Our Approach

Utilizing a controlled environment to enhance quality & promote manufacturing efficiency.

Explore Our Process

Design
Planning
Prefab
Assembly

Design

Absolute Precision = Peace of Mind

Utilizing the world’s premier software for timber specific design, we are able to design 3D walkthroughs of your project, calculate sun angles, determine insulation values and much more. Our project proficiency in using this system gives us the confidence to conceptualize, design and build within our quality-controlled facility and then ship and install anywhere in the world.

Our skilled team of designers can create any custom timber piece you require and are also happy to work in conjunction with your structural engineer or architect to incorporate timber solutions into your project aspirations. Whether you require a new design or seek to incorporate timber into a previously designed, and/or already constructed building, our experienced team of timber specialists is ready to make your visions a reality.

Planning

A great deal of the day-to-day at STW revolves around planning. As a Design/Build firm, we can create shapes and spaces from your vision. Virtual Build Planning happens in our house, allowing people to see the finished project before it hits the cutting floor.

Thoughtful construction takes time. Regardless of scope, each package is processed to project/site specific requirements and is subject to the same inherent planning process.

Design, Engineering
Every timber and panel package has site-specific design and engineering, as snow loads, wind loads, etc. affect building design. STW packages include Stamped drawings, and Schedules (letters of assurance) from our engineer.

Material Selection / Procurement
Timbers are graded to match design and engineering intent. STW works with a variety of suppliers, giving us the flexibility to pull the best fiber from many locations throughout BC. We also work with a specialty drying facility operating a Radio Frequency Kiln. This is special technology extracting moisture but maintaining structural integrity. This step reduces checking and distortion, which occurs as timbers dry naturally.

Processing / Panelizing / Handcrafting / Steel integration / Staining
Timelines for this step vary directly by project scope and size. We pre-fabricate at our facility as much as possible to ensure quality control and manage material waste. This approach saves many hours of on-site work.

Packaging / Delivery / Installation
STW will either conduct installation or we send a lead representative with all our packages to ensure the best possible results. The knowledge gained on the cutting floor follows to the site.

Pre-fabrication

Why build offsite? Traditional home construction takes place on site where unprotected materials are custom cut and assembled – an often risk-inherent process that hasn't changed much in many years. Through years of timber framing experience, we realized fabricating our components in a controlled environment helps eliminate variables and deliver better end products. The more work we do at our manufacturing facility, the more we mark improvements on waste, flow and condition of materials, worker safety, and overall quality. We also lower the risk of Canada’s weather-related adversity, and decrease the daily energy consumed to get to and from various building sites. STW can transform the manufacturing process, decreasing time and costs. Prefabricating is definitely a win scenario.

Assembly

Assembly - the fun part! A fun moment to see the pieces come together and end as a structure. Virtual Build Planning combined with knowledge and experience make this process happen in days rather than weeks or months.