Wood for Intarsia: The Complete Species Guide
The pattern provides the skeleton, but your wood choices give it a soul. This guide covers every species commonly used in intarsia — color profiles, grain characteristics, workability, and what to use each wood for.
Light Woods
Mid-Tone Woods
Dark Woods
Sourcing Your Wood
Buy kiln-dried. Air-dried stock continues to move seasonally — kiln-dried is dimensionally stable and ready to cut immediately.
Minimum ¾" thickness. Most intarsia patterns are designed for ¾" (nominal) stock. Thinner pieces limit how much elevation you can achieve.
Buy extra. For any piece where grain direction matters, buy 2–3× the measured area so you can orient the grain correctly and still have waste allowance.
Inspect for defects near cut lines. A knot in the centre of a large piece is fine; a knot right where a tight curve needs to run will blow out on the saw. Plan your layout before cutting.
Source locally first. Local hardwood dealers often carry off-cuts perfect for intarsia at a fraction of full-board prices. Online dealers (Woodcraft, Rockler, Bell Forest Products) are excellent for exotic species.
Quick Reference Table
| Species | Tone | Hardness | Best For | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard Maple | Light cream | 1450 Janka | Highlights, faces | Easy |
| Butternut | Honey cream | 490 Janka | Pale mid areas | Easy |
| Wild Cherry | Warm amber | 995 Janka | Fur, skin tones | Easy |
| Osage Orange | Electric gold | 2040 Janka | Bright focal pieces | Moderate |
| Lacewood | Reddish tan | 840 Janka | Textured subjects | Moderate |
| Black Walnut | Deep brown | 1010 Janka | Shadows, dark areas | Easy |
| Wenge | Near black | 1630 Janka | Dramatic contrast | Difficult |
Ready to choose a pattern?
Browse our intarsia library — each pattern includes wood species recommendations for every piece.