Ecology and Economy

Claude Lord understands the need for conservation and the responsible use of our resources. To turn a stately white pine into chips for engineered wood would be like grinding your racehorse into dog food.

Responsible management is key. Selective harvesting enhances new, natural growth. What better way to immortalize the stately, mature White and Red Pines than to incorporate it into a timber structure that can be enjoyed for centuries. What better way to maximize cedar’s durability and weatherability than to use it as exterior cladding and roofing material. Sometimes a special touch such as fine exotic wood inlay or a precious stone on a special place sets off the beauty of our wonderful local materials.

Claude’s favorite source for timbers is the vast forest region bordered on the west by Lake of the Woods, and to the south by the Rainy Lakes Watershed, where private operators earned the recognition by MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources), officials for management practices ensuring sustainability for generations to come. Timbers and planking are custom selected and cut to sizes up to 16”x16”, and lengths of up to 32 feet. Insect damaged, and blow downs are always considered first. Maturity and the hindrance to new growth are also prime criteria.

Signature

Although you will find innovative application at every turn, Claude Lord’s signature is definitely in the roof. What do these to roofs have in common? They are built-up, sandwiched roofs; a system commonly used in commercial, flat steel deck roof applications. They expose the structure and the roof deck, sandwiching the insulation, which eliminates the chance of moisture-laden air to collect and condense, therefore do not require ventilation.

Result: a highly insulated, thin roof system that looks great and exposes the structure throughout your ceilings, giving you a sense on security and the timelessness of timber. Carpenters love them as they are built from the bottom up, therefore no upside-down insulation, ceiling finishing, and best of all, no callbacks for condensation and poor insulation (which is common in conventional truss cathedral ceilings.)