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Striking, dense, and naturally vibrant, Purpleheart is an exotic hardwood renowned for its bold colour and exceptional durability. We offer high-quality Purpleheart lumber and turning blanks ideal for fine furniture, inlays, flooring, cutting boards, and woodturning projects that demand a unique and luxurious touch. Native to Central and South America, Purpleheart showcases a deep purple hue that can darken to a rich violet or brownish tone over time, especially with exposure to UV light. Its fine, straight grain and impressive strength make it a favourite among woodworkers for both its visual impact and performance. Though dense and somewhat challenging to machine, it finishes beautifully and holds detail well. As a proudly Canadian company, Windsor Plywood is your go-to source for exotic and hard-to-find wood species. Whether you're crafting a bold statement piece or adding vibrant contrast to a design, Purpleheart delivers lasting beauty, strength, and sophistication.
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.