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Luxurious, dense, and richly coloured, bubinga is an exotic hardwood prized for its strength, natural lustre, and striking grain patterns. We offer select bubinga lumber and turning blanks ideal for fine furniture, high-end cabinetry, musical instruments, and specialty woodworking projects that demand both beauty and performance. Native to Africa, bubinga features deep reddish-brown tones with purple hues and dramatic figuring, often including flamed or waterfall grain patterns. It machines well, finishes to a high polish, and offers excellent dimensional stability—making it a top choice for woodworkers seeking a combination of visual impact and durability. As a proudly Canadian company, Windsor Plywood is your trusted source for rare and hard-to-find wood species. With expert advice and personalized service, we’ll help you find the perfect piece of bubinga to make your next project as bold and refined as the wood itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bubinga and what are its characteristics?
Bubinga (Guibourtia spp.) is an African hardwood with a reddish-brown to pink colour, often with interlocked grain that produces attractive figure including pommele (blister), quilted, and waterfall grain patterns. It has a Janka hardness of approximately 2690 and is significantly denser than most domestic hardwoods. Bubinga is used for furniture, cabinetry, musical instruments, turning, and decorative veneers.
What figure patterns are found in bubinga?
Bubinga's interlocked grain produces several desirable figure types. Pommele bubinga has a blistered or shimmering surface appearance. Quilted bubinga shows a three-dimensional rippling effect. Waterfall bubinga shows elongated, flowing streaks. Flat-cut bubinga without significant figure shows a relatively uniform reddish-brown colour. The most figured pieces command premium prices and are used in high-end decorative furniture and instrument work.
Is bubinga CITES-listed?
Bubinga was listed on CITES Appendix II in 2017, which restricts but does not prohibit international trade in the species. Commercial trade requires documentation from the exporting country confirming legal harvest. This listing has affected availability and pricing of bubinga. Windsor Plywood sources exotic hardwoods from established suppliers with appropriate documentation. Contact your local branch for information on current bubinga availability.
What finish works well on bubinga?
Bubinga's density and natural oils respond well to penetrating oil finishes and hard wax oils. Film-forming finishes also work but require surface preparation to address the oily surface. Wipe the surface with mineral spirits before applying any finish to remove surface oils that would inhibit adhesion. Bubinga sands to a smooth surface that takes a high-quality finish result.
Does Windsor Plywood stock bubinga?
Windsor Plywood carries bubinga as a specialty exotic hardwood subject to current availability and CITES documentation requirements. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm current stock and discuss your project requirements.