Economy and Ecology
Claude Lord understands the need for conservation and the responsible management of our resources.
Selective harvesting enhances new, natural growth. Cedar's durability and weatherability is maximized when used as exterior cladding or roofing material. What better way to immortalize the stately white and red pines than incorporating them into a timber structure that can be enjoyed for centuries? In Claude's opinion, to turn these majestic trees into chips for engineered wood is the ultimate waste of this beautiful natural resource.
Sometimes a special touch such as fine exotic wood inlay or 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 on the south by the Rainy Lakes Watershed. Here private operators have earned recognition from the 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 x 16 and lengths of up to 36 feet. Insect damaged trees and blow downs are always considered first. Maturity and hindrance to new growth are also prime criteria.
Signature
Although you will find innovation at every turn, Claude Lord's signature is definitely in the roof.
Claude utilizes a system commonly found in commercial, flat steel deck roof applications. The structure and roof deck is exposed, sandwiching the insulation, which prevents moisture-laden air from collecting and condensing, thus eliminating the need for ventilation.
Result: a highly insulated, thin roof system that looks great and exposes the structure of your ceilings throughout, giving you a sense of security and the timelessness of timber. Carpenters love them because they are built from the bottom up, therefore no upside-down insulating, ceiling finishing and, best of all, no callbacks for condensation and poor insulation, a common problem in conventional truss cathedral ceilings.