minimize delays and reduce on site build time, which in turn reduces costs and material waste, to realize the highest value for your project.
We can create any style of structure from traditional or modern, to industrial and commercial spaces. With efficiency in mind, our designs are not only beautiful, but we’ll optimize the performance of your building to respect affordability, sustainability and quality of materials.
Some examples of our structures Include, but are not limited to: rustic country cottages, mountain chalets, residential homes, light industrial spaces, small commercial and craft production facilities and large-scale commercial and public buildings. Whether for homeowners or residential and commercial builders, we create beautiful, unique, sustainable and environmental structures that last.
Our designs are not only beautiful but they are energy efficient too. … Note to Peter: We need direction here in order to flesh this paragraph out
Ie: Code compliance. We are familiar with and have experience with certification and governance systems such as:
Building with Woodpecker means our technical drafting design team will support your project, through the planning and design process. We can work with your design, your designer or let’s start from scratch! Every project is unique, requiring collaboration with drafters, architects, engineers, interior designers and general contractors, in order to bring your project to life. We offer full-service design and engineering services from concept to completion.
What does this mean for your project? We can also offer you innovative alternatives to solid sawn timber, such as Glulam, DLT, GLT, NLT and CLT, which we have been working with for over three decades.Many of our competitors offer the supply of a Glulam package only, others offer installation only. The engineering firm offers engineering only, while paintersonly offer staining and finishing of the components. Some timber framers don’t work withMass Timber and if you decide to build a hybrid of solid sawn and Mass Timber, you would have to deal with two suppliers. We can offer you the full package, from consultation all the way to the finished timber frame.
Our approach is a holistic one.Frequently, Mass Timber projects also include solid sawn timber components, which often get overlooked and sometimes even omitted in the budget. We regularly get the request to “fill the void” with missing timber elements,fasteners and steel components that were forgotten in the budget and even missed at the contract awarding stage. This causes delays in the schedule and budget overruns that were completely unnecessary and shouldhave been avoided. Having Woodpecker involved early on in the process will eliminate these costly mistakes. Our decades of experience, combined with the talents of the most innovative and experienced Timber Frame and Mass Timber engineers in North America,will assure that your project stays on budget and delivered on time.
We utilize the most up to date 2D drafting and 3D design modeling programs to ensure that the structure is manufactured to your specifications. In addition, our process catches any possible issues on screen,which eliminates costly and time consuming mistakes, that could have been made on site. Cadwork, our drafting software, seamlessly interfaces with Cambium, the CAM software of our Hundegger Robot Drive CNC machine, for precision cut, efficient and aesthetically pleasingjoinery.
In our 15,000 sq ft shop facilities, we are able maximize construction efficiency through our in-house technology to precut and prepare components in advance, rather than working on site. This allows us to streamline the building schedule, minimize delays and reduce on site build time, which in turn reduces costs and material waste,to realizethe highest value for your project.
Pre-fabricated construction reduces the waste to a fraction. This cuts back on your cost, is good for the environment and speeds up timelines.
Mass Timber is a very versatile material. On its own or combined with other timber products, it can create any style of structure from traditional or modern, to industrial and commercial spaces. Although Mass Timber is pre-fabricatedbefore installation it still is a highly customizable component.
With efficiency, sustainability and budget in mind, we can look after all of your Mass Timber and solid sawn Timber needs.Our projects include providing all required fasteners, custom and pre-engineered steel components, engineering, and even cladding structural steel or traditionally framed members to compliment the look of timber.
Our company is run with a high degree of sustainability and efficiency in mind, which is reflected in every aspect of your project. With our zero-waste policy, we apply resource saving technologies, such as optimization of components in the design stage, protecting materials from the weather, in-house re-cycling and re-using all cut offs and shavings produced in our facilities.
