Walnut plywood features the face veneer of American black walnut (Juglans nigra), the premier domestic specialty hardwood. Highly prized for its rich, dark coloration, beautiful grain patterns, and exceptional durability, it is the top choice for high-end cabinetry, furniture, and architectural millwork seeking a luxurious, contemporary, or classic look. The properties below generally refer to American Black Walnut, the face veneer used in this plywood:
- Janka Rating: Walnut averages 1,010 lbf (pounds-force). This places it among the softer true hardwoods, but it is excellent for stability and shock resistance, making it highly durable for fine furniture.
- Color/Appearance: Heartwood is a distinctive deep chocolate brown to purplish-black, sometimes with darker streaks. The color is highly sought after and often contrasted with lighter creamy sapwood streaks.
- Grain/Texture: The grain is usually straight, but can be irregular or wavy, especially near the root. The texture is medium, with a moderate natural luster that contributes to its rich appearance.
- Rot Resistance: Rated as very durable (heartwood) and highly resistant to insect attack. Walnut is one of the most durable domestic hardwoods, though plywood is strictly recommended for interior applications.
- Workability: Excellent. It works well with both hand and power tools and holds screws and nails well. It takes finishes and polishes exceptionally well, resulting in a lustrous, smooth surface.
- Odor: Distinctive, but mild or virtually odorless once dried and processed.
- Common Uses: High-end furniture, architectural woodwork, luxury cabinetry, veneer, gunstocks, musical instruments, and dashboard veneer.
To help you plan and execute your premium projects, here is specific information on Walnut plywood's applications, durability, and common sizing:
What is walnut plywood used for? Walnut plywood is reserved for high-visibility, premium interior applications where the rich color and striking grain of the wood are meant to be the focal point. It is widely used for:
- Luxury Cabinetry: Kitchen and vanity cabinet doors, exposed ends, and open shelving.
- Architectural Millwork: Interior wall paneling, conference room tables, and executive desks.
- Custom Furniture: Building large case goods like dressers, entertainment centers, and credenzas where solid walnut lumber would be cost-prohibitive.
- Modern Design: Its dark color is highly popular in contemporary and mid-century modern furniture pieces.
Is walnut plywood strong? Yes, Walnut plywood is very strong, particularly in terms of structural integrity and stability.
- Surface Durability: While the Walnut face veneer (1,010 lbf Janka) is softer than Maple or Oak, it offers excellent shock resistance and holds up well to typical furniture use.
- Structural Strength: As a plywood panel, it offers superior dimensional stability compared to solid walnut boards, meaning it resists warping and checking. The multi-ply core (often MDF or veneer core) provides excellent screw-holding capacity and rigidity, which is crucial for building sturdy cabinets and furniture boxes.
How thick is walnut plywood? Walnut plywood is commonly available in a range of standard cabinet-grade thicknesses. While stock varies, common nominal thicknesses you can expect to find include:
- 1/4-in (actual thickness approx. 5.2 mm or 0.20 in) - Ideal for drawer bottoms and cabinet back panels.
- 1/2-in (actual thickness approx. 12 mm or 0.47 in) - Used for lighter shelving and case construction.
- 3/4-in (actual thickness approx. 18 mm or 0.71 in) - The standard for structural cabinetry, cabinet doors, and heavy-duty shelving.
Edensaw Woods (
Edensaw.com) is your local wood plywood and panels supplier and local specialty lumber and wood supplier for the Pacific Northwest, providing beautiful Walnut plywood for your most discerning projects. Based in Port Townsend-Tacoma, Washington, we serve the entire nearby Pacific Northwest region, ensuring you have access to a wide selection of top-quality
wood panels and plywood for any application, whether cabinet grade or architectural. Our extensive inventory of
wood panels and plywood includes Walnut, alongside options such as:
Alder,
Ash,
Beech,
Birch,
Birch (Prefin),
Cherry,
Cherry (Prefin),
Fir,
Hickory,
Khaya,
Maple,
Poplar,
Red Oak,
Sapele,
Shop,
Tennessee Cedar,
Walnut,
White Oak, and
assorted plywood and panels.
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