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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 canarywood and what makes it distinctive?
Canarywood (Centrolobium spp.) is a South American hardwood with vivid yellow to orange-red colour and irregular dark streaking that varies dramatically between pieces. It has a Janka hardness of approximately 1520 and a fine to medium texture. Canarywood is used for turning projects, decorative furniture accents, inlay work, knife handles, and musical instruments where its bold, warm colour is the design feature.
Does canarywood colour change over time?
Yes. Canarywood's bright yellow-orange colour darkens and mellows with light exposure to a more orange-red tone over time. UV-inhibiting finishes slow this process. The aged colour is also attractive, though it loses some of the vivid initial contrast. Keeping finished pieces away from direct sunlight preserves the colour for longer.
Is canarywood difficult to work with?
Canarywood is moderately easy to work with for an exotic hardwood. Its interlocked grain can cause tearout if worked against the grain direction, particularly when planing. Carbide-tipped tools are recommended. It turns cleanly and sands to a smooth surface. The natural oils in some pieces can interfere with finishing — a light wipe with mineral spirits before finishing improves adhesion.
What finish is best for canarywood?
Oil finishes and hard wax oils that penetrate the surface complement canarywood's natural colour and figure. Polyurethane varnish provides a more protective film for functional applications. UV-inhibiting clear finishes are strongly recommended to slow the natural colour darkening that occurs with light exposure.
Does Windsor Plywood carry canarywood?
Windsor Plywood carries canarywood as a specialty exotic hardwood subject to current availability. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm whether canarywood is in stock and in the dimensions suited to your project.