Construction Wood and Canvas Wood and canvas construction evolved in the last half of the 19th century. The white cedar rib and plank construction bears many similarities to native birchbark methods and permits designs very close to birchbark. Unlike mass produced metal, plastic and fiberglass canoes, canvas covered canoes can be shaped in a great variety of ways to enhance stability, speed, maneuverability or capacity. Wood and canvas is very rugged and durable - we routinely restore 60 year old canoes with only minor structural repairs. Construction Styles Choosing a Canoe Materials