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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 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.