STRETCHER BARS FOR CANVAS: QUALITY GUIDE

The Material

Our Stretcher Bars are made in Europe from the finest quality Baltic Pine (Redwood). This pine has a great weight and feel in the hand which gives the right impression when you (or your customer) holds the stretched print or painting; the product feels substantial and strong. The wood also offers an attractive appearance with varying degrees of grain and a slightly red/warm tone hence the term ‘redwood’.

It’s rare to find knots in our bars because the material is carefully selected, knots are considered imperfections that can weaken timber so we think it’s best to avoid them.

Alternative materials such as Chinese Fir have the advantage of being cheaper but tend to feel lighter and we find them more prone to cracking or splitting. They’re generally also rougher to touch and might be more difficult to put together which is why we opt for Pine and European manufacturing.

The MaNUFACTURER

Our manufacturers share our commitment to quality so that our customers can enjoy trouble free canvas stretching. They use quality tools and workmanship to produce stretcher bars that are smooth and accurate which means they fit together comfortably but tightly to make the perfect stretched canvas frame.

We have very fine degrees of tolerance that our manufacturer achieves which means we have very consistent quality and excellent compatibility between bars produced at different periods. Regular stretcher bar users will recognise this can save invaluable hours of frustration when trying to find bars that fit properly to make frames.

The eNVIRONMENT

All of the Pine we use is sourced from well managed, renewable stock in a country that enforces strict forest management policies.

cURRENT PROFILES AVAILABLE TO BUY ONLINE

Gallery Pine Stretcher Bars 38mm x 35mm
Premier Laminated Pine Stretcher Bars 24mm x 44mm
Exhibit Laminated Pine Stretcher Bars 44mm x 44mm

Close-up of precision-cut corner section

Assembled stretcher frame (38mm Gallery Profile)