Posts by Laila Innus
Recreating Broken or Missing Handles
A frequent request in the CNC shop is whether we can replicate broken (or missing) handles. Usually, these requests come from people with antique or heritage items, like historical guns, treasured heirlooms, or other one-of-a-kind objects. We recently completed an antique gun handle replica for a customer. Here’s the process we went through to create…
Read MoreInterior Wood Panelling Options
Installing wood panelling is a popular way to upgrade a room and add warmth and character to a space. There are a variety of interior wood panelling options, and it’s important to choose the right product for your project. There are a few decisions to make when choosing wood panelling: Difference Between Siding and Panelling Siding…
Read More4 Types of Sawn Wood
When processing logs into planks and dimensional lumber, four main saw patterns can be used: It’s important to understand the difference in saw patterns because the way wood is cut affects its stability and appearance. Flat Sawn (Also called Plain Sawn) Log Cut Surface/Face Grain End Grain Flat sawn is the most common cut pattern…
Read MoreBuying Marine Plywood — What You Need to Know
Marine plywood is a specialty sheet good often used on boats and other outdoor applications. It differs from other plywood by the species of wood, number (and thickness) of layers, and the adhesive used in manufacturing. Marine Plywood Core Marine plywood is made up of many thin layers which reduces voids and large knots in…
Read MoreBest Wood for a Sauna
Saunas (both indoor and stand-alone outdoor buildings) are becoming increasingly popular in Canada. As more Ottawa homeowners design and build saunas, we field many calls asking for recommendations on the best wood to use. Our go-to suggestion is western red cedar, but if someone wants a different species, thermally modified wood is a unique option. …
Read MoreParts of a Staircase
Are you upgrading (or building) a staircase and overwhelmed by the parts and terminology? Below, we break down the two main parts of a staircase and explain each component in detail. Step System The step is comprised of four main components: Stringer: The structural part of the staircase. Tread: The walking surface of a staircase.…
Read MoreWood Texture Options: Rough Sawn, Skip-Dressed, Fresh Sawn, and Dressed
When purchasing lumbers and timbers, you’ll be confronted with wood texture (sometimes called finishing) options. Understanding the difference between rough sawn, fresh sawn, skip-dressed, and dressed lumber might seem overwhelming, but it’s actually very straightforward! Texture Roughness Rough Sawn High Fresh Sawn Medium Skip-dressed Low Dressed None What is rough sawn timber? Sometimes called rough cut…
Read MorePrefinished Wood Siding Guide
If you’re looking to re-side your home with wood, you have two main options: unfinished wood siding or prefinished wood siding. Prefinished siding is popular because it comes with a factory finish, so you don’t need to worry about painting or staining after installation. It’s very easy to install and is warranted for up…
Read MoreHow to Match Gingerbread Trim
There are over 7,500 properties listed in Ottawa’s heritage register, with many of the homes in the Victorian or Carpenter Gothic style. While these homes are undoubtedly beautiful, a problem homeowners of these heritage buildings often face is how to match deteriorating (or missing) gingerbread trim. You could try to replicate the trim by hand…
Read MoreUnfinished Wood Siding Guide
When it comes to choosing wood siding, there are a lot of options. First and foremost, you have to decide if you want to install unfinished siding or go with prefinished siding. For this article, we’re focusing exclusively on unfinished options. Learn about prefinished options in our article: Prefinished Wood Siding Guide. There are three…
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