Author: Stacey

Earth Day 2025- Power of Collective Action

Posted on by Stacey

The first Earth Day was marked on April 22, 1970. Over 20 million Americans participated, with peaceful gatherings in thousands of communities and at tens of thousands of schools. These protests riveted the attention of political leaders in the US and Canada and convinced them that they had to take action to save the environment.

In 1970, factories were free to spew lead and mercury-laced smoke into the sky and dump poison, paint and oils directly into the closest waterway. Lethal, persistent, radioactive, and cancer-causing waste could simply be poured into rusty steel barrels and dropped into the ocean or thrown into unlined pits, some near community water sources. There were no laws to stop it, and no one was held to account for the harms that inevitably followed.

I was a boy, 9 years old, living in Windsor, Ontario and I remember the power of the moment. Someone had built a giant casket at Riverside Park and boats were placing wreaths in the water of the Detroit River, marking its ecological death. A few miles downriver, Lake Erie had become a sewage and chemical cesspool and was also considered dead. Thousands of us, Canadians and Americans, lined the river to be part of that first Earth Day. My parents were simple blue-collar types, not hippies or college students but this made them into activists.

The environmental crisis was so terrible that something had to change.  And it did.

Within 10 years, on both sides of the Detroit River, consequential laws were passed. The US quickly became a global leader in addressing pollution.

  • The Clean Air Act,
  • The Water Quality Improvement Act,
  • The Water Pollution and Control Act Amendments,
  • The Resource Recovery Act,
  • The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act,
  • The Toxic Substances Control Act,
  • The Occupational Safety and Health Act,
  • The Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act,
  • The Safe Drinking Water Act,

These far-sighted reforms benefitted public health, renewed environmental resources, increased worker productivity and provided consumer savings. Together, they provided over $9 dollars of value for every dollar spent on reducing pollution.

It may surprise you to know that it was Republican President, Richard Nixon, who spearheaded the bipartisan adoption of these laws and who established the EPA. He understood that protecting the environment was intimately connected with the health and prosperity of future generations.

“It is a cause of particular concern to young Americans, because they more than we will reap the grim consequences of our failure to act on programs which are needed now if we are to prevent disaster later. Clean air, clean water, open spaces—these should once again be the birthright of every American.”

April 22, 1970, shaped my outlook and still echoes though my life. That first Earth Day also proved that collective, grassroots action can make a difference. A lot has changed since then, many crises like acid rain and ozone depletion were resolved, but many new and increasingly complex threats continue to emerge. I hope a new generation will re-discover the power of peacefully taking to the streets.

Celebrating International Day of Forests

Posted on by Stacey

On this International Day of Forests, we at Cornerstone Timberframes take a moment to honour the vital role that forests play in our world. They are not just a source of beauty; they are essential to our planet’s health. Forests provide habitat for countless species, help mitigate climate change, and are a source of sustainable materials that we rely on in our construction practices.

As a company deeply rooted in the timber industry, we recognize the responsibility that comes with utilizing forest resources. Our commitment to sustainability drives every aspect of our work, ensuring that we protect and nurture the forests we depend on. Here’s how we contribute to sustainable and earth-friendly practices:

1. Sustainable Sourcing and FSC Certification: We prioritize sourcing timber from responsibly managed forests, with a strong commitment to sustainability validated by our FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. FSC certification ensures that our materials come from forests that are managed according to rigorous environmental and social standards, supporting both the ecosystem and local communities.

2. Efficient Use of Resources: Our timber framing techniques are designed to minimize waste. By maximizing every piece of timber and creatively utilizing by-products, we reduce our environmental impact and make the most of our materials.

3. Carbon Sequestration: Wood is a remarkable material that naturally sequesters carbon, helping to offset greenhouse gas emissions. By choosing timber construction, we contribute to the fight against climate change, creating structures that not only shelter but also enhance the environment.

4. Innovative Practices: We invest in cutting-edge technologies that promote efficiency and sustainability in our production processes. From using CNC machines for precise cuts to adopting eco-friendly finishing techniques, including low VOC stain, our approach is anchored in innovation that supports a greener future.

