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Discover the natural beauty and enduring strength of hardwood. Perfect for furniture making, cabinetry, flooring, and custom woodworking projects, our hardwood selection includes a wide variety of species such as maple, ash, walnut, birch, and more. Whether you’re looking for rough-sawn lumber or live edge slabs, we carry top-quality hardwoods in a range of sizes and finishes to meet your needs. Each piece is carefully sourced for character, grain consistency, and long-lasting performance—ideal for both DIYers and professional craftsmen. As a proudly Canadian company with locally owned stores, Windsor Plywood specializes in hard-to-find wood products and offers expert, one-on-one service to help you bring your vision to life. Visit your local store to browse our full hardwood selection and get the guidance you need for your next project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What maple products does Windsor Plywood carry?
Windsor Plywood carries hard maple and soft maple hardwood lumber in select and common grades, maple hardwood plywood, and maple flooring. Hard maple (Acer saccharum) is the primary species for cabinetry, furniture, flooring, and workbench tops. Soft maple (Acer rubrum and related species) is less dense and more cost-effective for painted applications.
What is the difference between hard maple and soft maple?
Hard maple (sugar maple) has a Janka hardness of approximately 1450, making it one of the hardest North American hardwoods. Soft maple refers to several maple species including red maple and silver maple, with a hardness of approximately 950 — harder than cherry and walnut but softer than hard maple. Both have similar fine, consistent grain. Soft maple is more prone to blotchy staining than hard maple.
Why is hard maple the preferred species for workbench tops and kitchen surfaces?
Hard maple's combination of hardness, smooth grain, and resistance to moisture and food absorption makes it the industry standard for workbench tops, butcher blocks, bowling lanes, and gymnasium floors. It resists denting and gouging from tool use and can be flattened and refinished multiple times. The fine, consistent grain also makes it hygienic for food preparation surfaces.
Is maple prone to blotching when stained?
Hard maple is one of the most blotch-prone domestic hardwoods when stained with pigment stains. Its tight, consistent grain absorbs stain unevenly, producing blotchy colour. A pre-stain conditioner reduces but does not eliminate the problem. Many woodworkers and cabinet makers prefer to paint maple or use dye-based stains rather than pigment stains when colour is required, or select maple specifically for its natural pale colour under clear finishes.
What dimensions of maple lumber does Windsor Plywood carry?
Windsor Plywood carries hard maple lumber in standard thicknesses from 4/4 to 8/4 with widths varying by available stock. Maple hardwood plywood is available in standard 4x8 panels. Availability of specific grades and dimensions varies by location. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm current maple stock for your project.