We are familiar with and have experience with certifications and governance systems such as:
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The selection of surface finishing is very important and is often quite personal. The Timber Frame elements define the general overall “look and feel” of the structure, but the surface finishing makes the project unique and customizes it to the client’s desire. There are many possibilities and options to choose from and WoodPecker takes the time needed to educate our clients, so that they can make the right surface finishing choice. The physical surface of the timber is the base for which texturing and finishing is applied.
The selection of surface finishing is very important and is often quite personal. The Timber Frame elements define the general overall “look and feel” of the structure, but the surface finishing makes the project unique and customizes it to the client’s desire. There are many possibilities and options to choose from and WPTF takes the time needed to educate our clients, so that they can make the right surface finishing choice. The physical surface of the timber is the base for which texturing and finishing is applied.
The texture of the surface can be rough sawn, planed, sanded or brushed, to which the final finish is applied. The following details describe these various surface textures:
Timbers are taken from the lumber yard “as is”, which means that saw marks are still visible and the timbers have a rough surface. They may have forklift and sawmill claw marks, and they are often not square. Colours can vary significantly between the timbers, depending on how they were stored, and some customers really like this surface because of the rustic appearance.
We do not recommend rough sawn timbers because they are very un-predictable in their outcome and we cannot take responsibility for such. In order to achieve a similar rustic look, we recommend course brushing the timbers. This process is explained further down in this section.
Rough sawn timbers are seasoned in our yard in order to bring the moisture content down, the timbers also change their shape and discolor. To get rid of the discoloration and make them square, we run them through our 4-sided CNC precision planer to create our base finish.The finish we achieve is often referred to as S4S (Smooth Four Sides).
Sanding process is applied to timbers after they’ve been planed. This takes out the slightest planer marks and brings up the fibers to improve stain absorption. This process also increases the longevity of the stain or clear coat applied afterwards.
Brushing process is applied after planing. Brushing creates a beautifully textured surface with a lot of ‘depth’. Light brushing enhances the stain and gives it a rich, 3-dimensional profile, whereas course brushing offers a similar effect but also adds a rustic character, similar to rough sawn yet more sophisticated
Distressing new timbers creates the look of aged, reclaimed timber. Creating a distressed timber using afree of heart, centre timber which has been kiln dried and planed on all four sides, guarantees a high degree of quality while still creating that rustic look of reclaimed timber. There are a few advantages to this process over using reclaimed, naturally aged timber:
To achieve a distressed timber look, our skilled craftsmen use a variety of techniques that include working with chains, nails, hammers, hand planes and more, to incorporate distressed marks into the timbers. When finished, you won’t be able to tell the difference and you’ll end up with a much better build.
What is Shou Sugi Ban? Originating in 18th century Japan, Shou SugiBan is a particularly striking method of preserving wood by charring it with fire. Traditionally, this practice is used with Japanese cedar in order to weatherproof it. The wood is burned until the surface is charred and then coated with natural oil. Depending on the grade of the charring that is desired, theprocess of flaming the timbers might have to be repeated a few times, with intermittent brushing to remove access burned fibres and enhance the grain.
Finishing is often referred to as staining, where product is rolled, brushed and wiped onto the textured surface. Some examples of finish include, but are not limited to, coloured stain, clear coating, and UV protectant. We also offer specialty surface treatments, such as charcoaling (Shu SougiBan), distressing and pre-aging.
For the application of finishing to larger surfaces, our in-house staining machine applies the stain using a technology that applies the product evenly to all sides, ensuring a minimum penetration of the stain. Each board is flooded with stain through several nozzles on all 4 sides, then back brushed with eight individually adjustable rotating brushes to ensure proper saturation of the stain.
We machine stain Tongue & Groove trim and fascia, siding, cladding as well as decking materials. A two-coat application is recommendedas standard but can be adjusted to specific requirements.
WoodPecker uses “Sansin” low VOC products, because of their unique water-borne technology that uses nature’s own ingredients – such as resins and gums from the heartwood of trees to deliver long lasting, sustainable protection. We also chose Sansin water-based products instead of solvent based stains because they’re better for the environment and solvents pose a health hazard to employees.
