Find Your Store
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 holly wood and what makes it unique?
Holly is a domestic hardwood notable for its extremely pale, almost pure white colour — the whitest of all North American hardwoods. It has a fine, even grain and relatively hard, dense texture. Holly is primarily used for inlay work, marquetry, decorative banding, piano keys, and accent pieces where its distinctive white colour creates strong contrast with darker wood species.
What applications is holly used for in woodworking?
Holly is used for inlay banding, stringing, marquetry, decorative accents in furniture, musical instrument keys, and specialty turning projects. Its primary value is its exceptional whiteness relative to other natural wood species. Holly is not typically used for large structural or surface applications due to its small available sizes and specialty pricing.
How does holly respond to finishing?
Holly should be finished with UV-inhibiting clear coats as it is prone to yellowing with light exposure, which reduces the contrast value that makes it desirable. Oil finishes can slightly yellow or tint the white appearance. Water-based finishes with UV protection are the preferred choice for maintaining holly's whiteness in finished pieces.
Is holly readily available at Windsor Plywood?
Holly is a specialty hardwood with limited availability due to the small size of holly trees and the limited commercial production. Windsor Plywood carries holly as a specialty item subject to current availability. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm whether holly is in stock and in the dimensions required for your project.
What are the main challenges of working with holly?
Holly dries slowly and is prone to staining and discolouration during drying. It must be processed quickly after cutting to maintain its white colour. Available board widths are limited by the relatively small diameter of holly trees. These factors make holly a specialty and relatively expensive material compared to more abundant domestic hardwoods.