Zebrawood Exotic Striped Hardwood

Zebrawood (Microberlinia brazzavillensis) is a West African hardwood with a pale golden-yellow colour and dark brown to black irregular stripes that produce the zebra-stripe appearance the species is named for. It has a coarse grain, moderate to high hardness (Janka approximately 1575), and is used for furniture accents, veneer, turning, knife handles, and decorative woodworking where its bold striping creates visual impact.

Zebrawood's bold, high-contrast striping is most impactful in flat, wide surfaces such as tabletops, drawer fronts, and cabinet door panels. It is commonly used as veneer for large surfaces where solid zebrawood would be cost-prohibitive and where the figure variation can be arranged for visual consistency. As solid lumber, it is used for smaller accent pieces, handles, and turning projects.

Zebrawood's interlocked grain causes tearout when planed or routed against the grain direction. Working with sharp tools and paying attention to grain direction is important. It sands well to a smooth surface despite the coarse grain. Finishing with a grain filler before applying a topcoat produces the smoothest result. The natural surface oils may require a mineral spirits wipe before applying film finishes.

Zebrawood's golden-yellow tones darken somewhat with UV exposure, shifting toward a more amber-orange background tone. The dark striping remains relatively stable. UV-inhibiting finishes slow the colour change. The contrast between light and dark areas remains visually strong even after natural colour shift.

Windsor Plywood carries zebrawood as a specialty exotic hardwood subject to current availability. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm whether zebrawood is in stock and in the dimensions required for your project.