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Windsor Plywood offers a comprehensive selection of cabinet-grade and construction-grade plywood and sheet goods, ideal for everything from fine woodworking to structural applications. Whether you're building custom cabinetry, shelving, or tackling a renovation, we have the right materials in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, and finishes. Choose from high-quality hardwood veneers like maple, oak, and birch, or durable construction-grade panels designed to stand up to demanding use. Be sure to ask about our specialty products that include aircraft plywood, marine grade plywood, bending plywood, superlite MDF and even whiteboards. Our sheet goods are carefully sourced for consistency, performance, and value—perfect for professionals and DIYers alike. With decades of experience and a reputation for carrying hard-to-find products, Windsor Plywood is your trusted destination for specialty wood and sheet materials in Canada and beyond. Visit your local store for expert guidance, custom cutting options, and a wide selection of in-stock and special-order plywood solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hickory wood and what are its main characteristics?
Hickory is one of the hardest and strongest domestic hardwoods, with a Janka hardness of approximately 1820. It has a pronounced colour variation between the pale sapwood and darker reddish-brown heartwood, a coarse, open grain, and a rustic character that is distinctive in flooring and furniture. Hickory is known for extreme toughness and shock resistance, making it the traditional wood for tool handles and sporting goods.
Why is hickory popular for hardwood flooring?
Hickory's extreme hardness makes it one of the most durable domestic hardwood flooring options available. The colour variation between sapwood and heartwood creates a distinctive rustic character that suits farmhouse, craftsman, and country-style interiors. Because hickory machines less smoothly than maple or oak, hickory flooring is often available in wire-brushed and hand-scraped finishes that complement its natural character.
Is hickory difficult to work with?
Yes. Hickory's extreme hardness and interlocked grain make it one of the more challenging domestic hardwoods to work with. It dulls cutting tools more quickly than softer species and can be prone to tearout if tools are not kept sharp. Drilling requires sharp bits and slower feed rates. For hand tool work, extra effort is required. The difficulty is accepted in exchange for the excellent durability of finished hickory pieces.
What finishes work on hickory?
Hickory accepts stain, though its colour variation between sapwood and heartwood means stain will produce noticeably different tones across the board. This is typically embraced as part of hickory's rustic character rather than treated as a defect. Oil-based stains penetrate the open grain well. Clear finishes including polyurethane and oil finishes are also appropriate.
Does Windsor Plywood carry hickory lumber?
Windsor Plywood carries hickory hardwood lumber subject to current availability. Hickory is less commonly stocked than oak or maple due to its specialty nature. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm whether hickory is currently in stock or available to order, and to discuss your project requirements.