Natural Carpentry

03/10/2025

07/22/2024

07/18/2024

Adversity in Construction: A Candid Reflection

In this series, I share my candid reflections on the challenges faced in the construction industry.

Part 1: Safety Issues

Safety in construction often feels more like an individual responsibility than a core component of the building process. This inconsistency leads to confusion and a culture where safety isn’t taken seriously, resulting in varying enforcement levels across different sites. As a subcontractor, I frequently encounter vastly different safety standards from site to site, which can make maintaining consistent safety practices challenging.

At multiple sites, I’ve been told to put on my fall safety harness, even when there’s nowhere to tie off to. This practice is ineffective and potentially more dangerous than not wearing a harness at all. It gives a false sense of security without actually improving safety. Often, it seems this is done to satisfy regulatory requirements or appease site supervisors, which, while understandable, is ultimately ineffective and misleading.

In North America, construction often prioritizes cost-cutting and efficiency. Safety measures, while necessary, are sometimes viewed as expensive and time-consuming, leading to inconsistent enforcement. This contrasts with regions like Germany and Scandinavia, where safety is more deeply integrated into the construction process.

In these regions, workers undergo regular annual safety training updates, whereas in Ontario, training is required only every three years. This frequent training in Europe helps ensure that safety practices are consistently followed and taken seriously.

This is something I know I can improve on, both individually and as a business owner. Integrating safety into every aspect of our work is an ongoing effort.

What are your thoughts on safety in the construction industry? Share your experiences below!

07/15/2024

Joys of Construction: A Personal Reflection

In this new series, I share my personal reflections on what makes construction such a fulfilling career for me.

Part 1: The Joy of Framing

In this photo, we’ve started to install beams that will create the second-floor structure. I find framing a house incredibly satisfying because it’s so physically tangible.

The beams are made up of multiple members of LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) nailed together. Each member is cut to size and then nailed together with a pneumatic nailer, still very much a hands-on process. Due to the tight access site in the city, like many in Toronto, we also had to lift the beams into place by hand.

The process involves precise cutting, careful nailing, and physical effort, making the work deeply rewarding. There’s nothing better than the feeling of putting down fresh plywood on a newly completed floor system.

I remember the first time I framed the first floor for an addition and how satisfying it was to see the new plywood subfloor flush perfectly with the existing one. That moment of seeing everything come together seamlessly reminded me why I love what I do.

What part of your job do you find most satisfying? Share your thoughts below!

07/12/2024

, our mission is to blend time-honoured and contemporary carpentry techniques, propelling our craft into the future while preserving the past.

Founded by Natasha Fritz, a passionate carpenter, we’re thrilled to bring you our unique perspective on renovating heritage homes and constructing new ones across the Greater Toronto Area.

Follow our journey and stay tuned for more updates and insights!

08/16/2022

Natural Carpentry is seeking 2-3 carpenters with 6 months - 5+ years experience. We are looking for someone to grow with the business and hope to retain successful candidates for the long term. Our work is predominantly custom home framing, addition framing and structural renovations with a specialization in century homes.

Candidates will be expected to commute to job sites in Toronto, Peel and York Region. Some projects take us outside this service area, supplemental pay is given for any projects outside of the aforementioned service area.

An ideal candidate will have the following:

-Punctuality

-Reliable means of transportation to reach job sites across the GTA (Toronto, York Region, Peel)

-Hardhat, safety boots, tools pouch, 25' tape measure, hammer, speed square, chalk line and pencil

-A positive attitude

-A willingness to learn

-Able to read, write and communicate effectively in English.

-Post-secondary education in the trades is an asset but not required.

We are an equal opportunities employer and an LGBTQ2S+ friendly work environment, all are welcome to apply.
Applications are being accepted via email at:

[Email hidden]

Please include your name, phone number, address, cover letter, resume and desired pay scale in the email.
Pay range is $20-$40 per hour depending on experience.

09/01/2021

In male dominated industries I find women are often held to a very different standard than their male counter parts.

There are many unwritten rules about how women are allowed to move through these spaces and how their actions can impact the opportunities of future women.

On this episode of the Building Good podcast host .jen and I discuss how this has impacted me and my internal dialogue.

Click the link in my bio to listen or find Building Good on Spotify and Apple podcasts.

08/26/2020

Façade...

The exterior finish of this home is a mixture of brick, limestone, stucco and wooden trim.

This photo is on the west side of the home; you can see the large limestone corners. The window sill, skirt stone and accent stones above the windows are also made of limestone.

The brick is a brownish-grey colour, and the mortar has similar colour tones to the brick. Previous "repairs" to the mortar have been done with concrete, which has started to create cracks at the joints.

This concrete will be removed and replaced with a mortar replica. The original mortar on the home was analyzed so that the masons carrying out the work can match it exactly, from the colour to the type of aggregates used.

Architect:

Project Management:

Structural Framing:

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08/21/2020

Scale...

The scale and complexity of is something that needs to be digested slowly.

The house itself is massive in size; it will be over 12,000 square feet once completed; but the real scale is in the details.

Aside from the standard structural considerations historical preservation and building envelope need to be examined; especially when introducing modern insulation and HVAC standards.

When looking at the scope of the entire project our part seems small at times, but I am realizing that our ability to execute the envelope and structural details will have a lasting impact.

This photo represents just over half the length of the existing home. The addition will be located to the left.

Architect:

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Structural Framing:

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08/19/2020

The start of something big...

This designated heritage home in Toronto is getting a full interior structural renovation as well as a large addition.

The plans have a wide variety of detail intended to help with the long term preservation of the structure.

We are very excited to be part of the team working on this project and can’t wait to share the process with you.

Architect:

Project Management:

Structural Framing:

Photography:

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08/17/2020

Here our mission is to blend time honoured and contemporary carpentry techniques that propel our craft into the future while preserving the past.

We are very excited to share with you our unique perspective on the renovation of century homes across the Greater Toronto Area.

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