As we celebrate International Day of Forests, we invite you to join us in reflecting on the importance of our forests and our collective role in protecting them. Together, we can build a sustainable future that honours the natural world.

At Cornerstone Timberframes, we are dedicated to leading the way in environmentally friendly construction, ensuring that our buildings are not only beautiful but also beneficial for the planet.

Here’s to our forests – may we protect and cherish them for years to come!

Embracing the Light: The Role of Window Walls in Mass Timber Construction

Posted on by Stacey

At Cornerstone Timberframes, we believe in incorporating natural elements into our spaces, with wood and natural light serving as key features of a well-designed environment. 

As we continue our journey in mass timber construction, we are excited to explore the significant role that window walls play in enhancing the beauty, sustainability, and functionality of our projects.

 

Photo Credit

The Power of Natural Light

Natural light holds a unique charm; it can elevate our mood and foster a connection with the world outside. By integrating large window walls into our spaces, we welcome the outdoors inside and let sunlight fill the interiors of our timber structures. This harmonious combination of wood and glass creates warm, inviting environments that encourage relaxation and promote a sense of comfort and well-being.

Boosting Energy Efficiency

In today’s world, efficiency is essential. Window walls provide a fantastic opportunity to reduce energy consumption by maximizing natural daylight. This leads to decreased reliance on artificial lighting during the day, resulting in substantial cost savings estimated between 20% and 50%. Additionally, when enhanced with advanced glazing options, window walls in mass timber buildings can help regulate indoor temperatures, creating more comfortable spaces and lowering heating and cooling costs.

Connecting Inside and Out

One of the most compelling features of window walls is their ability to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces, which is particularly significant for commercial buildings. They offer stunning views and foster a sense of connection to nature, enhancing our daily lives. The natural beauty of mass timber complements these visual connections, enveloping occupants in comfort and serenity. They provide breathtaking views and create a sense of connection to nature that can profoundly enhance our daily lives. 

As we continue to explore the possibilities of mass timber construction, we are excited about the transformative impact that window walls can bring to our designs. By combining expansive glass features with the natural beauty of wood, we create inviting spaces that enhance both the occupant experience and environmental stewardship.  

 

Celebrating International Day of Forests

Posted on by Stacey

On this International Day of Forests, we at Cornerstone Timberframes take a moment to honour the vital role that forests play in our world. They are not just a source of beauty; they are essential to our planet’s health. Forests provide habitat for countless species, help mitigate climate change, and are a source of sustainable materials that we rely on in our construction practices.

As a company deeply rooted in the timber industry, we recognize the responsibility that comes with utilizing forest resources. Our commitment to sustainability drives every aspect of our work, ensuring that we protect and nurture the forests we depend on. Here’s how we contribute to sustainable and earth-friendly practices:

1. Sustainable Sourcing and FSC Certification: We prioritize sourcing timber from responsibly managed forests, with a strong commitment to sustainability validated by our FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. FSC certification ensures that our materials come from forests that are managed according to rigorous environmental and social standards, supporting both the ecosystem and local communities.

2. Efficient Use of Resources: Our timber framing techniques are designed to minimize waste. By maximizing every piece of timber and creatively utilizing by-products, we reduce our environmental impact and make the most of our materials.

3. Carbon Sequestration: Wood is a remarkable material that naturally sequesters carbon, helping to offset greenhouse gas emissions. By choosing timber construction, we contribute to the fight against climate change, creating structures that not only shelter but also enhance the environment.

4. Innovative Practices: We invest in cutting-edge technologies that promote efficiency and sustainability in our production processes. From using CNC machines for precise cuts to adopting eco-friendly finishing techniques, including low VOC stain, our approach is anchored in innovation that supports a greener future.

As we celebrate International Day of Forests, we invite you to join us in reflecting on the importance of our forests and our collective role in protecting them. Together, we can build a sustainable future that honours the natural world.