The finishing process is applied within our finishing shop, which eliminates exposure to radical weather conditions, providing the added benefit of full curing in a controlled environment.
We are committed to building high quality buildings with beautiful and functional spaces, offering comfort and well-being. Mass Timber construction offers a variety of products and wood species to choose from. Glued Laminated (Glulam), Glued Laminated Timer (GLT), Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), Dowel Laminated Timber (DLT), Nail Laminated Timber (NLT), each with their own characteristics.Mass Timber can enhance the beauty and performance of your project and the efficiency and quality of the construction. The species we offer include Douglas Fir, North American Spruce, European Spruce, Stone Pine and European Larch, Alaskan Yellow Cedar. We know the importance of choosing the right species for the application and we work with our clients to help them develop the specifications for their project.
Glulam, GLT, DLT and CLT can be great options for your residential project. While in North America they are mostly being used for commercial and institutional construction, these products have been used for residential construction in Europe for decades. Being both structural and aesthetically pleasing, Mass Timber can serve two purposes for your project’sdesign.
Engineered wood products that are used in Mass Timber construction provide an immense strength that compete with steel or concrete,andoffer a viable option for Commercial, Institutional and Industrial construction. Mass timber can be used in all sizes and scales of commercial buildings, multi-family complexes and large industrial buildings. Glulam beams are used to create vast spans in the largest coliseums, atrium styles vaults and curvy, wavy structures. DLT and NLT are a good choice for aesthetically pleasing ceilings, offeringsuperior sound characteristics,while CLT can span long distances into multiple directions, with a beautiful finish.
Engineered wood products such as Glulam are extremely strong and have become a viable option in Commercial and Industrial construction. Glulam (glued-laminated timber) is a structural wood product consisting of multiple layers of dimensional lumber that are bonded together using waterproof, non-toxic, clear adhesives. Glulam is commonly used as beams or posts and can span large distances and therefore eliminate the use of steel. They can be curved to create unique structures.
They have a naturally higher fire rating than steel which allows them to remain exposed in commercial, industrial and residential applications.
As Timber Framers we understand the importance of how these products are handled and installed. Each connection is pre-fabricated in our shop with precision and care. We understand the need for an exact fit, using traditional methods like Mortise and Tenons as well as engineered special connectors.
Similar to Gulam, CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) consists of several layers of dimensional lumber. These layers are oriented crosswise, in a 90 degree angle to each other, just like they are in a sheet of Plywood. This gives the product incredible strength, dimensional stability and allows for spanning in multiple directions. The sheets are available up to 10’ wide and over 50’ long. They’re pre-cut, drilled, milled and finished in our shop to dramatically speed up the time spent on-site.CLT is most often used for walls, floors, ceilingsand roof structures.
Dowel Laminated Timber is built similarly to NLT. The laminations are held together with friction fit dowels instead of nails. DLT does not use any glues and is therefore the right product for customers that want to avoid any sort of chemicals in their project. DLT has no nails and therefore is easy to cut on our CNC machine. DLT is typically applied flat as a ceiling, floor or roof structure.
Nail Laminated Timber consists of dimensional lumber, usually 2×4 or 2×6, that is vertically oriented (“on edge”), nailed together in a certain pattern. NLT panels are often designed in smaller sizes so they are easy to man-handle. The advantage is that we can laminate those panels in our own shop, keeping lead times down. Just like DLT, NLT is typically applied flat as a ceiling, floor or roof structure.
We will help you choose the right product and species for your project.
For residential projects considerations include:
For Commercial and Institutional projects considerations include:
Beyond the Mass Timber structure itself, we can also provide and install natural wood materials for tongue and groove soffit & facia, siding, cladding and trim, as well as decking materials. These products are available in various grades and surfaces including:
Sustainable and energy efficient building systems (Code compliance)
We are familiar with and have experience with sustainability certifications and governance systems such as:
We are also COR certified
There are many options to choose from, and we are here to help.
