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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, cherry, 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 is bloodwood and what makes it distinctive?
Bloodwood (Brosimum rubescens) is a dense South American hardwood named for its striking, vivid red colour — one of the most saturated reds available in natural wood. It has a fine, even grain, a Janka hardness of approximately 2900, and high natural durability. Bloodwood is used for accent work, inlay, turning projects, knife handles, and decorative woodworking where a deep, natural red colour is the design intent.
Does bloodwood maintain its red colour over time?
Bloodwood is susceptible to fading from UV exposure, which gradually reduces the red saturation toward a more orange-brown tone. Applying a UV-inhibiting clear finish and keeping finished pieces away from direct sunlight preserves the colour longest. The colour change is gradual rather than sudden, and bloodwood retains an attractive warm tone even after fading.
Is bloodwood difficult to work with?
Yes. Bloodwood's extreme hardness dulls tools quickly and requires sharp, well-maintained cutting edges. It turns well on the lathe and sands to a smooth, lustrous surface but requires patience due to the density. The natural oils in bloodwood can slow glue curing — wipe surfaces with mineral spirits before gluing and allow extended clamping time.
What finish is suitable for bloodwood?
Oil finishes, wax, and clear varnishes all work on bloodwood. UV-inhibiting finishes are strongly recommended to preserve the red colour. The natural oils in bloodwood can cause adhesion issues with some film-forming finishes — test on scrap first. Oils that penetrate the surface work more reliably than thick film finishes on highly resinous or oily exotic species.
Does Windsor Plywood carry bloodwood?
Windsor Plywood carries bloodwood as a specialty exotic hardwood subject to current availability. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm whether bloodwood is in stock and in the dimensions suitable for your project.