At Cornerstone Timberframes, we are dedicated to leading the way in environmentally friendly construction, ensuring that our buildings are beautiful and beneficial for the planet.

Here’s to our forests – may we protect and cherish them for years to come!

2024: A Year of Growth & Achievement

Posted on by Stacey

As 2024 draws to a close, it’s a perfect time to reflect on an extraordinary year for Cornerstone Timberframes. This year has been nothing short of transformative, filled with remarkable projects, personal celebrations, and significant achievements that highlight our collective growth as a company and as individuals.

In our production and finishing shops, we successfully brought to life an impressive array of projects, each showcasing the craftsmanship and dedication of our team. Among them were the Borys Cottage, Shoal Lake A-Frames, Southeast Event Centre, Churchill Wild, Perimeter Air Terminal Expansion, and the Minnewasta Clubhouse. These projects, along with countless others, have not only expanded our portfolio but also challenged us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in timber frame construction.

Our office was a hub of learning and connection this year. We embarked on a journey of education through Sandler Training and hosted several Lunch & Learn events with top industry leaders. Our Wine & Wood Shop Tours opened our doors to the public, offering a glimpse into our world and the work that we do in the production shop. Even a rain-soaked slow pitch tournament turned into a memorable team-building day at the CSTF shop!

Trade shows and conferences were abundant, providing platforms to share our expertise and learn from others in the industry. Our team made its mark at notable events such as the Portland Mass Timber Conference and Denver Mass Timber Group Summit, where we showcased insights on podcasts, delivered keynotes, and held workshops. Key events in Toronto, including the Wood Works Summit and Mass Timber Conference, further underscored our leadership in timber joinery design.

Beyond the professional sphere, we celebrated deeply personal milestones, with Jake, Matheus, Ben, Kevin, and Bobbi welcoming new babies into their families. These joyful arrivals remind us of what truly matters and inspire us to hold steadfast to our company’s core values of family and community.

Reflecting on the year, a consistent theme emerges: growth through challenge. We have continuously pushed ourselves beyond comfort zones, tackling “hard things” that have fostered team and individual development. Our successes are a testament to the dedication and resilience of the Cornerstone team.

Tanya and Nevin are incredibly grateful for each team member’s commitment to excellence and adaptability in the face of change. It’s because of our team that Cornerstone Timberframes continues to thrive and achieve its ambitious goals.

As we look to the future, let us carry this momentum forward, with the confidence that together, we can build extraordinary structures and enduring legacies!

Cheers to a prosperous 2025! Happy New Year!

May 11th is National Windmill Day

Posted on by Stacey

May 11th is National Windmill Day

Windmills are quite possibly the most interesting buildings made by humans. They reflect our human ingenuity and beautifully display our ability to work cooperatively with nature.  A curious mix of building and machine, windmills are a showcase of math, engineering, and refined carpentry skills!

Plan for the 1972 Steinbach Windmill
At 28 years old, summer 2000.

The Dutch, of course, are famous for windmills and rightly so.  While windmills were built around the world by many civilizations, it was in the Netherlands that they reached their highest point of technological achievement. Today, there are still hundreds of them in the Netherlands, mostly dating from the 1400’s to 1800’s and many are still operating, pumping water, grinding flour, and cutting lumber.

Technology travels well.  The Mennonites who settled in Steinbach, Manitoba in the 1870’s, built a windmill based on knowledge handed down through generations.  It only served a few years before being replaced by a steam powered flour mill. A replica mill, built in 1972 at Mennonite Heritage Village, was destroyed by fire in October 2000. That was a big shock to the community.  Thankfully, the Steinbach windmill was rebuilt over the next year by Cornerstone Timberframes and the Dutch millwright company, Verbij Hoogmade. As you can see in the photos below, it was a fun and challenging project!

Windmills are a joy to see operating, the sails swinging through the sky, wood gears and shafts spinning and the sound of the big millstones grinding wheat into flour. There is a real beauty to be found in things that are well-made and that serve a good purpose.