Whether it is the required durability for exteriors, weather exposed timbers, structural strength, aesthetics or a combinationof these, we are happy to share our knowledge and decades of experience to help you make the right decision.
We can source many different species, such as
Douglas Fir, Douglas Fir-Larch-Hemlock
Spruce-Pine-Fir
Alaskan Yellow Cedar
Western Red Cedar
Red and White Oak
Reclaimed. Various species.
We offer FSC and PEFC certified materials
Depending on the application, we will advise you and take care ofthe structural and aesthetic grade requirements as well as kiln drying the timbers.
For the structural part of the timber frame, we help you select the proper grades, such as a commonly used #1 grade or better, or whether or not a higher, select structural grade is required. We can also assist with the option of using Mass Timber if desired or structurally required.
We work exclusively with free of heart centre (fohc) timbers. This meansthat when a round log is cut into square timbers, it is done in a way so that the heart of the tree is cut out and is not part of the cut timber. This removes a lot of tension and reduces the risk of large cracks developing on the timbers.
“We also work with various species of reclaimed wood and other less common varieties too, depending on the client’s preference, desired finished look and structural specifications.”
Beyond the Timber Frame structure itself, we also provide and install natural wood materials for tongue and groove soffit & facia, siding, cladding and trim as well as decking materials. These products are available in various grade and surfaces including:
Once you’ve chosen your species, we’ll help you develop the specifications for your project
For residential projects considerations include:
For Commercial projects considerations include:
The shipping department ensures that all timbers and components are properly protected before being loaded for shipment. Components are bundle wrapped with steel banding and protective paper to avoid damaging the timbers. The bundles are then collectively wrapped under tarp or individually wrapped, depending on the size of the beams.
Smaller projects are shipped to site via our WPTF company trucks and trailers, while large projects are shipped by highway trucks.
Quality Control is a key part in our business, particularly on large scale Mass Timber projects.Poor quality and missed members or fasteners/connectors can lead to unnecessary delays and cost overruns.
Right from the start, shop drawings don’t move into production until they have been reviewed and verified by a second technical drafts person. Once a project goes into production, every piece is checked after each and every step, before it moves on to the next step. At the final stage of the quality control process, the controller/shipper checks the completeness of each package to ensure that nothing is missing and then signs off on the package before it gets shipped. This includes fasteners, plugs and connectors, to ensure the project has everything needed for assembly on site.
The shipping department ensures that all timber components are properly protected before being loaded for shipment. They are bundle wrapped with steel banding and protective paper to avoid damaging the timbers. The bundles are then collectively wrapped under tarp or individually wrapped, depending on the size of the beams.
Smaller projects are shipped to site via our WoodPecker company trucks and trailers, while large projects are shipped by highway trucks.
Installation is the final step and it requires proper planning in order to ensure installation accuracy and work efficiency.
Installation requires that our project management team be involved even before the design and drafting process begins. A survey tool known as a “total station” is used to take measurements that survey every strategically important point from foundation up for new builds, or for integration into an existing building. With these measurements we can create a 3D model of the completed build, based on the existing site conditions. This process sets us apart from many other timber framing companies, who design and build their timber frames off of the drawings provided by their customer. By starting a project off in this way we are preparing for the installation before anything actually ships.
On large projects, and where required, our engineer also defines and provides installation process directions which include: The structure’s erection process, the installation sequence, as well as the method and required temporary bracing needed during the installation process. This is a separate service from the structural engineer’s review, and it is specifically dedicated to the installation process. These installation process drawings are engineer reviewed and officially stamped. WoodPecker is also COR certified.
Prior to shipping, our project managers work together with your General Contractor or site Foreman to make sure that the site is ready for delivery when it is time for installation. The installation sequence is coordinated with them and the proper lifting equipment that is needed is determined. WoodPecker uses their own installation and lifting equipment which avoids having to rely on independent rental companies and allows us to keep the installation process on time and on budget.
