veneer facts

VENEERING IS AN ANCIENT ART FORM

Historically veneers date back to nearly 4000 years ago, when ancient Egyptians used veneers on their furniture and mummy coffins. They are believed to be the pioneers in using wood veneers. During the 17th century the crafting of veneers became more refined as the tools became more modern and developed.

Thinner and thinner blades were developed which made cutting thinner sheets of veneer possible, thus resulting in more technical designs and inlays of veneers. By the 18th century,​ the cutting of veneers had improved dramatically leading to changes in the construction of the veneer patterns.

By the end of the 19th century, thin inlay veneer was so popular and formed an integral part of furniture decoration. By this time, manufacturers began to produce plywood. Today the advancement of technology for slicing veneers is of the highest standards, giving you the user the edge on good quality veneers.

THE FRIENDLY SIDE OF VENEER

Because trees are vital to the environment, veneer is a more ecologically friendly wood product, reducing the use of lumber and saving trees while still providing a quality wood finish.

Veneers reduce the harvest of both common and exotic woods. Using veneer extends the use of a piece of timber. Veneer is not cut, but sliced with a knife, therefore there is minimal waste and no saw dust.

Furniture made with veneer uses far less wood than the same piece made with solid wood.

Also known as one-sided, offers the veneer specie​ and grade you require on the face of the board with a backing veneer of similar colour on the back of the board.

Also referred to as two-sided, is a veneer board with the same veneer specie and grade on the face as well as the back of the board.
A veneer board with the same veneer specie on both sides of the boards, the face on the one side and the mismatched back on the other side. Mismatch refers to a backer which is the same specie as the face, but where the individual leaves of the layon will not match each other thus giving you a mismatch effect (due to a change in log).
The veneer is sliced perpendicular to the growth rings which creates a straight grain appearance. Commonly known as quarters, straight grain or striped veneer.
The veneer is sliced across the growth rings, giving the veneer a flowery pattern often referred to as “crown cut”.
A log is turned against a blade cutting the veneer wider, like unwinding a roll of paper, thus supplying you with a complete layon sized veneer.
Veneer leaves lay side by side so that the figure pattern is repeated.
Book matched leaves are a mirrored image of each other, as if you would open a book where the two sides are exactly the same.

1 ft – 305 mm 
2 ft – 610 mm
3 ft – 915 mm
4 ft – 1220 mm
5 ft – 1525 mm
6 ft – 1830 mm
7 ft – 2135 mm
8 ft – 2440 mm
9 ft – 2750 mm
10 ft – 3050 mm