July of 2001: the windmill tower is up!
August: the 12,000lb cap is installed.
Freshly ground flour is sold every summer at the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach

Of course, windmills need regular maintenance. With so many parts being made of wood, like the Steinbach mill, there is no end to the cycle of painting and refurbishment.

Cornerstone maintains a close connection to our local windmill.  Our technical services leader, Gary Snider, spends many hours a month, checking, lubricating, adjusting, and repairing.

This week we are joined by Gerard Klein and Lucas Verbij, Dutch millwrights who will undertake the specialized work of adjusting the mill’s windshaft and running gear.

Gary checks on the condition of the sails.
The big spur gear up in the cap is a marvel.

Happy Windmill Day! 

Cheers and hats off to the people who keep these magnificent building-machines alive for all of us to enjoy. Head on over to our Instagram to learn more!

Earthrise 2024

Posted on by Stacey

Earthrise 2024

“Earthrise” taken on December 24,1968 by Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders - Public Domain.

A fresh perspective can be life changing. Fifty-five years ago, this image met the crew of Apollo 8 as they orbited the moon. The astronauts were in awe as they scrambled to find a roll of colour film for Bill Ander’s camera.  

The photo that Bill Anders took, shows Earth, set in the vacuum of space above a cratered, lifeless moon surface. How does this image make you feel?  What thoughts does it give rise to, about this planet, about life, and your place in it?

For many, an image like this brings up complex feelings: empathy for Earth, a sense that we don’t get how special our home is, that there must be a way for people to treat each other better, that life is beautiful, so fragile, and rare.

All our individual and collective actions speak to how we view our Earth home.  On balance, it can be argued that our species has been unkind to the living world and the planetary support systems upon which all life depends.  This must change and it’s why we mark Earth Day and consider our role in bringing about positive change.

On a planetary scale, any single action seems trivial, almost worthless.  But if we worked ourselves into trouble by a few billion unwise actions, we must find our way out by billions of responsible actions, no matter how small.  Everyone has a part.  

At Cornerstone Timberframes we’re actively working on several fronts, to bring about positive change.  Here’s our Earth Day update on what we’re doing:

  • In 2017 we started working with mass timber, which allows for a low-embodied carbon approach to commercial construction.  Mass timber also provides for faster construction while storing large amounts of carbon in the finished building. By 2030 we expect that 75% of our projects will be built with mass timber.
  • Our joinery and finishing shops use a lot of electricity – equal to what 44 Manitoba homes need in a year!  We’re preparing to go solar. This will free up power during peak daytime hours for use in homes, businesses and in the transition to EV transportation. 
A second use for roofs: this is what 375 Kilowatts looks like!
Touring a harvest area in the Trout Lake Forest, near Ear Falls, Ontario
  • Last year we changed our purchases of engineered wood products to 100% FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood. This category of wood makes up an increasing share of our production.  FSC sets high standards for preserving the forests that provide the timber we use.
  • In 2024 we’ll be addressing our wood waste stream that currently needs to be hauled away.  We’ll be using it in a high-efficiency boiler to heat our shops, reducing our reliance on electricity, and ending our need for natural gas.
  • Cornerstone encourages employees to carpool or use active transport whenever possible. Uptake for both initiatives has been good, but we can still do better.  Spring is a great time to tune up our bikes and commit to using the car a little less.
  • In March we joined WoodWorks Ontario, the Canadian Wood Council, and the Ontario Forest Industry Association, to visit sawmill and harvest areas in NW Ontario.  What we found was inspiring.  More First Nations are managing forest lands, deciding how the forests are harvested, renewed, and protected for future generations.  The sawmills we visited have more women in leadership roles and more employees from under-represented communities. Welcome changes that move us toward the world we need.

Being good to our planet also brings good things into our lives. Here are a few of our favourite small-scale ideas that Cornerstone employees are working on in their own lives and communities:

  • Volunteering at the community bike repair shop.  Helping more folks get back onto their bikes, or onto their first bike! 
  • Planting fruit trees in our shop yard (apple, cherry, pear…). Beauty and food combined.
  • Replacing more of our lawn with native plantings like highbush cranberry, milkweed, bluestem, gallardia, wild raspberry. It’s amazing how the butterflies find it! 

