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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 purpleheart wood and what makes it distinctive?
Purpleheart (Peltogyne spp.) is a dense tropical hardwood from Central and South America, instantly recognizable by its vivid purple colour when freshly cut. With a Janka hardness of approximately 1860, it is significantly harder than most domestic hardwoods. The purple colour is a result of chemical compounds in the wood reacting with oxygen; the intensity fades somewhat to a deeper brown-purple with prolonged UV exposure.
What is purpleheart used for in woodworking?
Purpleheart is used for accent pieces in furniture and cabinetry, inlay work, tool handles, pool cues, guitar bodies, cutting boards, turning projects, and any application where a dramatic, high-impact natural colour is the design intent. It is also used structurally for decking and heavy construction in South America due to its exceptional hardness and durability.
Does purpleheart maintain its purple colour over time?
The vivid purple of freshly machined purpleheart fades with UV exposure to a deeper reddish-brown-purple over time. UV-inhibiting clear finishes slow this process but cannot prevent colour change entirely. Keeping purpleheart pieces out of direct sunlight and applying a UV-stable finish coating preserves the colour better than leaving it unfinished or with a standard clear coat.
Is purpleheart difficult to work with?
Yes. Purpleheart's hardness dulls cutting tools quickly and generates significant heat during machining, which can cause the wood surface to turn brown from the heat rather than the expected purple. Use sharp tools, take moderate feed rates, and allow the workpiece to cool between passes. The wood sands cleanly once machined. Finishing requires a sealer coat as purpleheart can bleed colour into surrounding lighter woods in combination pieces.
Does Windsor Plywood carry purpleheart in stock?
Windsor Plywood carries purpleheart as a specialty exotic hardwood subject to current availability. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm whether purpleheart is in stock and in the dimensions suited to your project before planning around this species.