Afrormosia

Afrormosia is typically used as a Teak substitute. This species is yellow to brown in color, similar to Teak, without the natural oils that Teak contains. Afrormosia is a dense species that is durable enough to withstand the extremes in an exterior application. The grain pattern is straight to interlocked with a yellow color that turns orange-brown with exposure to the elements.

Andiroba

This Central and South American species has a straight to interlocked grain that is reddish brown in color. Machining and finishing characteristics are great due to the medium density of the wood. Andiroba can be used as a substitute for Genuine Mahogany, Spanish Cedar, or other South American species. Movement of this species may make it a less desirable Mahogany substitute.

Anegre

Anegre's straight and fiddleback grain pattern make this species an architect's favorite. Anegre has a fine texture that has fair machining and poor finishing characteristics, which make it a woodworker's challenge. This African species has a pinkish tan color that is lustrous when finished correctly.

Banak

Banak is also referred to as Virola that grows in South America. It has straight grain and a coarse texture that is pinkish-brown in color. Banak can be used as a Mahogany or Spanish Cedar substitute. It is also attractive to all wood boring insects. It is recommended that Banak be treated prior to producing millwork or woodworking projects.

Beech, European

European Beech grows in the U.K., Europe, and Western Asia. It contains very little white sapwood with the majority being a pale pinkish heartwood. European Beech is also hard, stiff and brittle with straight and closed grain. Most European Beech sold in the U.S. is steamed to darken the color of the wood. It is most commonly sold as an Alder substitute due to the similar color.

Birch, Chinese and Fancy

Birch and Fancy faced plywood from China try to follow Domestic face and back grades. The core is a Chinese Poplar that is less stable than domestic plywood, although the Chinese are getting better at machine drying the core and holding the tolerances. The face and back veneers of the Birch are usually cut from Russian logs, while the other fancies are usually cut from the logs of origin. For instance, Sapele faces come from imported African logs while Cherry faces come from imported American logs. Most species are available with Rotary Cut Whole Piece Faces and Backs. The core has more plys than the typical Domestic plywood. These panels are available with Moisture Resistant glue. These Chinese Fancies are used as substitutes to our domestic panels. Birch panels are being used for Painted products, White Birch is being used for Stained products, and the other Fancies are being used in the place of our Domestic plywood. Most of these products are being used in the construction of Cabinets, Store Fixtures, Closets, Entertainment Centers, and other furniture applications.

Birch, Russian

Russian Birch is a white wood, with a more open grain than domestic Birch, and slightly less dense than domestic Birch. This multi layer panel has excellent strength and stability. Russian manufacturers produce this panel in 5’ x 5’ dimensions, but is available in 4’ x 8’ in some of Hood Distribution branches or by Special Order. This panel is available with Moisture Resistant glue. Russian Birch is commonly used in the construction of drawer boxes. This multi layer core produces an attractive top edge without having to edgeband the top edge of the drawer box. Russian Birch is produced in the following grades:

B face grade is rarely patched with oval shaped veneer, lightly sanded, and is rotary cut whole piece.

BB face grade has some patches, lightly sanded, and is also rotary cut whole piece.

CP face grade has some open defects and patches, lightly sanded, and can be rotary-spliced.

Bubinga

Most Bubinga sold is flat sawn or quarter-sliced to keep the consistent, straight grain appearance. It is a product of West Africa that contains a dark reddish brown color. Bubinga does contain sap pockets occasionally and is heavy in weight. It has good machining and finishing characteristics.

Cedar, Spanish

Spanish Cedar is a product of Mexico, South and Central America that has a reddish brown color. It has straight to wavy grain with a cedar-like odor. Spanish Cedar has good exterior qualities and relatively soft texture. It is most commonly used as a Genuine Mahogany substitute because of the similar grain pattern and the easy workability.

Cerejeira

Cerejeira grows in Brazil, South and Central America. It is heavy in weight with coarse, irregular grain patterns. Cerejeira is medium brown to orange in color. It machines good and finishes excellent. This species is usually used to accent furniture pieces or architectural center pieces of furniture.

Chestnut, European

European Chestnut grows in the U.K., Europe and Asia. It has a light brown color with straight to spiral grain. European Chestnut is medium weight, strong and coarse textured. The machining and finishing characteristics are excellent.

Cocobolo

Cocobolo only grows in Central America. The color varies from yellow to red to orange or even black. This species has irregular, interwoven grain that is heavy, dense, and strong. Machining is excellent, but finishing can be a challenge when producing a piece from Cocobolo.

