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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 koto wood and what is it used for?
Koto (Pterygota spp.) is an African hardwood with a pale cream to golden-yellow colour, fine texture, and an often-interlocked grain that produces an attractive mottle or ribbon figure on quartersawn surfaces. It has a moderate hardness and is used as a substitute for maple and other pale-toned hardwoods in cabinetry, furniture, and interior millwork, particularly in European markets.
How does koto compare to maple as a cabinetry material?
Koto is lighter in colour and softer than hard maple. Its fine, consistent texture makes it an effective paint-grade or light-stain hardwood for cabinetry. In European cabinetry, koto is used similarly to maple for painted and lightly stained door panels. It machines cleanly and accepts finish consistently, making it a practical alternative where maple is not available or is cost-prohibitive.
Does koto take stain evenly?
Koto stains with reasonable consistency due to its fine, uniform texture. A pre-stain conditioner is recommended for most stain applications. The pale base colour makes it suitable for lighter stains and clear finishes where a clean, bright appearance is desired. Darker stains may produce some variation.
Is koto available in wide boards?
Koto grows in reasonably large trees and is available in wider boards than many tropical specialty hardwoods. However, as a specialty import species, availability of specific widths and lengths at Windsor Plywood locations varies. Contact your local branch to confirm current koto stock.
Does Windsor Plywood carry koto?
Windsor Plywood carries koto as a specialty hardwood subject to current availability. Confirm current stock and available dimensions with your local Windsor Plywood location before specifying koto for a project.