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Vibrant, durable, and full of natural character, canarywood is an exotic hardwood celebrated for its striking colour variations and fine grain. We offer high-quality canarywood lumber and turning blanks ideal for fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, decorative accents, and woodworking projects that call for bold visual appeal. Native to South America, canarywood ranges in colour from golden yellows to rich reds and oranges, often with beautiful streaks of purple, brown, or black. It machines and sands well, finishes to a smooth sheen, and offers excellent stability—making it a top choice for woodworkers who want both durability and standout aesthetics. As a proudly Canadian company, Windsor Plywood specializes in unique, hard-to-source woods and provides expert, personalized service. Whether you're building a showpiece or adding flair to a custom project, canarywood brings warmth, colour, and creativity to life in every piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is canarywood and what makes it distinctive?
Canarywood (Centrolobium spp.) is a South American hardwood with vivid yellow to orange-red colour and irregular dark streaking that varies dramatically between pieces. It has a Janka hardness of approximately 1520 and a fine to medium texture. Canarywood is used for turning projects, decorative furniture accents, inlay work, knife handles, and musical instruments where its bold, warm colour is the design feature.
Does canarywood colour change over time?
Yes. Canarywood's bright yellow-orange colour darkens and mellows with light exposure to a more orange-red tone over time. UV-inhibiting finishes slow this process. The aged colour is also attractive, though it loses some of the vivid initial contrast. Keeping finished pieces away from direct sunlight preserves the colour for longer.
Is canarywood difficult to work with?
Canarywood is moderately easy to work with for an exotic hardwood. Its interlocked grain can cause tearout if worked against the grain direction, particularly when planing. Carbide-tipped tools are recommended. It turns cleanly and sands to a smooth surface. The natural oils in some pieces can interfere with finishing — a light wipe with mineral spirits before finishing improves adhesion.
What finish is best for canarywood?
Oil finishes and hard wax oils that penetrate the surface complement canarywood's natural colour and figure. Polyurethane varnish provides a more protective film for functional applications. UV-inhibiting clear finishes are strongly recommended to slow the natural colour darkening that occurs with light exposure.
Does Windsor Plywood carry canarywood?
Windsor Plywood carries canarywood as a specialty exotic hardwood subject to current availability. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm whether canarywood is in stock and in the dimensions suited to your project.