Based in Port Alberni, B.C., Timber Tiles makes waterproof and compostable tiles for kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-traffic areas—offering an alternative to ceramic tiles that are often manufactured through a carbon-intensive process and end up in landfills.

With growing pressure on manufacturers, architects, and home builders to move away from fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions, the First Nations-owned business is pitching its wooden tiles as a viable (and stylish) alternative.

Co-founder Mark Anson first had the thought to make tiles out of wood during his time at FPInnovations, where he explored new uses for lower-grade hemlock, an undervalued timber because of its moisture content. After more than five years of R&D, he and his team developed an innovative manufacturing process that draws out the full range of hemlock’s grain patterns and colour tones.

So far, market penetration has been modest, with tiles in the foyers of five FrontCounter BC offices and in a handful of custom homes on Vancouver Island and the province’s Lower Mainland. Earlier this year, the company inked a deal with a Japanese distributor and manufacturer of crown moulding and other finishing materials—helping Timber Tiles get a toehold in a market with massive potential.

One Canadian start-up is betting on yes.