Wooden wings of success

Canadian Timberframes Ltd. has found a way to utilize the plentiful Douglas fir in the area

Canadian Timberframes Ltd. works with developers to design dream homes. — Photo courtesy Canadian Timberframes Ltd.

Canadian Timberframes Ltd., a timberframe company in Golden, B.C. supplies more than 100 timberframes per year across North America. Pat Soles, one of the owners of the company, has made his career in the forestry industry and spent many years running various sawmills and logging operations. When the company started in 1999, Soles said many people with different skill sets came together to make Canadian Timberframes a reality. Today, Soles, his brother Brett and Pierre Lussier are the three owners of the company.

Canadian Timberframes currently employs 11 people and it has been involved with numerous projects, ranging from something as simple as a shed to a high-value resort property.

“We have done a lot of construction at Kicking Horse (Mountain Resort) in Golden and we have products in Revelstoke (Mountain) Resort,” said Soles. “We have a frame in Ireland, several in Alaska and we have worked with companies where our product has ended up in Hawaii—we have spread our wings fairly far in 10 years.”

One aspect that is unique to Canadian Timberframes is the fact that the company uses only the quality Douglas fir around the area.

“We have good quality Douglas fir wood in this area,” said Soles. “It is a very durable, strong wood and it is in demand for timberframe construction.”

Soles said Canadian Timberframes main clients are builders and developers as they create timberframes, but not the finished product. In the future, Soles hopes to market and build relationships with other developers. Thus far, this is how the company has sold its product, which has resulted in numerous partnerships.

“We have sold most of our product through other timberframe companies,” said Soles. “Some we have helped start up and they have been our marketing arm, so we have authorized representatives in different areas. For example, we have Elk River Mountain Homes in Fernie and we have several in the United States as well.”