Ebony

Ebony grows in the Celebes Islands and is also known as Indian Ebony. The grain is straight to wavy with fine uniform texture. Ebony is very dense, heavy and hard with a dark brown to black color streaked with pale brown color. Because of the extreme density, this species is very hard to machine. Ebony is usually sold by the pound instead of being sold by the board foot like other hardwoods. The extremely high cost and low availability forces us to use this species to accent furniture pieces without manufacturing an entire piece from Ebony.

Goncalo Alves

This species grows in a region that stretches from Brazil to Mexico. Goncalo Alves is heavy and very dense with an irregular grain pattern. It has a medium texture with reddish-brown color. Machining and finishing characteristics are excellent. This species is most often used in the manufacturing of Long-Bows.

Imbuia

Imbuia is more commonly known as Brazilian Walnut. This rich brown species is grown in Brazil. The grain is wavy and the wood is durable. The fine texture of Imbuia is excellent for machining and finishing. Most Imbuia is available in Burl form.

Jarrah

Jarrah is grown in Australia. It has a consistent brownish-red color with darker brown flecks caused by a natural fungus on Jarrah. This species is difficult to machine due to its coarse texture and interlocked grain. When it is machined correctly, Jarrah has good finishing properties. It is heavy in weight and has moderate strength.

Jatoba

Brazilian Cherry is the common name for Jatoba. It grows in Central and South America with a red to dark brown color that has a golden luster when finished. Jatoba is also difficult to machine because of the extreme density and coarse texture. Jatoba is tough and resilient, making it a great choice for flooring or decking applications.

Lacewood

Lacewood grows in Australia and is usually quarter sliced to yield the flaky grain look, hence the “lace” look. The “lace” appearance is usually another of the Architect’s favorites. It is light red in color that is heavy and hard. The machining and finishing properties are excellent. Because of the extremely low supply, Satinwood is usually used as a substitute for Lacewood.

Mahogany, African

African Mahogany is also known as Khaya and grows in Africa. The color varies from a light to a dark reddish-brown, making it a great substitute for Honduras Mahogany. The grain is interlocked to straight, usually producing a “ribbon” appearance. The workability is great with excellent finishing properties.

Mahogany, Honduras

Genuine Mahogany is the common name for Honduras Mahogany, which grows in Central and South America. The grain is straight to interlocked with slightly coarse texture that is highly figured when cut into veneer form. The limited availability of this species is due to relatively new trade laws that have forced everyone to look for suitable substitutes. Because Honduras Mahogany is very durable in an exterior application and is great to machine and finish, it is a favorite of all woodworkers.

Makore

Also known as African Cherry, Makore often has a blister figure making it an appealing species for any architectural millwork. It grows in West Africa and has a straight grain that is fine in texture. The color varies from a pinkish-red to a reddish-brown. Makore is difficult to machine due to the density, which also makes this species heavy in weight. The blister figure is a challenge when finishing this species also.

Meranti

Meranti has an open grain similar to Mahogany. It is brownish/pink in color with a Meranti or Tropical Hardwood core. Meranti is a product of Malaysia or Indonesia. These panels are usually Rotary Cut, Whole Piece Face with a Whole Piece or Spliced back. Meranti is one of the most stable of import panels. Availability of this product varies due to logging restrictions or lack of logs in these two countries, driving the cost up. Meranti is available with Moisture Resistant or Exterior glue. Meranti is used as the substrate for countertops or plastic laminate cabinets when a veneer product is specified. It is also used in the construction of cabinet boxes, soffit of homes, and patterns. Meranti is one of the original substitutes for domestic plywood.

Obeche

Obeche is commonly known as Ayous and grows in West Africa. It has an interlocked grain with fine texture and white to pale yellow color. Obeche is a great option for the boxes of cabinets that will be faced with a light colored hardwood. It is also light in weight and somewhat soft. Machining and finishing properties are good.

Okoume

Okoume is pink in color on the face and back. Face veneers are usually Rotary Cut, Whole Piece Face. The core is a Chinese Poplar that typically has more layers than other imports. For instance, an 18mm panel will have 13 plys versus a 7 or 9 ply product from other countries. Having a Poplar core makes this product less stable than a tropical hardwood core. Okoume is available with Moisture Resistant glue or Marine glue. Okoume is most commonly used in the construction of the cabinet boxes. Okoume is a good substitute for Meranti, Virola, or Faveria plywood. Cost of Okoume makes this product more attractive than other import plywood.

