Natural Carpentry

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!

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!

, 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!

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.

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