Veneer wood, a thin layer of sliced wood, is often used to imitate the appearance of finished wood on interior trim. The wood is often chopped thinner than 1/8 inch and glued onto a low-cost substrate. Simply put, a substrate is a base layer. Here, a cheaper veneer, paper, or plastic might serve as the substrate. One-eighth of an inch is roughly the average final thickness of veneer wood. With the use of a rotary lathe, logs of wood are sliced into thin sheets to create the veneer. This method requires a lot of careful labour. When the log is suspended between two blocks, the veneer is cut off using a rotary lathe to produce long, thin strips of wood. A substrate will then be covered with this veneer.
See also: Laminates: Know all about its types, price, maintenance and uses
The flexibility of veneer wood
Despite their typical use in building and construction, flexible veneer woods’ adaptability extends well beyond these conventional uses. Both full-veneer wood interiors and veneer used to highlight other materials are commonplace in the work of architects and designers. Veneer woods are used by several high-end shops for their store fixtures. Companies specialising in lighting, signs, audiophile speakers, instruments, recreational vehicles, aeroplanes, and bespoke yachts have all found uses for this adaptable material. In recent years, veneer wood has become more popular in the DIY and craft industries.
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Natural wood veneer
Natural wood veneers are comprised of thin wood slices made by rotary cutting or slicing of the log. These veneers bring a natural look but their appearance depends on the way a log has been cut.
Engineered wood veneer
Engineered wood veneers are designed from artificial wooden sheets sliced, dyed in vats and joined together into blocks forming unique patterns.
Backed wood veneers
Wood backed veneers comprise two wood veneer faces combined with the grain of the face running perpendicular to the grain of the back.
Veneer rolls
Wood veneer rolls comprise natural wood veneer strips designed by finger jointing. This helps provide infinite length veneer rolls typically with 0.25mm to 0.8mm standard thickness.
Special and rare veneer
Rare veneers are made of unique wood veneers including exotic species and modern finishings.
Veneer wood: Purpose
Veneer is used for interior trim because it can mimic the appearance of more expensive real wood at a cheaper cost and in less time. Making a bench out of genuine mahogany, for instance, would be prohibitively costly. However, by using cheaper wood like plywood and covering it with a thin veneer to make it seem like mahogany, the bench can be created for a fraction of the price. After being fabricated, the veneer is finished by sanding with sandpaper and then tinted to mimic the appearance of finely stained real wood. It is ideal for those on a tighter budget or more concerned about their impact on the environment, as well as those searching for more easily transportable items.
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Veneer wood: Advantages
A veneer wood may assist in enhancing a product’s solidity, which is perhaps the most significant and noticeable benefit. Veneer, which is constructed from thin layers of wood held together with glue, greatly reduces the risks of warping and splitting, which may occur with regular wood. The total product is strengthened by the inclusion of this glue. Many people nowadays value veneers made from recycled wood because of this quality. Using wood in construction results in less waste of energy and less pollution; therefore, it’s a win for the planet.
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Veneer wood: Disadvantages
Fiberboard, on which veneer woods are applied, is not as weighty as solid wood boards, and veneer woods may easily absorb liquids if they are not treated with a surface polish. Further, if damaged, veneer wood may be difficult or expensive to restore, unlike solid wood.
Difference between solid wood and veneer
- You may weigh it or pick it up by one end and see how much it weighs. If it’s made of solid wood, the furniture will be cumbersome and tough to relocate. If it’s veneer, you’ll notice a weight difference.
- Analyse the texture. It’s probably veneer if you can’t feel the ridges and raisings of the natural grain.
- Check for variations in the grain pattern. To tell whether an item is made of veneer, see if the grain pattern is consistent across both surfaces. If, on the other hand, you don’t see any particularly interesting patterns or symmetrical sides, it’s probably made of wood.
FAQs
Can veneer wood be stained?
Yes, you can use wood paint to stain veneer that hasn't been varnished or treated. Before you put the stain on, you'll need to sand down the wood's surface to make it smooth and get rid of dust and wood flakes. Once the surface is smooth, wipe it down with a very slightly damp cloth to pick up any remaining specks.
Is veneer cheap wood?
Professional designers often use veneer wood to improve the look of things like desks, tables, dressers, nightstands, kitchen cabinets, and more. It is also much cheaper than other options.
What does veneered wood mean?
In woodworking, a veneer is a paper thin slice of wood that is put on both sides of a strong core surface, like furniture-grade MDF or substrate material, to seal and stabilise it. This is very important when making built-in furniture or anything with a mechanism.
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