4,700+ sold · 100% feedback · US-based
Zebrawood earns its name honestly, bold dark streaks running through a golden brown ground in a pattern that genuinely looks like it belongs on the animal. If you want zebrawood veneer sheets for a graphic, unmistakable panel, this is real wood veneer worth having on hand.
We cut and sell zebrawood veneer by the square foot in small, maker-friendly sizes.
What is zebrawood veneer?
Zebrawood veneer is a thin slice of real wood, Microberlinia brazzavillensis, native to West and Central Africa. Slicing it thin stretches a slower growing, narrow range tree across many sheets, so a single log covers far more surface than the same wood sawn into solid boards. Because it is genuine wood veneer, not a printed laminate, it sands, stains, and finishes exactly like the solid board it came from.
Quick facts
Origin: West and Central Africa
Color: Pale golden brown background with bold, dark blackish brown streaks
Grain / figure: Strongly striped, straight to wavy depending on the cut
Cut: Plain sliced
Janka hardness: About 1,830 lbf
Thickness: We stock 1/45 inch raw and thicker options
Backing: Raw, or paper backed veneer on request
Workability: Good, though wavy grain sections can tear out
Sold: By the square foot, ready to ship
Appearance and figure
Zebrawood's striped pattern is one of the most recognizable in the wood world, dark, almost black streaks running through a warm golden brown ground in a rhythm that reads as bold and graphic rather than subtle. Depending on how a given sheet is cut, the stripes can run fairly straight or take on a gentle wave, but the high contrast look stays constant.
[Buy zebrawood veneer on eBay →]
Working and finishing tips
Zebrawood cuts cleanly with a sharp razor knife, though the interlocked or wavy grain that sometimes accompanies the stripe figure can tear out if cut against the flow. Test a scrap corner before committing to a full sheet. It presses and glues normally with standard wood glue or contact cement.
A clear finish is the standard choice, it lets the natural stripe contrast do all the visual work without muddying it with stain.
Honest cautions.
- Wavy grain sections can tear out. Check cutting direction on a test piece first, especially near the darker streaks.
- Supply is naturally limited. Zebrawood grows slowly within a fairly narrow African range, so it costs more than faster growing domestics. That scarcity is exactly why slicing it into veneer, rather than using it as solid lumber, is the responsible choice.
- Avoid heavy stain. A clear finish keeps the natural stripe contrast crisp; stain tends to blur the line between light and dark bands.
Best uses
- Statement panels and box lids. The stripe pattern is the entire selling point, best shown as a clean, uninterrupted surface.
- Furniture accents and marquetry stripes. A bold graphic element in a larger design. See Veneer for Boxes & Marquetry.
- Guitar bodies as an accent. A distinctive alternative for makers who want something visually different. See Veneer for Guitars & Luthiers.
For another bold, graphically striped exotic, compare our Bocote. Browse the full Wood Veneer Types pillar or head to the Shop.
Sustainability and sourcing
Zebrawood is a slower growing species from a fairly narrow African range, so supply is naturally limited. It is not currently CITES listed. That scarcity is exactly why veneer, not solid lumber, is the responsible way to use it, a single log sliced thin stretches into far more finished surface than the same wood cut into solid boards.
Available now on eBay
Every sheet below is a live WoodCycle listing. We are US-based and ship fast, usually within one business day.
Frequently asked
Why is zebrawood so striped?
Its natural growth pattern produces alternating dark and light bands that create the signature zebra like stripe figure when sliced.
Is zebrawood veneer hard to work with?
Mostly straightforward, though wavy grain near the darker streaks can tear out. Test cutting direction on scrap first.
What finish works best on zebrawood?
A clear finish, so the natural stripe contrast reads crisply without stain blurring the line between light and dark bands.
Why is zebrawood more expensive than some other exotics?
It grows slowly within a fairly narrow African range, so natural supply is limited compared to faster growing species.
Where does your zebrawood come from?
West and Central African zebrawood, sourced through established veneer suppliers. It is not CITES listed.
Need another species for the project?
Browse the full species library or shop live listings on eBay.