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Windsor Plywood has been a trusted source for specialty lumber and hardwoods across western Canada for decades. Our specialty lumber selection goes well beyond standard framing grades, offering premium domestic and imported hardwood species suited for fine furniture making, custom cabinetry, architectural millwork, and decorative woodworking projects of all scales. Species available include hard maple, red oak, white oak, walnut, cherry, birch, alder, poplar, and a rotating selection of exotic and figured hardwoods depending on current inventory. In addition to solid hardwood lumber, we carry live edge slabs, figured wood for tabletops and accent pieces, and hardwood plywood in species to match. Windsor Plywood staff are knowledgeable about the properties and working characteristics of each species and can help you select the right material for your specific application. Visit your local Windsor Plywood to browse current specialty lumber stock and discuss your project with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tigerwood and what makes it distinctive?
Tigerwood is a common name applied to several tropical hardwoods with bold, striped figure, most commonly Astronium fraxinifolium (Brazilian tigerwood) from South America. It has vivid dark reddish-brown irregular streaks against a lighter orange-brown background, producing the tiger-stripe appearance that gives the species its name. It has a Janka hardness of approximately 1850 and is used for flooring, accents, turning, and decorative furniture.
Is tigerwood suitable for hardwood flooring?
Yes. Tigerwood's extreme hardness makes it one of the most durable exotic hardwood flooring options. The bold striping pattern creates a dramatic, high-impact floor suitable for contemporary and tropical-influenced interiors. As with all exotic species, confirm the specific product's FSC certification status if sustainable sourcing is a project requirement.
Does tigerwood colour change over time?
Yes. Tigerwood's vivid striping contrast mellows with UV exposure, with both the light and dark tones shifting toward a more uniform medium brown over time. This fading is most rapid in the first months after installation and continues more slowly thereafter. UV-inhibiting finishes slow the process. Furniture moved occasionally will expose areas of the original floor colour, showing the degree of UV darkening.
Is tigerwood difficult to work with?
Tigerwood's hardness requires carbide-tipped tools. Pre-drilling is required for all fasteners. The interlocked grain can cause tearout in hand operations — sharp tools and working with the grain direction are important. It sands to a smooth surface and accepts most finishes well after a mineral spirits wipe to remove surface oils.
Does Windsor Plywood carry tigerwood?
Windsor Plywood carries tigerwood as a specialty exotic hardwood for flooring and woodworking applications subject to current availability. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm current stock and dimensions for your project.