Our Wood

From a craftsman perspective, Hickory is one of the most challenging North American wood species to work with. Seasonal availability, extreme hardness and considerable variability in grain pattern are just a few of the reasons most manufacturers don’t pay much attention to hickory, or stay away from it all together. However, despite these challenges, our craftsmen have developed a deep love and appreciation for Hickory. Its beautiful tight grain and myriad of dramatic and flowing grain patterns, make for a truly unique hardwood floor.

Contrary to popular belief, not all oaks are created equal. That’s why we have selected American White Oak as our preferred species. Commonly known as White Oak, it is the most sought after of the oaks due to its consistent cream to light beige colour, high degree of stability, and a versatility that is unparalleled by any other wood species. Our artisans love working with White Oak because there are so many interesting things that can be done with it. From fuming, staining and glazing that can transform it into countless shades and colours.

Black Walnut ranks as the most sought-after hardwood because of its rich, dark colour and beautifully figured grain. In fact, the unique grain and colour tend to put it on an equal footing with rare and expensive tropical hardwoods, which led to its title of “American Exotic”. Perhaps that’s why Rolls Royce and Bentley choose it for the custom millwork in their exotic cars and why it’s a standard fixture among the world’s most luxurious yachts. Our artisans love working with Black Walnut because it is inspiring to be around something so beautiful.

Genuine reclaimed Heart Pine has been crafted out of 100 year old beams and decking salvaged from historic buildings across rural America. Through the laborious and time-consuming process of reclaiming, CRAFT's artisans are able to restore, by hand, this wonderful resource. Through numerous painstaking techniques, our craftsmen are committed to taking America’s Heart Pine, now all but gone from its native forests, and giving it a new life. Preserving a moment in time from the past, so it can be cherished for generations to come.

When we started crafting floors well over a decade ago, Knotty Alder was the only wood we used. We loved it then because it was a beautiful closed grain wood, making it great for staining and finishing. And we still admire the way the knots grow soundly and flow together with the rest of the wood's grain. Visually, the grain flows around the solid knots in such a way as to create a feeling of being rustic and elegant all at the same time. That’s why we consider it to be the wood-of-choice for upscale rustic applications such as high-end cottages, chalets and residences with a craftsman motif.