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Discover the natural beauty and enduring strength of hardwood. Perfect for furniture making, cabinetry, flooring, and custom woodworking projects, our hardwood selection includes a wide variety of species such as maple, ash, walnut, birch, cherry, and more. Whether you’re looking for rough-sawn lumber or live edge slabs, we carry top-quality hardwoods in a range of sizes and finishes to meet your needs. Each piece is carefully sourced for character, grain consistency, and long-lasting performance, ideal for both DIYers and professional craftsmen. As a proudly Canadian company with locally owned stores, Windsor Plywood specializes in hard-to-find wood products and offers expert, one-on-one service to help you bring your vision to life. Visit your local store to browse our full hardwood selection and get the guidance you need for your next project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is basswood and what is it used for?
Basswood is a lightweight, fine-grained domestic hardwood with a very consistent, uniform texture. It is one of the softest true hardwoods, with a Janka hardness of approximately 410. Basswood is the preferred wood for hand carving, wood burning, and detailed relief work due to its consistent grain and ease of cutting with hand tools. It is also used for model making, musical instrument parts, and lightweight interior components.
Why is basswood the standard choice for wood carving?
Basswood's extremely fine, consistent grain cuts cleanly in any direction without splintering or tearing. It has no significant difference in hardness between early and latewood, which means carving tools move through it predictably regardless of grain direction. It is soft enough to work with hand tools without excessive effort and holds detail well in finished carvings.
What finishes are suitable for basswood?
Basswood accepts paint, stain, and clear finishes. For stained applications, a pre-stain conditioner is recommended as basswood can absorb stain unevenly due to its soft, porous nature. Paint over a primer gives consistent, smooth results. For natural or carved pieces, clear oil or wax finishes preserve the pale, clean appearance of the wood.
Is basswood strong enough for furniture?
Basswood is too soft for most furniture surfaces that will see daily use, as it dents and scratches easily. It is appropriate for hidden structural components, lightweight frames, interior drawer components, and decorative elements that will not be subject to wear. For furniture surfaces, harder species like maple, oak, or alder are more practical.
Does Windsor Plywood carry basswood in carving-friendly dimensions?
Windsor Plywood carries basswood lumber in a range of dimensions suited to carving, craft, and interior millwork applications. Specific sizes, thicknesses, and lengths vary by location. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm current stock for your project.