What We Use (and Why): A Look Inside Our Material Choices

 

This isn’t just about wood. It’s about what goes into your home, what lingers in your air, and what kind of future we’re building—literally. Let’s talk materials.

If you’ve ever cracked open a budget furniture piece and caught a whiff of something sharp and chemical? You’re not imagining things. That’s off-gassing. And it’s everywhere from mystery plywoods to high-gloss finishes and factory cabinets that look great until they start chipping, warping, or stinking up the room.

We’re not into that. That’s why everything we use is certified, sustainable, and low-to-no-VOC (volatile organic compounds). No sketchy coatings. No corner-cutting composites. Just materials that meet our standards (and yours!).

 
 

Things We Use

 

Materials

 

Domestic hardwoods

Our solid wood is harvested according to FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) standards. That means responsibly managed forests, no clear-cutting, and a supply chain that respects both the planet and the people working in it.

 
 

FSC-certified veneers

We use real wood veneers (not plastic photo prints) applied to high-quality cores. Beautiful, sustainable, and efficient.

 
 

Low-emission substrates

We use formaldehyde-free or low-VOC plywood, particleboard, and MDF. These are third-party tested and meet or exceed Canadian and U.S. indoor air quality standards.

 
 

Finishes

 

Rubio Monocoat

A plant-based, zero-VOC hardwax oil finish. It bonds with the wood at a molecular level and enhances the natural grain without creating a film.

 
 

Osmo

Durable, breathable finishes made with natural oils and waxes. They’re VOC-friendly, easy to maintain, and safe for both kids and pets.

 
 

Varathane Nano Defence

Durable, water based finish that is VOC-friendly when dry.

 
 

Things We Use on Occasion (By Request)

 

Materials

 

Formica & high-pressure laminates

Sometimes a client wants a very specific look or durability level. When we use Formica, it’s always paired with a low-emission substrate and installed with low-VOC adhesives.

 
 

Exotic woods

We almost exclusively use domestic species, but we’ll work with exotics only if they’re FSC-certified or verified sustainable. That means no rainforest pillaging. No black-market lumber.

 
 

Finishes

 

Client-specified finishes

If you’re working with a designer or have something specific in mind, we’ll talk. But we’ll also be honest if a product off-gasses in your home or compromises the build, we won’t use it without full disclosure.

 
 

Things We Don’t Use

 

Materials

 

Melamine

Cheap, brittle, and usually glued with urea-formaldehyde resin. It doesn’t hold screws well, it chips easily, and it off-gasses over time. Hard pass.

 
 

Epoxy coatings

They may look glossy, but they trap moisture, yellow with time, and come with serious chemical baggage. Not in our shop.

 
 

High-VOC paints or lacquers

They can look sleek, but the fumes last longer than the finish. We’re not interested in building beautiful furniture that gives you a headache.

 
 

A Note on FSC and Other Certifications

The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) label isn’t just a green sticker. It means that every step of the supply chain—from the forest to the sawmill to the final sheet of veneer—has been audited and approved. It guarantees that wood was harvested legally, sustainably, and ethically.

We also pay attention to certifications and standards that ensure safety, sustainability, and transparency throughout the materials we use, including:

  • LEED-Compliant Materials: Ideal for clients working on green building projects or sustainable renovations

  • Formaldehyde Emissions Standards: We choose materials that meet or exceed Canadian regulations, which are aligned with U.S. benchmarks like CARB (California Air Resources Board) and TSCA Title VI

  • Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs): Provided by the manufacturers we trust, these give transparent insight into the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle.

 

Why This Matters

You don’t have to be a chemist to care about what’s in your cabinets. We believe that sustainability isn’t just a trend, we believe it’s the baseline. And that safe, beautiful spaces shouldn’t come at the cost of indoor air quality, forest ecosystems, or your peace of mind.

We build for longevity, for breathability, and for beauty. Every choice matters—and we’ve made ours with intention.

Terry Moore