FII, commonly known as Canadian Wood in India, operates as a crown corporation managed by the government of British Columbia, the westernmost province of Canada. It promotes Canadian Wood species and products such as fenestration, furniture products and technologies in international markets. It is an industry leader in promoting sustainability and the using environmentally friendly building materials in the construction sector along with encouraging green building practices. The organisation also offers technical support to projects that focus on environmental preservation.
Canadian Wood organises seminars and workshops to educate and train its audience such as architects, designers, builders, developers, and project owners. These sessions focus on sharing best practices in manufacturing and information on certification, sustainability and legality of imported wood with architects/designers; builders/developers, project owners and managers including the selection of the appropriate species and grades for specific applications They also help guide the selection of the right wood species and grades for specific building applications.
Certifications of Canadian Wood species
Canadian Wood products are certified by global organisations like PEFC and FSC, which shows Canada’s dedication to responsible forestry. These certifications are important because they help fight deforestation and habitat loss, which in turn helps reduce the carbon footprint and fight climate change. For consumers and manufacturers who care about the environment, these certifications offer peace of mind, encouraging responsible buying choices and ensuring that wood resources will be available for future generations.
Types of Canadian Wood species
Canadian Wood is a collection of five main species: Western Hemlock, Douglas-fir, Yellow Cedar, Western Red Cedar, and SPF (Spruce-Pine-Fir). Each of these species has its special characteristics, making them useful for various uses, whether in construction or for remanufactured products.
Western Hemlock
Western Hemlock is known for its smooth texture and straight, even grain. After it’s properly kiln-dried, it becomes resistant to decay, stable, and strong. These qualities make it perfect for indoor furniture, interior fittings, mouldings, and general construction. Its even grain also makes it easy to machine, so it’s a great choice for a variety of applications.
Douglas-fir
Douglas-fir is famous for its strength and lightness, which is why it’s a top choice for heavy structural work like post and beam construction. It’s also used in glue-laminated beams (glulam), roofing structures, doors, door frames, and millwork, where both strength and visual appeal matter. Its strength-to-weight ratio makes it a reliable material for projects that require durability and aesthetic value.
Yellow Cedar
Yellow Cedar is a naturally durable wood that holds up well against the elements and insects. With its fine texture and straight grain, people often use it in marine settings, such as for making oars and marine pilings, as well as for shingles and decorative panelling. Its structural grades also make it suitable for outdoor applications such as doors, door frames, window frames, outdoor furniture, pergolas, cladding, decking, and landscaping—blending beauty with lasting durability.
Western Red Cedar
Known as one of the lightest woods with natural strength, Western Red Cedar is superb at resisting rot, termites, and decay. It’s a popular choice for outer projects like roofing shingles, siding, decking, cladding, and outdoor furniture. It’s also great for pergolas, gazebos, and greenhouses. This Canadian Wood species has a rich colour and soft texture making it ideal for interior design as well, including panelling, furniture, and cabinetry.
SPF (Spruce-Pine-Fir)
SPF consists of three species—Engelmann Spruce, Lodgepole Pine, and Subalpine Fir—that grow together and people harvest and process as a group. This wood boasts a high strength-to-weight ratio and a rigid structure, which is why builders commonly use it for framing and construction projects. The superior glueing properties and high-stress rating make the Canadian Wood species usable for furniture, packaging, crating, pelleting etc.
How Canada ensures responsible wood harvesting
All Canadian Wood species are harvested legally from forests that are responsibly managed and certified by internationally recognized standards. The Canadian forestry industry goes above and beyond by planting three times as many trees as it harvests each year, helping to protect the environment and maintain biodiversity. This commitment means that even though Canada is a major exporter of softwood lumber and environmentally friendly building materials, deforestation is never a concern.
Canadian Wood at the Indiawood Trade Fair 2025
Taking forward its goal of sustainability, Canadian Wood is excited to take part in the Indiawood Trade Fair from March 6-9, 2025, at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, Delhi/NCR. They’ll be setting up a 160 sqm island stall that’s open on three sides, displaying a variety of environmentally friendly products such as furniture, and building materials made from Canadian Wood species. The stall will also feature Canadian suppliers from British Columbia, who will be there to connect with Indian buyers throughout the fair. Additionally, these suppliers follow strict responsible forest management and fair-trade practices, making sure that Canadian Wood meets top environmental and ethical standards. This is all part of Canadian Wood’s ongoing focus on sustainability and supporting local communities through fair and responsible trade.
Parallel Hotel, Udaipur: Modern luxury meets sustainable design with Canadian Wood species
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