The Value of Wood Veneers

What is Wood Veneer?

The art of constructing wood veneer transcends several generations of furniture making, dating back to the ancient Egyptians, and is a wonderful attribute of both antique furniture and modern furniture. Veneer is a term that you've probably heard before, but you may not be quite sure what it is Simply put, veneer is the paper-thin sheet of wood that sometimes covers the surface of furniture and is approximately 1/100- to 1/4-inch thick.

Though it may seem counter-intuitive, wood veneer products actually have three distinct advantages over solid wood construction. Learn intriguing facts about wood veneer. Information that you gain will help you make an informed decision when purchasing furniture.

Wood Veneer Is Decorative

Veneer has a wonderful decorative value, such as with walnut burl and ebony veneers. Sometimes mistakenly called the "wood grain," the "figure" is the wavy pattern or design naturally formed when wood is cut. It is often difficult to capture the figure in the lumbering process, which is why veneer manufacturing is so important. In addition, the grain of many types of wood is so structurally weak that the figure warps or splits. By using veneer, furniture makers are able to select the most beautiful aspects of wood to use on the outer surface of the furniture piece.

Wood Veneer Is Cost-Effective

Secondly, veneer captures a wood's natural beauty at a relatively low cost. Some lumber costs thousands of dollars per square foot, making it impractical for furniture making. Using veneers makes it possible to incorporate many rare, hard or exotic types of wood in furniture.

Wood Veneer Is Lightweight and Stable

Many types of wood are extremely heavy, which would make most solid wood furniture unmovable. In addition to being easier to move, furniture constructed with wood veneer is more stable and structurally sound than solid wood. Veneer is comprised of thin sheets of wood glued together using industrial-strength glue, thereby making veneer finishes less prone to the ailments of solid wood, such as splitting, warping, and seasonal changes that cause expansion and contraction.