Mass Timber systems most commonly connect structural manufactured beams together with highly engineered connectors, hardware and fasteners. The connectors themselves are most often engineered custom steel connections made for specific applications. However, wherever possible WPTF does incorporate traditional, mortise and tenon, dovetail and housed connections to reduce costs and environmental impact.
CONNECTORS, HARDWARE & FASTENERS
Mass Timber systems most commonly connect structural manufactured components together with highly engineered connectors, hardware and fasteners. The connectors themselves are most often engineered custom steel connections made for specific applications, or pre-engineered slide together connectors. However, wherever possible WoodPecker does incorporate traditional, mortise and tenon, dovetail and housed connections to reduce costs and environmental impact.
When our drafting team designs the connections, they make sure that they’re designed to withstand load specifications, that they’re aesthetically pleasing and they align together smoothly when installed. They also prepare installation drawings and plans together with directions for shipping to ensure all connectors, hardware and fasteners are included with the shipment.
Hardware & fasteners used for Mass Timber projects can be simple or elaborate, but the specifications are clearly identified for each Mass Timber project. WoodPecker always uses the appropriate products as specified for the installation of each project and makes suggestions for cost savings and efficiency where appropriate.
Once you’ve chosen your species, we’ll help you develop the specifications for your project
For residential projects considerations include:
For Commercial projects considerations include:
Beyond the Timber Frame structure itself, we also provide and install natural wood materials for tongue and groove soffit & facia, siding, cladding and trim as well as decking materials. These products are available in various grade and surfaces including:
Sustainable and energy efficient building systems (Code compliance)
WPTF is familiar with and have experience with certification and governance systems such as:
The following list of compliance governance systems:
The selection of surface finishing is very important and is often quite personal. The Mass Timber elements define the general overall “look and feel” of the structure, but the surface finishing makes the project unique and customizes it to the client’s desire. There are many possibilities and options to choose from and WoodPecker takes the time needed to educate our clients, so that they can make the right surface finishing choice. The physical surface of the timber is the base for which texturing and finishing is applied.
The texture of the surface can be planed, sanded or brushed, to which the final finish is applied. The following details describe these various surface textures:
PLANING
This is the typical and most common finish for Mass Timber components. After the laminations are stacked, glued, nailed or doweled and pressed together, the product is run through a massive planer to achieve the exact dimension and an aesthetically pleasing surface.
SANDING
Sanding is applied as outlined in the architectural specifications or simply requested by the customer. In that process, the members typically get machine or hand sanded to a 100 grit.This takes out any planer or handling marks and gives a very sophisticated finish, particularly for high end residential construction.This also takes out the slightest planer marks and raises the fibers to improve stain absorption. The process also increases the longevity of the stain or clear coat applied afterwards.
BRUSHING
The brushing process is applied after planing. Brushing creates a beautifully textured surface with a lot of ‘depth’. Light brushing enhances the stain and gives it a rich, 3-dimensional profile, whereas course brushing offers a similar effect but also adds a rustic character, similar to rough sawn yet more precise.
Finishing is often referred to as staining, where stain is sprayed and brushed onto the textured surface. Some examples of finish include, but are not limited to, coloured stain, clear coating, and UV protectant. We also offer specialty surface treatments, such as charcoaling (ShuSougiBan), distressing and pre-aging. Some Mass Timber products, such as Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and beams are often best left unfinished, leaving the wood natural. This maximizes the benefits of indoor air quality, moisture management and sound attenuation. Unfinished also allows the wood to give off beautiful and healthy scents in the room. Furthermore, it saves cost and leaves the least possible negative imprint on the environment.
WoodPecker can advise which finish works best for each specific application and whether an unfinished product would be the best solution or not.Our in-house staining machine applies the stain using latest technology to create a high-quality consistent finish. Each board is flooded with stain through several nozzles on all 4 sides, then back brushed with eight individually adjustable rotating brushes to ensure proper saturation of the stain. We also machine stain Tongue & Groove trim and fascia, siding, cladding as well as decking materials. A two-coat application is standard but that can be adjusted to specific requirements.
