Premium species

All Canwood furniture, except as noted below under Off-Shore Manufactured Collections, is manufactured in SOLID PINE. And not just any pine will do. It must be LODGEPOLE PINE, a hardy slow-growth variety of the pine species which is plentiful in the interior of British Columbia. Lodgepole Pine is characterized by its attractive light colour, small tight knots and ultra fine grain. These characteristics, and excellent machining qualities, suit it ideally to fine furniture. As a matter of interest, Lodgepole was named by the First Nations people. Since it grows straight and tall, is strong and lightweight, it was the perfect material for their winter "lodges".

Optimum moisture content

After drying in our computer-controlled kilns to a moisture content of 8%, the manufacturing process begins in a climate controlled environment which ensures that the finished product will be resistant to cracking and warping.

"Warm amber patina"

One of the other interesting characteristics of Lodgepole Pine is its tendency to mellow over time. In fine antique furniture, the finish is sometimes described as having developed a patina. At Canwood, we refer to this natural aging process as the development of a "warm amber patina". So a customer can be assured that a piece which they buy in six months' time will "catch up" to the piece they are buying today. Or the area that has been concealed under a lamp base, for example, will catch up to the colour of the surrounding area. This beautiful evolution distinguishes a natural product from the paper or foil finishes commonly applied to particle board furniture.

Environmentally sound

At Canwood, we carefully source our pine from producers which follow sound reforestation practices since we want this beautiful raw material to be around for future generations as well. Nature also contributes to the process of regeneration. Pine cones laden with seed drop to the forest floor year after year. It takes a forest fire to begin a new cycle of life. Only when each pine cone reaches 50C. can it burst and free its precious seeds.

Off-shore Manufactured Collections

To supplement our extensive domestic product line, we will from time-to-time add complementary products sourced from manufacturers carefully screened for their commitment to quality, employment of fair labour practices, and utilization of compatible wood species.

The Base Camp Bunk Bed Series, fully designed and specified by Canwood, is manufactured in Vietnam using wood imported from Scandinavian countries that provides a suitable match to our Lodgepole Pine. North American-based agents, with full-time quality technicians resident in Vietnam, are responsible for monitoring production and conducting rigourous quality control tests prior to shipment.

The rate and degree of aging of the off-shore manufactured collections may be somewhat different than the aging of furniture manufactured in Lodgepole Pine.