When you come across the word Veneer, you may contemplate of a
Low-grade, laminate slice of wood featuring a wood grain pattern. However, the actuality is that not every veneer is sub-par.
A lot of veneers are crafted from real, costly timber and its use is typically necessary for a lot of woodworking processes.
Wood veneer is a durable and environmentally friendly choice for finishing your home project, keeping the quality of work, and providing you with financial savings.
Keep reading to understand all you need to know about veneers.
What is Veneer?
In terms of woodworking, a slender slice of wood attached to another material is what a veneer is. Normally, this material can be a distinct kind of wood, a type of fiberboard, or even particleboard.
For instance, plywood is crafted from multiple sheets of veneer adhered to form a piece of timber.
Veneers can be the finest, and real wood is used to craft them. But, there are veneers that are fake that negatively impact its public image. Such veneers are usually crafted out of cheap laminate which is covered with a wood pattern.
Wood veneers and laminate veneers are different and it’s crucial to understand the difference between both since it’s impossible to stain laminate whereas it’s possible to stain wood products.
Veneers cause the least possible damage to the environment. Furthermore, veneers are a great option for homeowners who have a limited budget as well. They offer homeowners a way to display the finest or unique woods without spending a fortune.
Veneer Serves What Purpose?
Veneers are used for a variety of purposes. Among the prevalent uses of veneer are to craft:
- Decorative surfaces
- Plywood
- Panels of cabinet
- Furniture
- Flooring
- Doors
The following techniques require the use of veneers in woodworking.
Parquetry
It is a sort of wood flooring crafted from strips of veneer that are adhered into a decorative pattern. Parquetry adds a fascinating and textured look to a room and is perfect for people on a budget.
Book-matched wood
Bookmatching is a prevalent practice in which two wood surfaces are matched forming symmetrical wood grain patterns. In this technique, there are two wood surfaces that mirror each other, similar to a book’s front cover and back cover. This woodworking technique is often adopted for:
- Walls
- Panels
- Cabinets
- Furniture
- Doors
- Tables
This is an example in which veneers are preferred over solid wood since veneers must be sliced from a block of wood in specific areas for attaining the bookmatched appearance.
Marquetry
There is a similar process for marquetry and parquetry- in order to form a pattern, mini, sliced slices of veneer are utilized. But, parquetry consists of veneers forming the object itself, patterns applied to another surface are what it entails for marquetry.
This technique is usually adopted to form elaborate patterns over wooden floors, jewelry boxes, furniture, and more.
Wood Veneers: Types and Differences
Wood veneers are available in a range of materials, styles, and cuts.
Raw Veneer
A raw veneer is the best option if you choose to utilize real wood. As raw veneers can be crafted from almost any kind of wood, they come at most prices. Moreover, it’s possible to display both sides of the piece as they lack backing. Whether you choose to purchase an existing assembled to-size raw veneer, you should prefer a laid-up veneer.
Paperback Veneer
Paperback veneer is exactly what it sounds like. It is composed of a permanent paper backing. It is perfect for curved/small projects since the paper stabilizes the wood and makes it more pliable.
Moreover, having a paperback makes this veneer more convenient for beginners to handle. The water-resistant phenolic veneer is the best way to go, whether your veneer will be in a humid environment, namely a washroom.
Reconstituted Veneer
This veneer type is crafted out of raw wood. Until it acquires a specific grain pattern, it is stained and treated to achieve that effect. Normally, it is crafted from poplar, which is an inexpensive wood. Treatment is done on them to look like high-end woods, making it an excellent option for large projects namely wall paneling or cabinets. The rotary cut veneer causes the least possible damage to the environment since it safeguards unique wood species.
Advantages of Veneers
In contrast to solid wood, there are a few significant upsides to veneers.
Durability
The way wood veneer is constructed can protect from the splitting, warping, and cracking that solid wood is prone to.
Cost
Usually, you can save money by using wood veneer- which is by utilizing economical wood for the base whereas displaying the high-priced wood on the outside.
Availability
As mentioned before, when compared to utilizing solid wood, you will encounter lesser issues with obtaining hardwood in lesser numbers.
Environmentally Friendly
Utilizing a plank of wood as a veneer increases the number of purposes the wood can be used for.
Zero-waste
Rather than throwing away the leftover trim from a work, it’s possible to recycle small wood pieces into veneer.
Stability
In contrast to solid wood, moisture is not readily absorbed and expelled from veneer. Due to this, they are less likely to warp or deform with time. Temperature fluctuations and humidity are not an issue for them.
Aesthetic Flexibility
Being an adorning element of woodwork, they can form an extensive variety of looks for your project. Several kinds of matching namely grain and sequence matching according to the Wooden patterns.
Should I Use Veneer Over Solid Wood?
For veneers, decorative surfaces like the sides of cabinets and chest of drawers are ideal. As veneer lets, you form the appearance of uniform wood grain you need to use veneers on things in which you need greater control over the appearance of the wood. For instance, tabletop, desk, or cabinet.
Also, when compared to regular wood, veneers are less susceptible to chip, enlarge or warp. A veneer can be a great option for a surface that is likely to be exposed to the weather. But, it’s quite harder to repair and refinish veneers. Also, they don’t last in spots with immense traffic, like hallways or staircases. Solid wood is recommended in these places.
What is the Process of Making Veneer?
A lot of wood mills start their plywood manufacturing process by manufacturing wood veneers. The veneer is really a slender sheet of a woodcut by rotary cutting or slicing done on a log.
Variations in veneer patterns result from the way the log is cut or the angle of the cut. In the same order, as they are sliced, the veneers are placed. This implies that when the slices are arranged into the veneer they’re in order.
Woodzone Timber Trading LLC, One of the Leading Veneer Suppliers in UAE
Woodzone Timber Trading LLC is a trusted Wood Veneer Suppliers in UAE.
With its inception in 2018, Wood Zone Timber Trading LLC set out itself to be a leading Building Materials Company in Dubai.
Woodzone’s Dubai Timber Building Materials is the first choice for quality, cost-effectiveness, and value. Get in touch with Woodzone Timber Trading LLC for our products priced competitively.