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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 pau amarelo and what makes it distinctive?
Pau amarelo (Euxylophora paraensis), also spelled pau amarello, is a South American hardwood with a vivid, uniform bright yellow colour — one of the most saturated natural yellows available in commercial wood. It has a fine, even texture and moderate hardness. Pau amarelo is used for accent work, inlay, marquetry, turning, and decorative woodworking where a consistent, strong yellow natural colour is the design goal.
Does pau amarelo maintain its yellow colour?
Pau amarelo's yellow colour fades with UV exposure over time, transitioning toward a more tan-yellow or orange-yellow tone. UV-inhibiting clear finishes slow the colour change. Keeping finished pieces out of direct sunlight preserves the vivid yellow longer. The faded colour is still attractive but loses some of the saturation that makes the species distinctive.
What applications is pau amarelo used for?
Pau amarelo is used for colour contrast accent work in furniture, inlay banding and stringing, pen turning, marquetry, small decorative boxes, and musical instrument accents. Its uniform, saturated yellow colour creates strong contrast with darker woods and is a valuable element in decorative woodworking that relies on natural wood colour variety.
Is pau amarelo difficult to work with?
Pau amarelo is moderate in difficulty for an exotic hardwood. It machines cleanly with sharp tools, turns well, and sands to a smooth surface. Grain direction changes should be monitored to avoid tearout. The natural surface oils may slow finish adhesion on some products — a light wipe with mineral spirits before finishing is recommended.
Does Windsor Plywood carry pau amarelo?
Windsor Plywood carries pau amarelo as a specialty exotic hardwood in small lumber and turning blank dimensions subject to current availability. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm current stock for your project.