Wooden framed cottages, furniture and so much more by Canadian Wood, that mesmerise with their variety, quality and aesthetic appeal.
The warm and earthy appeal of wood has always found a special place in India. Many present-day architects/designers, real estate developers and hospitality industry professionals in India are rediscovering wood for its beauty, benefits, and ease of working. Also, the alternative of access to certified wood-like Canadian wood made easily available from sustainably managed forests presents the opportunity to make an eco-conscious choice while meeting the rising demand for wood products in India.
Forestry Innovation Consulting India Pvt. Ltd. (FII), popularly known as Canadian Wood is a crown agency of the government of British Columbia (B.C.) with a mandate to promote B.C. forest products in the offshore markets. Canadian Wood largely promotes 5 wood species namely western hemlock, western red cedar, Douglas-fir, spruce-pine-fir (SPF) and yellow cedar. These species have unique properties making them suitable for a wide range of applications right from furniture (indoor and outdoor) to doors, door frames and windows to wood houses and more.
Today, Canadian Wood species have been successfully used by well-known architects, interior designers, builders & developers across their projects in India showcasing their strength and durability besides aesthetic appeal.
Canadian wood species can be used for the making of wooden cottages even in remote locations or hilly areas. Wood frame houses are one of the most time-tested methods of building with wood in North America, designed to meet local seismic and wind load values. Its unique, all-natural charm is finding increasing acceptance across societies in India as second home/ farmhouse concepts.
The above house was built for display in Mysore with the necessary product and technical assistance provided by FII. It showcased the use of all 5 species of Canadian Wood. SPF was used for structural purposes in the house given the high dimensional stability that makes it the ideal choice for making wooden houses and cottages. Western red cedar was used for cladding and decking purposes in the house given its natural resistance to termite, rot and decay. Also, Western hemlock was extensively used in the house to equip it with eye-catching furniture spread across the living room, bedrooms, dining area and attic. Western hemlock is increasingly being sought by furniture manufacturers and interior designers in India.
This beautiful private villa located at an altitude of 7,500 ft. in Himachal Pradesh is a fine example of a hybrid style of construction that uses wood in tandem with local stone. Douglas-fir was used roped in for all structural uses including trusses, posts-and-beams and rustic flooring. This species of Canadian Wood is highly valued for its strength-to-weight ratio making it the ultimate choice for heavy structural purposes.
The above cottage employed a Double Tongue & Groove style of construction. The structure was displayed at a popular exhibition in Bengaluru in March 2020 for a walk-in experience for visitors. It was prefabricated in a factory and assembled on-site in less than 12 hours!
The double T&G construction due to increased wall thickness displayed strength, stiffness and insulation values thereby making the structure durable. The cottage also showcased doors and door frames in Yellow Cedar – a species known to withstand natural elements and being resistant to termites and decay. Further, the cottage was embellished with furniture made from Western hemlock. The furniture was hand-painted by local artisans with ethnic motifs to suitably complement the natural and earthy appeal of the cottage.
Besides the above Canadian Wood species are widely sought for furniture, wood interiors, outdoor (pergolas, gazebos, cladding and decking) and many other applications like artefacts, saunas etc.
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