At Cornerstone Timberframes, we believe in using Earth Day as an opportunity to evaluate our practices and strive towards being better. We hope that this inspires you to do the same!

Inside Our Shops

Posted on by Stacey

Inside Our Shops

Technology, People, Diversity, Respect

Cornerstone’s roots run deep in the soil of traditional timber framing. From the company’s inception in 1991, the founding Peters brothers maintained a steady focus on technical excellence and quality.  Complementing their deep respect for traditional skills and methods, an interest in finding “better tools”, allowed them to see that new materials, digital design and state of the art equipment did not threaten the craft but freed it to be so much more.

Pete & Wayne Peters, timber frame experts and owners, 1991-2015

By the time Cornerstone began its foray into mass timber construction in 2017 it was clear that the company was ready to automate much of its cutting. Under new owners, Tanya (Pete’s daughter) and husband Nevin Bachmeier purchased our first Hundegger K2, a used CNC machine that quickly proved its worth.  Within three years the limitations of this machine were reached and a new, K2 Industry with Robot Drive was ordered, arriving in mid-2022.

The CNC technology in the latest generation of machines is especially impressive for the range of cutting tasks they can perform, their speed and exceptional accuracy.  Imagine a 24” flangeless saw, a 5-axis universal mill, a slot cutting tool, a drilling unit, and a 6-axis robot with access to a rack of 24 specialized tools, all working from a 3D mass timber model that has been checked for compliance with the architect’s BIM design.

The K2i + Robot Drive can do the work of fifteen carpenters with zero errors and millimeter accuracy.
High quality, dimensionally accurate timber is the starting point for every job entering the shop. An automated, four-sided planer designed for large, long timbers is an essential partner to the CNC.
The K2i can handle timbers up to 60’ long, 12” high by 51” wide. Timbers are checked as they enter the K2 to identify and adjust for any variance that might affect connection accuracy.
With long timbers, a traditional forward facing forklift doesn’t work so well. Omni-directional and side-running forklifts have been a great addition to our shop.

A common criticism of modern wood-working technology is that it replaces people and discourages those left behind from retaining craft skills.  Our experience has shown this to be unfounded: we employ the same number of carpenters as we did before our first CNC arrived.  Injuries and repetitive stresses are reduced, and the variety of creative work and skills being learned has only increased. 

Modern timber framers are comfortable with computer modelling, they’re familiar with a wide variety of tools and techniques and are better able to see the whole project.

Our shop is a meritocracy: skill and cooperation lead to personal and group success
And while CNC cutting can do almost everything, there are a few details that still look better when a human hand guides the saw. A 30’ long chamfer, cut at precisely 26.6 degrees.
When every piece is unique but appears similar, good labelling is vital. New RFI tags incorporated into nails may eventually make these labels redundant.
Not automated. Our dedicated finishing shop hand applies three coats of stain to every timber. Robotics for finishing is widely available and will eventually manage the range of sizes and shapes we produce for our structures.

Cornerstone Timberframes will always seek out and embrace “better tools”.  Our choices will be shaped by our people, a respect for our craft and a love of wood.  The mass timber revolution is going to change our company, but only for the better.

Noise in the Neighborhood

Posted on by Stacey

Noise in the Neighborhood

By Gary Snider

While visiting Germany this spring, I found myself standing at a busy intersection, waiting for the pedestrian signal to change.   A large group of motorcycles approached, went past, then accelerated as they cleared the intersection.  It took several seconds before I realized why the experience felt so odd… the motorbikes were all whisper quiet.

The subject of noise came up a few times that week and I learned that the German public has a much different set of expectations around noise than we do in North America.  They see noisemaking like they do littering, it offends the “public good” and is simply not tolerated.  In Germany, the government sets limits on noise and the penalties for those who fail to curtail it are significant. This “no messing around” approach to limiting noise flows into how they build, especially in places where people must live close together.