WoodPeckeruses “Sansin” low VOC products, because of their unique water-borne technology that uses nature’s own ingredients – such as resins and gums from the heartwood of trees to deliver long lasting, sustainable protection. We also chose Sansin water-based products instead of solvent based stains because they’re bad for the environment and a health hazard to employees.
The finishing process is applied within our finishing shop, which eliminates exposure to radical weather conditions, providing the added benefit of full curing in a controlled environment
Installation is the final step and it requires proper planning in order to ensure installation accuracy and work efficiency.
The selection of surface finishing is very important and is often quite personal. The Timber Frame elements define the general overall “look and feel” of the structure, but the surface finishing makes the project unique and customizes it to the client’s desire. There are many possibilities and options to choose from and WPTF takes the time needed to educate our clients, so that they can make the right surface finishing choice. The physical surface of the timber is the base for which texturing and finishing is applied.
The texture of the surface can be rough sawn, planed, sanded or brushed, to which the final finish is applied. The following details describe these various surface textures:
Rough Sawn:
Timbers are taken from the lumber yard “as is”, which means that saw marks are still visible and the timbers have a rough surface. They may have fork lift and saw mill claw marks, and they are often not square. Colours can vary significantly between the timbers, depending on how they were stored, and some customers really like this surface because of the rustic appearance.
We do not recommend rough sawn timbers because they are very un-predictable in their outcome and we cannot take responsibility for such. In order to achieve a similar rustic look, we recommend course brushing the timbers. This process is explained further down in this section.
Planing:
Rough sawn timbers are seasoned in our yard in order to bring the moisture content down, the timbers also change their shape and discolor. To get rid of the discoloration and make them square, we run them through our 4-sided CNC precision planer to create our base finish.
Sanding:
Sanding process is applied to timbers after they’ve been planed. This takes out the slightest planer marks and brings up the fibers to improve stain absorption. This process also increases the longevity of the stain or clear coat applied afterwards.
Brushing:
Brushing process is applied after planing. Brushing creates a beautifully textured surface with a lot of ‘depth’. Light brushing enhances the stain and gives it a rich, 3-dimensional profile, whereas course brushing offers a similar effect but also adds a rustic character, similar to rough sawn yet more precise.
Installation is the final step and it requires proper planning in order to ensure installation accuracy and work efficiency.
Installation requires that our project management team be involved even before the design and drafting process begins. A survey tool known as a “total station” is used to take measurements that survey every strategically important point for new builds from foundation up, or for integration into an existing building. With these measurements we create a 3D model, called an ‘as-built’ of the current stage of construction. This process sets us apart from many other timber framing companies, who design and build their timber frames off of the drawings provided by their customer. By starting a project off in this way we are preparing for the installation before anything actually ships.
Prior to shipping, our project managers work together with your General Contractor or site Foreman to make sure that the site is ready for delivery when it is time for installation. The installation sequence is coordinated with them and the proper lifting equipment needed is determined. WoodPecker uses their own installation and lifting equipment which avoids having to rely on independent rental companies and allows us to keep the installation process on time and on budget. Optionally, we can use site cranes and heavy equipment provided on large construction sites.
The selection of surface finishing is very important and is often quite personal. The Timber Frame elements define the general overall “look and feel” of the structure, but the surface finishing makes the project unique and customizes it to the client’s desire. There are many possibilities and options to choose from and WPTF takes the time needed to educate our clients, so that they can make the right surface finishing choice. The physical surface of the timber is the base for which texturing and finishing is applied.
The texture of the surface can be rough sawn, planed, sanded or brushed, to which the final finish is applied. The following details describe these various surface textures:
Rough Sawn:
Timbers are taken from the lumber yard “as is”, which means that saw marks are still visible and the timbers have a rough surface. They may have fork lift and saw mill claw marks, and they are often not square. Colours can vary significantly between the timbers, depending on how they were stored, and some customers really like this surface because of the rustic appearance.