Padauk, African

Padauk grows in Central and West Africa. It is blood red to purplish in color that develops red streaks during exposure. The grain is straight and consistent with a medium texture, making another architect favorite. Padauk is heavy in weight and strong with excellent machining properties and good finishing properties.

Pine

Import Pine plywood can be a Radiata Pine, Elliotis Pine, Pirana Pine, or other tropical Pine species. Import Pine is similar in color to our domestic Southern Yellow Pine with a more closed grain. Import Pine does not produce as much sap as our domestic Pine. Import Pine sands to a smooth finish, but still has stability flaws like domestic Pine. Most import Pine is imported from South America or Chile. Import Pine plywood is used in the construction of painted cabinets and furniture pieces. It is utilized where it is not visibly seen, for reinforcement of the cabinet box. Import Pine panels are also used in the upholstered furniture industry.

Purpleheart

Purpleheart is commonly known as violetwood because of its deep purple-violet color. It grows in Central and South America. Purpleheart has a straight grain that can be wavy with a moderate texture. This species is difficult to machine and finish due to density of the wood.

Rosewood

Rosewood is a dark purple to brown color species that is grown in India. It has a straight to interlocked grain with a coarse texture that is difficult to machine. Once machined properly, Rosewood will finish excellent. It is also a very dense and hard species.

Sande

Sande grows in Central America and is used as an alternative to Meranti or Virola. The color is pale to brown with straight to interlocked grain. The coarse texture of this wood is difficult to finish but machines excellent.

Sapele

Sapele grows in Africa and is most commonly used as a Honduras Mahogany substitute. The color is medium to dark reddish-brown that has a well defined ribbon stripe. The grain is straight, sometimes wavy and fine textured. Sapele has excellent finishing and machining properties.

Satinwood

Satinwood is most commonly used as a Lacewood substitute. It grows in Sri Lanka, Central and South India. The heartwood is golden with darker streaks and interlocked grain. When quarter sliced, Satinwood produces a flaky appearance similar to Lacewood. It is difficult to machine due to the density and hardness, but finishes excellent.

Sen

Sen is most commonly known as Japanese Ash. Sen grows in China, Japan, and Sri Lanka. It has straight grain that is yellow to brown in color. Sen has a coarse texture that is difficult to machine and finish. Sen is most often used as a low-cost Ash substitute.

Sipo

Sipo grows in Africa and is an excellent substitute for Pattern grade Honduras Mahogany. Sipo is heavy and hard with a consistent interlocked grain that is medium textured. As Sipo matures, the heartwood will change from a pinkish-brown color to a deep red-brown color. Machining and finishing are good. It is often sold as African Mahogany or Sapele.

Teak

Teak is grown in Burma, Southeast Asia, and India. It has a rich, golden-brown color that is sometimes wavy. Teak is heavy and dense with a coarse texture, making it difficult to machine and finish. Teak is most commonly used in the manufacturing of outdoor furniture and wooden boats or boat parts. Teak has natural oils that make it the best choice for exterior millwork projects. Teak grows in limited area of the countries listed above, causing low availability and high costs.

Virola and Faveria

Virola is a specie from South America that has an open grain similar to Meranti plywood, but varies in color from light to dark or with dark streaks. Faveria is a White Virola that does not vary in color like the Virola. Both are tropical hardwoods that are fairly stable, with the core also constructed of tropical hardwoods. Most Virola and Faveria panels have Rotary Cut, Whole Piece Face veneers with Whole Piece or Spliced backs. Both of these products are available with Moisture Resistant glue. These panels are also used in the construction of cabinet boxes. They are also a great substitute for Meranti plywood. Since they do have tropical hardwood cores that are machine dried, they are relatively stable.

Wenge

Wenge grows in Zaire, Gaboon, and the Cameroon Republic. Availability is low, driving our industry to seek out alternatives. The color is dark, dark brown with almost black veins in the coarse textured, straight grain. Wenge is very heavy, hard, and dense making it difficult to machine and finish.

Zebrawood

Zebrawood grows in West Africa, Gaboon, and the Cameroon Republic. The heartwood is light golden with dark brown veins. The zebra-like stripes are produced when the log is quarter sliced. The grain is lustrous, interlocked and wavy with a coarse texture. Zebrawood is difficult to machine and finish due to the coarse texture and heavy, hard characteristics.