During a tour of a new apartment building under construction, our host explained, “We never want to hear our neighbours. No one will want to live in a place where footsteps or music can be heard from another apartment.”  

To illustrate this, he went to the unit directly above the one we were in and he jumped repeatedly, landing with as much force as he could. He was not a small person – but we heard nothing. Clearly, something in the design and materials used in this building were making a big difference. (See the blog “Big Wood Wall” for a description of the building system used in this multi-family apartment).

Coming back to Canada, I’m paying more attention to the sounds I hear at home and work.  The neighbour’s idling diesel truck, five doors down, can be heard in my living room.  The concrete plant 100m from my office makes a humming sound that enters even when my office window is tightly sealed.  My noise list is growing and I’m aware that low frequencies have no problem passing through 2×6 walls and even triple-pane windows.

Noise Reduction by Design

If the health benefits1,2 of a low-noise home are important to you, here are four key ingredients you’ll want your designer to include in your plans:

1) Reflect – hard, smooth surfaces bounce sound waves better than soft and textured surfaces. This is a good starting point for the outermost (cladding) layer in your wall assembly.

2) Gap – Sound is a vibration and air is a poor conductor.  By adding an air void behind the cladding, the “survivor” sound, that gets past the reflective layer, has to “jump” through a low-density space.  The means of creating the gap is all-important: small contact surfaces, light connector materials and vibration damping washers and membranes are your key to connecting your exterior cladding to the structure.

3) Absorb – insulating materials in this group are soft and compressible.  They receive the incoming sound vibrations and break them up into smaller waves that bounce repeatedly in a maze of tiny spaces within the material.  Mineral wool and wood fibre insulation are highly effective examples of this type of material.

4) Mass – heavy, solid base materials like a CLT (cross-laminated timber) wall are hard to vibrate, even at low frequencies, and make a good “base layer” in a wall assembly. Sound waves weakened by a journey through the first three barriers have little energy left to shake a dense CLT wall panel.

About CLT’s: They came onto the building scene in North America in 2010 and gained quick acceptance in multi-storey residential construction. They’re precise, strong, go up fast, and make an excellent base for noise deadening walls. And an extra bonus: a CLT wall provides you with nail base everywhere!

Cornerstone Timberframes specializes in sustainable wood products. Our first CLT project was the Eagle’s Nest cottage, built in 2017.  

Ask us about Nordic Structures CLT wall panels, for your next project!

1 Passchier-Vermeer, 2000, “Noise exposure and public health”
2 Babisch W. 2002.  “The Noise Stress Concept”, in Noise Health 5 (18) 1-11

Wood is the Way Forward

Posted on by Stacey

Wood is the Way Forward

Wood is part of a virtuous, circular bio-economy and Canadian forests can play a significant role in our response to climate change.

  • As forests grow, they absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2).  Together with our oceans, they have been our planet’s thermostatic control for eons.

  • When a mature tree is harvested, it makes space for new trees to grow which will capture more carbon.  No carbon capture system humans can devise is as beautiful, simple, or as efficient as a tree.
  • The math: A tree is about 50 percent carbon, by dry weight.  One cubic meter (m3) of softwood weighs 500kg on average, so it will hold 250kg of carbon.  When carbon (atomic weight 12) is oxidized, it picks up two oxygen atoms (atomic weight 16) to become CO2, so every kg of carbon will generate 3.67kg of CO2.  Therefore, a m3 of wood holds nearly a tonne of CO2, 917.5 kg to be exact. (Credit: Arno Frühwald, Univ. of Hamburg)

     

  • Products made with wood extend the storage of carbon for decades and centuries.  Many aesthetically pleasing wood products, like mass timber, will have “after-life” uses in other buildings, furniture, and as feedstock for new engineered wood products.

  • When wood is used in place of concrete, brick, steel or plastic, carbon emissions are significantly reduced.

  • Wood provides a path to a sustainable future. It is the responsible way to build.
Mass timber makes for visually delightful spaces with large carbon storage benefits.