We do not recommend rough sawn timbers because they are very un-predictable in their outcome and we cannot take responsibility for such. In order to achieve a similar rustic look, we recommend course brushing the timbers. This process is explained further down in this section.
Planing:
Rough sawn timbers are seasoned in our yard in order to bring the moisture content down, the timbers also change their shape and discolor. To get rid of the discoloration and make them square, we run them through our 4-sided CNC precision planer to create our base finish.
Sanding:
Sanding process is applied to timbers after they’ve been planed. This takes out the slightest planer marks and brings up the fibers to improve stain absorption. This process also increases the longevity of the stain or clear coat applied afterwards.
Brushing:
Brushing process is applied after planing. Brushing creates a beautifully textured surface with a lot of ‘depth’. Light brushing enhances the stain and gives it a rich, 3-dimensional profile, whereas course brushing offers a similar effect but also adds a rustic character, similar to rough sawn yet more precise.
Quality Control is a key part in our business. Right from the start, shop drawings don’t move into production until they have been reviewed and verified by a second technical drafts person.
Once a project goes into production, every piece is checked after each and every step, before it moves on to the next step. At the final stage of shipping, the controller/shipper checks the completeness of each package to ensure that nothing is missing and then signs off on the package before it gets shipped. This includes fasteners, plugs and connectors, to ensure the project has everything needed for assembly on site.
The shipping department ensures that all timbers and components are properly protected before being loaded for shipment. Components are bundle wrapped with steel banding and protective paper to avoid damaging the timbers. The bundles are then collectively wrapped under tarp or individually wrapped, depending on the size of the components.
Smaller projects are shipped to site via our WoodPecker company trucks and trailers, while large projects are shipped by highway trucks.
Although the connections can be quite different from a traditional timber frame structure, the actual process is quite similar. As in traditional Timber Frame structures, our technical drafting team produces drawings for the Mass Timber project. Before commencing with drawings, we always encourage our clients to choose the option of “on-site measuring’. This approach requires our drafting technologists take as-built measurements on site with a total station, a sophisticated measuring tool used by surveyors. This approach assures the Mass Timber structure is built accurately to fit the foundation or steel structure that it is being attached to. This approach assures the structure is installed in the shortest possible timeframe and reduces the chances of un-foreseen complications.
Should the customer opt out of the site measuring option, the shop drawings will be produced based on the provided dimensions on the architectural drawings.Unfortunately, this often creates time consuming and costly issues down the road. Site measuring does delay the initial starting of the installation, but it usually pays back many-fold in time and cost savings in the total picture.
After our technical department has produced working drawings, they are reviewed by the engineer and customer for sign off and approval. Once approved, the drawings are sent to our shop production team. Depending on the type of joinery required, the dimensions, and the type of Glulam or CLT needed for the project, the type of joinery will be determined for production.
At this stage, production and material cutting can begin. Componentsare mostly CNC cut to exacting tolerances including rabbets and dados for splines and any required penetrations for doors, windows, mechanical, electrical and plumbing runs. Our multi axis, Robot Drive CNC machine and the vast skills of our team apply all the joinery required.
With traditional timber frame structures there are several considerations which influence whether a joint is hand cut or CNC machined, whereas with Mass Timber MT this decision is primarily based on the joint design required and the component dimension.
Although our Robot Drive CNC machine has very few limitations, when it comes to the complexity of joints and beam dimensions, there are a few exceptions. In those cases, our team of skilled timber framers jump in to create the specific joints that our machine cannot manage.
Often times with Mass Timber the type of joinery is driven by the structural engineering requirements. Although traditional joinery can be used for simpler and smaller Mass Timber structures, pre-engineered slide-together connectors with fasteners or custom steel connectors often replace those traditional joints. In most cases they are stronger but also, they can be engineered more reliably. In addition, steel cables and bracing are often used to compliment the joints for Mass Timber structures.
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