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Windsor Plywood has been a trusted source for specialty lumber and hardwoods across western Canada for decades. Our specialty lumber selection goes well beyond standard framing grades, offering premium domestic and imported hardwood species suited for fine furniture making, custom cabinetry, architectural millwork, and decorative woodworking projects of all scales. Species available include hard maple, red oak, white oak, walnut, cherry, birch, alder, poplar, and a rotating selection of exotic and figured hardwoods depending on current inventory. In addition to solid hardwood lumber, we carry live edge slabs, figured wood for tabletops and accent pieces, and hardwood plywood in species to match. Windsor Plywood staff are knowledgeable about the properties and working characteristics of each species and can help you select the right material for your specific application. Visit your local Windsor Plywood to browse current specialty lumber stock and discuss your project with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is beech wood and what are its main properties?
Beech is a hard, dense domestic hardwood with a fine, uniform grain and pale pinkish-brown colour. It has a Janka hardness of approximately 1300, comparable to ash and yellow birch. Beech is known for its hardness, excellent steam-bending characteristics, and smooth, consistent texture that machines and sands to a fine finish. It is widely used in European furniture and cabinetry.
What is beech commonly used for in woodworking?
Beech is used for tool handles, workbench tops, steam-bent furniture, chair frames, flooring, and interior millwork. It is a traditional European cabinetry material and is the species of choice for many bench planes, chisels, and woodworking tool handles due to its hardness and shock resistance. Beech also makes an excellent cutting board and butcher block material.
How does beech finish and stain?
Beech accepts stain evenly and takes a smooth finish. It is sometimes used in place of maple for painted cabinetry or as a cost-effective alternative for stained furniture. Beech has a slight tendency to show figure when quartersawn, producing an attractive ray fleck similar to quartersawn oak. For stained applications, beech produces consistent, even colour.
Is beech suitable for outdoor use?
No. Beech has poor natural rot resistance and is not appropriate for exterior applications without thorough treatment. It is an interior wood suited for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and workbench applications in dry, protected environments.
Does Windsor Plywood stock beech lumber?
Windsor Plywood carries beech hardwood lumber depending on current availability. Beech is less commonly stocked than species like maple and oak, so confirming availability with your local Windsor Plywood branch before planning a beech-specific project is recommended.