Find Your Store
Bold, exotic, and unmistakably unique, Zebrawood is a striking hardwood known for its dramatic striped grain and high visual impact. We offer premium Zebrawood lumber and turning blanks ideal for fine furniture, cabinetry, veneers, musical instruments, and statement woodworking pieces that stand out from the ordinary. Native to West Africa, Zebrawood features a light golden or tan background with dark brown to black striping, resembling the distinctive pattern of a zebra. Its coarse, interlocked grain adds texture and depth, while its hardness and strength make it suitable for both structural and decorative applications. It machines well with care and finishes to a lustrous, eye-catching sheen. As a proudly Canadian company, Windsor Plywood specializes in rare and hard-to-find wood species, backed by expert knowledge and personalized service. Whether you're building a showpiece or adding bold accents, Zebrawood delivers wild character and refined beauty in every project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is zebrawood and what makes it distinctive?
Zebrawood (Microberlinia brazzavillensis) is a West African hardwood with a pale golden-yellow colour and dark brown to black irregular stripes that produce the zebra-stripe appearance the species is named for. It has a coarse grain, moderate to high hardness (Janka approximately 1575), and is used for furniture accents, veneer, turning, knife handles, and decorative woodworking where its bold striping creates visual impact.
How is zebrawood typically used in furniture and cabinetry?
Zebrawood's bold, high-contrast striping is most impactful in flat, wide surfaces such as tabletops, drawer fronts, and cabinet door panels. It is commonly used as veneer for large surfaces where solid zebrawood would be cost-prohibitive and where the figure variation can be arranged for visual consistency. As solid lumber, it is used for smaller accent pieces, handles, and turning projects.
Is zebrawood difficult to work with?
Zebrawood's interlocked grain causes tearout when planed or routed against the grain direction. Working with sharp tools and paying attention to grain direction is important. It sands well to a smooth surface despite the coarse grain. Finishing with a grain filler before applying a topcoat produces the smoothest result. The natural surface oils may require a mineral spirits wipe before applying film finishes.
Does zebrawood colour change over time?
Zebrawood's golden-yellow tones darken somewhat with UV exposure, shifting toward a more amber-orange background tone. The dark striping remains relatively stable. UV-inhibiting finishes slow the colour change. The contrast between light and dark areas remains visually strong even after natural colour shift.
Does Windsor Plywood carry zebrawood?
Windsor Plywood carries zebrawood as a specialty exotic hardwood subject to current availability. Contact your local Windsor Plywood branch to confirm whether zebrawood is in stock and in the dimensions required for your project.