Interior wood products and finishes

Photo credit: Bright Photography

Warm and welcoming to live with, wood is one of the few naturally renewable interior products that calm our minds, please our senses and connect us with nature. Interior applications contribute to improved indoor air quality, offer aesthetic beauty and provide health benefits, according to a growing body of research.

With its diversity of wood species from well-managed forests, British Columbia (B.C.) is home to a wide range of companies offering a unique selection of finishing and interior wood products.

Blinds and shutters

Alder, birch, cedar and pine are just a few of the B.C. species wood blinds and shutters are made from. Blinds have horizontal or vertical slats held together by cords. Shutters consist of a panel with movable louvres surrounded by a wooden frame.

Case goods and storage

Case goods are wooden furniture designed for storage, including wall cabinetry, dressers, chests and closet systems. Casings are also the wooden decorative and protective trim found around windows and doors.

The Confluence | Photo credit: Matthew Bolt Photography

Countertops

Wooden countertops are usually constructed from strips or blocks of wood that are glued together. Composite wood products, such as particleboard and medium-density fibreboard (MDF), are also used as substrates for countertops, topped with wood veneer, laminate, stone, or tile for the surface. 

Decorative applications

A variety of B.C. wood species are often used to enhance a building’s interior. From cabinetry handles to mouldings and trim and decorative wall and ceiling panelling, the options are limitless. There are also wood plugs that can conceal fasteners to create a smooth wood finish.

Doors

B.C. softwood and hardwood wood species are often used for exterior doors, interior doors and even garage doors. Frames are frequently made with lumber and then fitted with panels, made of solid wood, engineered wood or glass.

Photo credit: Vicky Lau

Flooring

Hardwood and softwood species are used for wooden flooring. Cut into planks, the wood is stained in various colours and often given a tongue-and-groove profile for easy installation. Engineered wood flooring consists of a panel glued to a plywood underlay, which gives off the appearance of a solid floor.

False Creek Flats Office Buildings | Photo credit: Ed White Photographics

Railing components

Wooden railing components are made of B.C. hardwoods and softwoods, including:

Posts: The vertical supports.
Rails: Horizontal pieces connecting the posts.
Infill: Balusters or spindles installed between the top and bottom rails.
Post caps: Finish on top of posts.

Bella Bella Staff Housing | Photo credit: Jaden Nyberg

Staircases

Wood staircases typically have stringers (the side of the stairs) made of lumber and treads (horizontal surface) and risers (vertical surface) made of boards. Mass timber is also used for staircases. Douglas-fir, western hemlock and yellow cedar are commonly selected B.C. wood species.

KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence | Photo credit: Shawn Talbot

Windows

Window frames are often made with various B.C. wood species. Douglas-fir, western red cedar and pine are all suited for interior and exterior windows.

Whistler Public Library | Photo credit: KK Law

Learn about B.C.’s forest practices

B.C.’s diverse forest landscapes, and their proximity to communities, require forest management practices that uphold environmental, social and good governance principles. Forestry practices and industry – British Columbia, Canada explores how B.C. is managing its forests to meet and exceed international standards.

Get the overview