Fitzroy Stretches was established out of a keen desire to produce the finest stretcher arms. Our strong, reliable frames are made from environmentally sustainable timbers. We are the only manufacturer of hardwood stretcher arms in Australia and we offer competitive pricing on Victorian ash, cedar and pine stretchers. We use moulded, high-density plastic keys or stretcher wedges that are guaranteed to keep your canvases taut. They don't split or fall out, can take a pounding, and can be recycled.

Stretcher bars and braces are available in stock sizes or custom made stretcher bars are available on request. This includes shapes beyond the traditional squares and rectangles.

 Check FAQ for Sustainability Enquiries

Pine Heavy Duty Profile (PHD)

Pine Heavy Duty Profile (PHD)

A profile in clear grade, kiln-dried Hoop Pine sourced from plantations in Queensland. Clear grade means that the timber is supplied free of knots. Hoop Pine is a superior timber to Radiata and other pine species commonly used for stretcher arms, as it is less prone to warping.
 

 

 

Technical details for Pine Profile

Timber: Kiln-dried Hoop Pine
Profile: 42mm width, 32mm thickness
Bevel: 9 degrees, i.e. 32mm outside thickness, 27mm inside thickness
Join: European mitred mortice and tenon with slots for wedges

Professional Quality Premium Pine (PQP)

Professional Quality Premium Pine (PQP)

Strong and light, the Premium Quality profile continues to be asked for by artists. We have maintained this tradition by producing the profile in clear grade, kiln-dried Hoop Pine sourced from plantations in Queensland. Clear grade means that the timber is supplied free of knots. Hoop Pine is a superior timber to Radiata and other pine species commonly used for stretcher arms, as it is less prone to warping.

Technical details for Professional Quality Premium Profile

Timber: Kiln-dried Hoop Pine
Profile: 67mm width, 22mm thickness
Bevel: 9 degrees, i.e. 22mm outside thickness, 17mm inside thickness
Join: European mitred mortice and tenon with slots for wedges

Standard Braces (HD / PQP / PHD)

Standard Braces (HD / PQP / PHD)

Standard Braces (Stretcher Bars) made of kiln-dried Hoop Pine









 

Technical details for Standard Braces

Timber: Kiln-dried Hoop Pine
Profile: 67mm width, 20mm thickness
Bevel: Dressed All Round (DAR), corners bevelled
For recommended bracing configuration please see FAQ

Vic Ash Heavy Duty Profile (HD)

Vic Ash Heavy Duty Profile (HD)

This profile is manufactured from Victorian Ash. We have selected this fine-grained, kiln-dried timber because it keeps its integrity—Victorian Ash is more resistant to changes in humidity than pine, and less likely to warp.

 

 

 

Technical details for Heavy Duty Profile

Timber: Kiln-dried Victorian Ash
Profile: 42mm width, 32mm thickness
Bevel: 9 degrees, i.e. 32mm outside thickness, 27mm inside thickness
Join: European mitred mortice and tenon with slots for wedges

Western Red Cedar (WRC)

Western Red Cedar (WRC)

 

We use plantation-grown Western Red Cedar sourced from Canada for both stretcher arms and any bracing lengths. We have two profile depths available: 32mm and 42mm (see technical details).

This is a traditional stretcher that is more expensive than other profiles. Due to its open grain and high resistance to changes in humidity, cedar is a lightweight and true timber especially suitable for large frames. 

 

Technical details for Museum Quality Profile

Timber: Kiln-dried Western Red Cedar
Profile:  67mm width, 32mm thickness
Bevel:    9 degrees, i.e. 32mm outside thickness, 27mm inside thickness
Join:      European mitred mortice and tenon with slots for wedges

 


Western Red Cedar Braces (WRC)

Western Red Cedar Braces (WRC)

Braces (Stretcher Bars) made of kiln-dried Western Red Cedar









 

Technical details for Western Red Cedar Braces

Timber : Kiln-dried Western Red Cedar.

Profile: 67mm width, 24mm thickness

Bevel: Dressed All Round (DAR), corners bevelled

For recommended bracing configuration please see FAQ