Lacewood Lumber in Houston – Overview

Lacewood Lumber

Specifications

  • Thicknesses (Commonly Stocked at Houston Hardwoods in): 4/4 and 8/4. We also offer custom milling to your exact specifications (e.g., 1×2, 1×4, 1×6, or other custom dimensions), as well as various options including S4S, S2S, S2S1E, and SLR1E.
  • Species: Panopsis spp. (often referred to as Brazilian Lacewood)
  • Hardness (Janka): 860 lbf
  • Color: Heartwood is typically light reddish-brown or pinkish-brown, with prominent, wide rays that produce a distinctive “lace” or “snake-skin” pattern, ranging from tan to darker brown.
  • Grain: Straight, but the large ray flecks give it a highly figured, coarse texture. Possesses a good natural luster.
  • Workability: Moderately easy to work, though large rays can cause tearout during planing or routing, especially on quarter-sawn surfaces. Glues and finishes well, taking a high polish.
  • Common Uses in Houston: Fine furniture accents, cabinetry panels, decorative veneers, musical instrument components, and turning.

What Makes Lacewood Unique

Lacewood is instantly recognizable and highly prized for its extraordinary and unmistakable figure. Its most striking feature is the dramatic and intricate pattern created by wide, prominent medullary rays, which appear as shimmering, reddish-brown flakes or a “lacy” network across the wood’s surface. This unique visual effect gives it a distinct character unmatched by almost any other wood. Beyond its stunning appearance, Lacewood is moderately hard and offers good workability, making it a favorite for artisans and designers in Houston looking to create eye-catching decorative accents and statement pieces.

Why Choose Lacewood

  • Exceptional Decorative Figure: The prominent ray flecks create a unique “lacy” or “snake-skin” pattern that provides an immediate high-end visual impact.
  • Good Workability: Despite its figure, it is generally easy to cut, shape, and sand, making it accessible for various woodworking projects.
  • Natural Luster: The wood has a natural sheen that enhances the depth and beauty of its unique figure, often requiring less intensive finishing.
  • Moderate Hardness: Offers a good balance of durability for interior applications without being overly challenging to work with.
  • Adds Distinctive Character: Each piece of Lacewood offers a unique variation of its signature pattern, ensuring your projects stand out.

Why You Might Not Choose Lacewood

  • Potential for Tearout: The large ray flecks, while beautiful, can be prone to tearout during planing, routing, or cross-cutting, especially on quarter-sawn stock, requiring very sharp tools and careful technique.
  • Distinct Pattern May Not Suit All Styles: Its bold, busy figure might overpower certain minimalist designs or clash with other strong patterns.
  • Dust Irritation: The sawdust, like many exotics, can sometimes cause skin or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals, necessitating proper ventilation and personal protective equipment in Houston workshops.
  • Splintering Tendency: Can be somewhat brittle or splintery, particularly along the prominent ray lines, requiring careful handling.

Lacewood in the Houston Climate

Acclimation for Best Results

Lacewood performs well in Houston’s humid climate, but like all fine hardwoods, proper acclimation is key. Given our city’s persistent high humidity and fluctuating temperatures, allowing this visually striking wood to stabilize within your indoor workshop or project environment is crucial. This helps ensure its dimensional stability, minimizing the risk of warping or checking, and preserving the intricate beauty of its distinctive figure in your finished pieces.

Ideal for Interior Accent Pieces and Fine Crafts

This wood is an excellent choice for interior projects across Houston homes. Its unique pattern makes it perfect for standout decorative elements in contemporary spaces in Montrose, or elegant cabinetry panels in master bedrooms in Sugar Land. Lacewood’s beauty is best showcased indoors, protected from direct, intense Houston sunlight and outdoor elements, which could potentially cause its colors to mellow over prolonged periods or affect its surface stability.

Color and Grain Stability

The characteristic “lacy” figure of Lacewood remains highly prominent and stable over time. While its light reddish-brown base color may subtly deepen or mellow with age and exposure to light, the striking pattern created by its medullary rays will always be its defining feature. The grain itself is generally stable, holding intricate details well. Applying a high-quality finish will not only protect its surface but also enhance its natural luster, ensuring your Lacewood projects remain captivating additions to Houston homes for years to come.

Popular Lacewood Applications in Houston

Lacewood’s unparalleled decorative figure makes it a highly sought-after material among Houston’s custom furniture makers, cabinet artisans, and specialized woodworkers looking to create truly unique and eye-catching pieces. It’s particularly valued for applications where its distinct pattern can be a focal point.

Popular Applications Include:

  • Fine Furniture Accents: Used for stunning decorative panels on cabinet doors, tabletops, drawer fronts, or inlay work, adding a luxurious touch to custom furniture in River Oaks and Memorial.
  • Custom Cabinetry Panels: Creating distinctive inserts for kitchen or bathroom cabinetry, providing a unique and high-end aesthetic.
  • Decorative Boxes and Jewelry Boxes: Its beautiful figure makes it ideal for crafting exquisite, heirloom-quality boxes that showcase the wood’s natural artistry.
  • Musical Instrument Components: Employed for decorative elements on guitars, ukuleles, or other instruments where its unique pattern adds visual appeal.
  • Turning Projects: Highly valued by woodturners for creating artistic bowls, pens, and other small decorative items that highlight its shimmering figure.
  • Wall Paneling and Room Dividers: Used for feature walls or decorative screens in high-end residential or commercial spaces, particularly in downtown Houston lofts or upscale offices.

Current Design Trends Featuring Lacewood:

  • Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern Revivals: Its bold, geometric-like pattern fits well with these classic decorative styles.
  • Statement Pieces: Incorporated into custom furniture or architectural elements designed to be a visual centerpiece in a room.
  • Eclectic Interiors: Blends beautifully into spaces that mix textures, patterns, and global influences.
  • High-End Custom Builds: Sought after by designers and homeowners in areas like The Woodlands and Cypress looking for unique, luxurious materials to personalize their spaces.

Looking for Lacewood for Your Next Project?

We stock this visually stunning wood in 4/4 and 8/4 thicknesses and can custom mill to your exact needs. Whether you’re crafting unique furniture accents, elegant cabinetry, or beautiful turned pieces, our team is here to help you pick the right material.

Visit Houston Hardwoods or contact us to check availability, request a quote, or discuss your project plans.