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 MoreInstalling 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…
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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…
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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 MoreSaunas (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. …
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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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When it comes to the best wood for an Ottawa deck, there are three main options: Western Red cedar, Ipe, and Red Batu. Any of these woods would be an excellent choice for your deck, and often the decision comes down to personal preference and budget considerations. Cedar Western red cedar is the classic decking…
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Are you looking to stain your wood decking? High-quality decking stains protect and maintain (or enhance!) the natural look of wood. But, with so many options available on the market, it can be difficult to decide which finish is best for your project. We’re here to help by highlighting the benefits of CUTEK wood oil…
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Red Batu hardwood is an increasingly popular exterior decking wood. Not only is it beautiful to look at but it’s durable in harsh weather conditions: a winning combination! Red Batu is similar to other hardwoods like Ipe, and can be used in place of composite or synthetic decking. In addition to decks, Red Batu can…
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Are you installing a western red cedar deck? Cedar is an incredibly durable building material that’s naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insects. To keep your deck looking great for years to come, follow these four steps: Properly prepare the deck surface Choose the right finish Apply finish like a pro Maintain the deck surface…
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When working with dressed Douglas Fir, either inside or outside, you’ll want to protect the wood by properly finishing it. We talked to our experts to compile the top four tips on how to properly finish your Douglas Fir lumber: 1. Wait for Lumber to Dry In order for stain or other finish to properly soak…
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Western red cedar is a popular material for interior and exterior applications, and rightfully so. It’s durable, sustainable, and beautiful. Cedar is also versatile because the wood is sorted based on a number of criteria, so you can choose the right grade for your project (and budget). One of the ways that cedar is categorized…
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The most common question we hear is, how much will it cost? But when it comes to composite decking costs, it’s hard to give a definitive answer. Relatively, composite is less expensive than PVC, but more expensive than wood. There are also a number of companies manufacturing composite decking – and each brand has multiple…
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For homeowners thinking about installing their first deck, it can be confusing to make sense of all the decking options – especially when it comes to PVC vs composite decking. At first glance, they seem fairly similar, but there are some key differences between the two. PVC Composite Made of 100% synthetic material Made from…
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You’ve made the decision to go with a composite decking product, and have even narrowed it down to TimberTech – but now what? The next step is to decide between the different TimberTech lines and figure out which one is right for your project. Three TimberTech Product Lines TimberTech organizes their decking products into three…
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There are a lot of decking options out there and it can be overwhelming to understand the difference between products. If you read our article about TimberTech lines, you know that the TimberTech brand offers three distinct levels of products: Azek, Pro and Edge. TimberTech further breaks down its products into collections: TimberTech Azek –…
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Trex has become synonymous with composite decking – and with good reason – they produce a quality product and continually innovate. Trex has been supplying decking material for almost three decades and has become the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking products. 3 Trex Collections Over the years, Trex has added to their product line…
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Pressure-treated, cedar, composite and PVC are all common decking materials – but what do you know about thermally modified wood decking? If you’re like most people, probably not much. Pyrolysis is the process of heating wood to over 400°F (180 °C) in the absence of oxygen. This process completely removes moisture and changes the chemical…
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Live edge slabs make beautiful tables and countertops; however, they are suspectable to warping and cupping. The best way to keep a slab flat is to properly prepare the surface and install a c-channel. Expect Expansion and Contraction All wood has moisture in it, and as the moisture evaporates, the wood will physically change shape.…
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