Osmo Wood & Colour Canada, Ltd.

Timber Frame Finishing Supplies

About

Osmo was born from necessity, not marketing. Founded in Germany over 130 years ago as a timber manufacturer, Osmo needed a wood finish that was durable, natural, and worthy of the high-quality wood products it exported around the world. When nothing on the market met its standards, Osmo developed its own solution, introducing the original Polyx®-Oil in 1995.

Osmo’s innovative formula combines the richness of natural oils with the durability and resistance of wax, offering performance comparable to traditional film-forming coatings without creating a thick, brittle surface layer. Instead, Osmo finishes penetrate into the wood to enhance grain definition and preserve the authentic feel of the material.

Today, Osmo is trusted by professional woodworkers, flooring specialists, architects, designers, and builders for applications where appearance, durability, and long-term maintainability are essential.

Services

Premium Wood Finishes for Interior & Exterior Applications
From the carefully selected raw materials used in its finishes to the sourcing and transportation of ingredients, Osmo remains committed to environmentally responsible practices at every stage of production. By combining high performance with sustainability, Osmo continues to challenge common misconceptions surrounding oil-based wood finishes in North America today; Osmo products are low VOC, plant-based, and safe for humans, plants, and animals when dry.

Many woodworkers continue to prefer oil-based systems for the way they interact with the wood itself. Oil finishes tend to enrich natural colour variation and deepen the appearance of the grain, creating a warmer and more tactile finish compared to coatings that form a surface film. For furniture makers, millworkers, and high-end craftsmen, that material authenticity remains one of the defining advantages of oil-based finishing systems. 

Osmo finishes are engineered for high coverage, efficient application, and simplified long-term maintenance. Many products can be repaired locally without requiring complete sanding and refinishing, helping reduce labour and extending the service life of the wood surface.

Available in a wide range of clear and coloured finishes, Osmo products are commonly used on:

• Hardwood floors
• Furniture
• Cabinetry
• Millwork
• Wood countertops
• Decking
• Siding
• Fences and privacy screens
• Timber Framing and Log structures

Osmo Exterior Products for Heavy Timber Frame Construction

Timber frame construction demands finishes that can move with the natural behaviour of wood – especially on large structural timbers that are often installed with high internal moisture content. Unlike film-forming coatings that can trap moisture and eventually crack or peel, Osmo’s microporous oil-based system allows the wood to breathe, helping moisture and pitch escape naturally through the finish. This makes it especially well-suited for heavy timber applications where durability, flexibility, and long-term performance matter.

UV-Protection Oil

For exterior timber framing, Osmo UV-Protection Oil helps preserve the natural beauty of the wood while slowing the greying process up to 12× compared to untreated wood. Its minimal penetrating finish enhances the grain without creating a thick surface film, maintaining the authentic look and feel of timber construction. It is recommended to apply two coats of UV-Protection Oil, with a dry time of only 12 hours in between coats. 

One Coat Only HS Plus 

Osmo’s One Coat Only HS Plus offers a major advantage for timber frame projects by reducing application time to a single coat. Large beams and structural timbers require significant labour to finish, minimizing application steps can greatly improve efficiency on site. 

Combined with a longer open time than most water-based systems, the oil is easier to apply evenly across large surfaces, helping contractors and timber framers achieve a consistent, high-end finish with less effort.

From flooring and cabinetry to large-scale timber frame construction, Osmo finishes are trusted where natural appearance, efficient application, and long-term maintainability are essential.

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